There are many stories we can tell about the past, and we are not, perhaps, as free as we might imagine in our choice of which stories to tell, or where those stories end. John Arnold's addition to Oxford's popular Very Short Introductions series is a stimulating essay about how people study and understand history. The book begins by inviting us to think about various questions provoked by our investigation of history, and then explores the ways in which these questions have been answered in the past. Such key concepts as causation, interpretation, and periodization are introduced by way of concrete examples of how historians work, thus giving the reader a sense of the excitement implicit in discovering the past--and ourselves. The aim throughout History: A Very Short Introduction is to discuss theories of history in a general, pithy, and accessible manner, rather than delve into specific periods. This is a book that will appeal to all students and general readers with an interest in history or historiography.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
History: A Very Good Introduction:
At first I was very skeptical of this book--how does one "introduce" history, much less do it in 123 pages? I've taken two historiography courses--one undergrad and another in graduate school--and both required very long, very dull books on the "history of history." But John Arnold does it. In this short book, Arnold covers all the basics--both the origins and development of history as a craft, as well as summaries of modern concepts of "history," "truth," and the various problems confronting... more info
A Solid Introduction:
The book is, as claimed, a very brief introduction to history. It surveys the development of the discipline through a variety of stages, and shows the implications each has for what we now know as "history." It also inquires about and suggests answers to more philosophical questions, such as how history ought to be done and what its purpose is. While this less than authoritative approach of simply suggesting ideas instead of delaring them to be so may be frustrating to some, I found the humility of the... more info
A short and quality book about history:
John Arnold has written an excellent book about history and what history is really all about. History is an argument and Arnold points out some of the issues throughout history (was history created by a great person or did a great event make a person seem great?). It's an easy and very informative read for history majors and non-history majors. It will make you think about history in a new way and provides great information about how and why history is so very important to all of us.
A Thoughtful and Valuable Essay:
John Arnold shares his passions and cautions about the joys,relevance and sometime misuses of history.The reader is treated to a visit with a true intellectual.
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