History: An Introduction to Theory, Method and Practice

by Peter Claus

Why should history students care about theory? What relevance does it have to the "proper" role of the historian?
Historiography and historical theory are often perceived as complex subjects, which many history students find frustrating and difficult. Philosophical approaches, postmodernism, anthropology, feminism or Marxism can seem arcane and abstract and students often struggle to apply these ideas in practice.
Starting from the premise that historical theory and historiography are fascinating and exciting topics to study, Claus and Marriott guide the student through the various historical theories and approaches in a balanced, comprehensive and engaging way. Packed with intriguing anecdotes from all periods of history and supported by primary extracts from original historical writings, An Introduction to Theory, Method and Practice is the student-friendly text which demystifies the subject with clarity and verve.
Key features -
Written in a clear and witty way.
Presents a balanced view of the subject, rather than the polemical view of one historian.
Comprehensive - covers the whole range of topics taught on historiography and historical theory courses in suitable depth.
Full of examples from different historical approaches - from social, cultural and political history to gender, economic and world history
Covers a wide chronological breadth of examples from the ancient and medieval worlds to the twentieth century.
Shows how students can engage with the theories covered in each chapter and apply them to their own studies via the "In Practice" feature at the end of each chapter.
Includes "Discussion Documents" - numerous extracts from the primary historiographical texts for students to read and reflect upon.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

478 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2012

Reviews

[Enya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic for an undergraduate history student wanting to know the basics or for a very keen A level student who is thinking about taking history further.

It's very accessible and its range of examples means it will appeal to all history students. It's also brilliantly laid out and is well worth reading from cover to cover as it makes even the most dull-sounding topics quite bearable. This was a library copy but I'm hoping to buy a copy to own as soon as I can as it will make a nice little reference book to have around.

[Anna]

Read in preparation for university, pretty hard going at times but not too heavy.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past six months I've read a number of introductions to historiography and this one is by far the most comprehensive and also one of the very best. Claus takes an incredibly thorough look at the subject, beginning with the very first histories by authors such as Herodotus and moving through to the present. No country, era or subject is left unexamined in his expansive study and, once one section's done, he moves on to looking at history with anthropology, literature, geography, you name it. Just when you think the book must be complete the author moves onto yet another area to add more involved study, finally finishing up with an examination of digital archives and oral history. The text is highly accessible and overall this is a pleasure to read, and a must for students.

[Olivia Allbritton · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5
Honestly, for a textbook this was pretty interesting!

[Imam Sihombing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku sejarah yang manis, karena ada beberapa komponen di buku ini yang dijelaskan secara gamblang, terutama tentang kedekatan sejarah dengan berbagai ilmu disipliner lainnya.

Disini aku diajak untuk lebih dalam memahami sejarah publik, kedekatan sejarah dengan feminisme, visualisasi sejarah, kedekatannya dengan sastra, historiografi lisan (Oral Historiography), dan yang paling penting peran sejarah dalam dekolonialisasi atau pendekatan poskolonial, sebagai jantung utama dalam merekonstruksi yang baru, khususnya di Sejarah Indonesia.

Hampir sebagian besar konten buku ini sudah diketahui, namun buku ini sangat mudah dimengerti oleh saya sebagai penutur kedua bahasa Inggris, ada saja AHA Momen saat membaca posisi vital sejarah dalam buku ini.

Terima kasih Peter Claus!

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the subject of history. Very interesting if you are a student of history, or if you want to know how history is "made".