ABSTRACT

In this book, originally published in 1962, one of America’s most distinguished historians defines the scope and variety fo his field and out lines his views on history’s objectives both as a science and as an art. The book provides insight into historians’ methods of interpreting and presenting the past from Thucydides to twentieth century scholarship on Europe and America. It sets apart the different approaches to history – biographical, cultural, intellectual, geographical and political – illuminating the peculiar goals, problems and development of each discipline. It discusses the question of pre-history and its companion science, archaeology and spans the history of the collection and use of records.

chapter 1|21 pages

A Proud Word for History

chapter 2|29 pages

The Varieties of History

chapter 3|32 pages

Primitive Materials for History

chapter 4|40 pages

Modern Materials for History

chapter 5|21 pages

The Cheating Document

chapter 6|30 pages

The Dubious Document

chapter 7|37 pages

Pilate on Evidence

chapter 8|34 pages

Problems in History

chapter 9|40 pages

Ideas in History

chapter 10|22 pages

Man’s Home and His History

chapter 11|23 pages

Sociologist, Economist, and Historian

chapter 12|23 pages

Biography and History

chapter 13|21 pages

Literary Aspects of History

chapter 14|19 pages

The Reading of History