After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection, Volume 2 w/ Primary Source Investigator CD

by James West Davidson

For more than twenty-five years, After the Fact has provided a time-tested, innovative approach to guiding students through American history and the methods used to study it. In dramatic episodes that move chronologically through American history, this best-selling book examines a broad variety of topics like oral evidence, photographs, ecological data, films and television programs, church and town records, census data, and novels. Whether for the introductory survey or for a historical methods course, After the Fact is the ideal text for any instructor who wants to introduce his or her students to what it is that historians actually do when studying American history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

James West Davidson is a historian, writer, and wilderness paddler. He received his Ph.D. in American history from Yale University and writes full time. He is also co-editor, with Michael Stoff, of New Narratives in American History, a series published by Oxford University Press, as well as the coauthor of textbooks in American history. These include "Experience History," "After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection," and "US: A Narrative History" for the college level and "The American Nation" for the middle grades.

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a college textbook, loaned to me by a friend. However, I found it really interesting as the topic of discussion was history - who writes it, how sources are chosen, how photos, novels, and movies affect our perception of history and more. It really brought home the old adage "history is written by the winners."

[Sharolyn Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a course I'm teaching on historiography. Sometimes too many examples are given in these chapters, but overall it offers excellent methods and theories used in writing history. (American history emphasis)

[Matthew McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is what history is all about!!!

[A.J. Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many vital perspectives shared in this text along with the processes you need to be comfortable with as a historian.

[Victoria Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

lowkey interesting

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too wordy. The author could have drastically condensed the text without losing any content. In addition, the book poorly summarizes and analyzes literature and media during the process of questioning accuracy in historical context. For instance, the author incorrectly points out shortcomings of John Steinbeck's depression era novel The Grapes of Wrath. He criticizes Steinbeck for overlooking improper farming techniques and machines as the key cause of the tragic Dust Bowl. However, nearly every other chapter in The Grapes of Wrath emphasizes and details the modern rise of industrial, mechanized farming, which eroded the dusty, infertile soil. In other words, the author of After the Face points out nonexistent flaws in a classic novel. I imagine the author did this to try to prove that fictional narratives cannot accurately portray historical events. Regardless of whether his theory generally holds true, the sole, drawn-out example he offers contradicts his thesis.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Abbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible book. dont read it.