The idea of trust in the author being found in the accuracy of the notes is proven by the converse; when the notes do not show what the author claimed, or are made up of whole cloth. Michael Bellisles' "Guns in America" purported to show that guns were not prevalent in America until after the Civil War(sic). He was given the Bancroft prize, pushed on the NY Times list, and praised by such as Gary Gallagher.

Then some knowledgeable academics began to study his notes and sources. When the facts did not match his conclusions, and he was asked to explain, he said his notes were destroyed in a flood in a basement at Emory University, where he was employed.

The truth began to emerge. He had made up notes and sources, twisted what real sources said about his premise, and fudged statistics. The book was withdrawn, the Bancroft was rescinded, and Emory fired him. A case of "The truth will out". Stan