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The Craft of International History: A Guide to Method
This is a practical guide to the historical study of international politics. The focus is on the nuts and bolts of historical research--that is, on how to use original sources, analyze and interpret historical works, and actually write a work of history. Two appendixes provide sources sure to be indispensable for anyone doing research in this area.
The book does not simply lay down precepts. It presents examples drawn from the author's more than forty years' experience as a working historian. One important chapter, dealing with America's road to war in 1941, shows in unprecedented detail how an interpretation of a major historical issue can be developed. The aim throughout is to throw open the doors of the workshop so that young scholars, both historians and political scientists, can see the sort of thought processes the historian goes through before he or she puts anything on paper. Filled with valuable examples, this is a book anyone serious about conducting historical research will want to have on the bookshelf.
The book does not simply lay down precepts. It presents examples drawn from the author's more than forty years' experience as a working historian. One important chapter, dealing with America's road to war in 1941, shows in unprecedented detail how an interpretation of a major historical issue can be developed. The aim throughout is to throw open the doors of the workshop so that young scholars, both historians and political scientists, can see the sort of thought processes the historian goes through before he or she puts anything on paper. Filled with valuable examples, this is a book anyone serious about conducting historical research will want to have on the bookshelf.
280 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
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About the author
Marc Trachtenberg
12 books8 followersMarc Trachtenberg is currently a Political Science professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
grad-partial-read
February 22, 2026truly masochistic
page 89 has a footnote that I couldn't believe, which takes up at least 75% of the page
Chapters 1-2 were interesting somewhat
Rest of chapters were before Google and AI to search for info.
summary of remaining chapters is just "think about other historians arguments and assertions and verify if they were really true to do your own historical study of documents. Start with a question to ask and investigate it." There is no need to read all of that
TLDR:
"So history is important for the theorist, and theory is important for the historian. To sort out a particular problem, the historian has to do a lot of thinking, and the theoretical literature can provide a certain degree of support. And it’s little short of amazing how much the theorist can learn by studying the historical issues the way they need to be studied—by going into them in some depth and by analyzing historical claims in terms both of their internal logic and of the adequacy of the evidence that supports them."
page 89 has a footnote that I couldn't believe, which takes up at least 75% of the page
Chapters 1-2 were interesting somewhat
Rest of chapters were before Google and AI to search for info.
summary of remaining chapters is just "think about other historians arguments and assertions and verify if they were really true to do your own historical study of documents. Start with a question to ask and investigate it." There is no need to read all of that
TLDR:
"So history is important for the theorist, and theory is important for the historian. To sort out a particular problem, the historian has to do a lot of thinking, and the theoretical literature can provide a certain degree of support. And it’s little short of amazing how much the theorist can learn by studying the historical issues the way they need to be studied—by going into them in some depth and by analyzing historical claims in terms both of their internal logic and of the adequacy of the evidence that supports them."
August 3, 2014
The Craft of International History teaches readers how to conduct historical research. In this book, Marc Trachtenberg promotes the revisionist brand of history and distills the craft of research using a plethora of examples and practical exercises. He describes the method of critical analysis and relates it directly to case studies of popular historical events.
Trachtenberg directs budding researchers to first identify the most important works in the selected field, then analyze that body of work and identify the core arguments and how they are supported.
In addition to the instruction on research, Trachtenberg addresses theories of historical inquiry, critiquing the relative constructivist approach of some historians in the 1960s.
Trachtenberg challenges the reader to conduct thorough research in order to empower oneself with the ability to draw one’s own conclusions about historical issues.
Trachtenberg directs budding researchers to first identify the most important works in the selected field, then analyze that body of work and identify the core arguments and how they are supported.
In addition to the instruction on research, Trachtenberg addresses theories of historical inquiry, critiquing the relative constructivist approach of some historians in the 1960s.
Trachtenberg challenges the reader to conduct thorough research in order to empower oneself with the ability to draw one’s own conclusions about historical issues.
September 10, 2013
Marc Trachtenberg, who has solid credentials as both a historian and political scientist, wrote this book to show the value in bringing the two disciplines together. The book is especially intended for aspiring political scientists who are intimidated by the prospect of doing history. Trachtenberg argues fear is unwarranted; political scientists can gain an adequate grasp of history for their purposes, in a relatively short amount of time, by deliberate and systematic engagement with secondary sources. The book unpacks his method, using a running sample project to illustrate. For a student who is new to serious historical research (like me), the book is an excellent primer.
June 1, 2007
A very useful intro to research. A great book to read as an advanced undergraduate or early grad student before starting a project. If you're looking for practical advice, skip the first chapter on theory.
February 17, 2014
Interesting for political scientists/historians like me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews