The Modern Historiography Reader

Routledge Readers in History

by Adam Budd (editor)

In The Modern Historiography Reader , Adam Budd guides readers through European and North American developments in history-writing since the eighteenth century. Starting with Enlightenment history and moving through subjects such as moral history, national history, the emergence of history as a profession, and the impact of scientific principles on history, he then looks at some of the most important developments in twentieth-century historiography such as social history, traumatic memory, postcolonialism, gender history, postmodernism, and the history of material objects. This is the only book that brings together historiographical writing from anthropology, literary theory, philosophy, psychology, and sociology – as well as history. Each of the thirteen thematic sections begins with a clear introduction that familiarizes readers with the topics and articles, setting them in their wider contexts. They explain what historiography is, how historians’ perspectives and sources determine the kinds of questions they ask, and discuss how social and ideological developments have shaped historical writing over the past three centuries. With a glossary of critical terms and reading lists for each section, The Modern Historiography Western Sources is the perfect introduction to modern historiography.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Grad School, Textbooks

560 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2008

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Fighting Words Prerec to History Senior Seminar with Stannish.

Helped me gain a better and deeper understanding of history of history and how history is viewed

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to see a volume with "eastern sources" to even things out in the way of perspective....

[readthescars · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful resource to better understand historiography, the history of historiography, historical schools of thought along with their most relevant authors, and the discourse on the meaning or purpose of history.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Budd compiled excellent source material from 18th century Western Europe and North American historiography through the 21st century's Cultural History (though Intellectual and Imperial histories are absent from this 2010 compilation). Budd's insights and explanations as each chapter's introductions really assisted the reader to understand the premises each selected author portrayed from their historical taxonomy. (I would have never understood Gender History without it!) As a first-time historiography student, the glossary is invaluable and cross-referenced well. Much to my success, this text has aided me in further historical studies.