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 Very Short Introduction is a stimulating essay about how we study and understand history. The book begins by inviting us to think about various questions provoked by our investigation of history, and explores the ways these questions have been answered in the past. Concepts such as causation, interpretation, and periodization, are introduced by means of concrete examples of how historians work, giving the reader a sense of the excitement of discovering not only the past, but also ourselves.
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"John Arnold builds around a few glittering fragments of the past-- a medieval murderer, a 17th-century pension to an abandoned wife, a speech by a black woman born into slavery-- a whole exhibition about what history is and is not. Writing with lucidity and passion, he lays out for inspection all the ways of recounting and exploiting the past through narrative which has been used from Herodotus to Hobsbawn. His range of knowledge and interests is phenomenal, but his skills as a communicator makes his own subtle analysis of history's history as gripping as a novel."--Neal Ascherson
"A stimulating and provocative introduction to one of collective humanity's most important quests-- understanding the past and its relation to the present. A vivid mix of telling examples and clear-cut analysis."--David Lowenthal, University College, London
"Intriguing and original in its discussion of why history matters and what are the problems inherent in studying it. The book is admirable in being discursive and thought-provoking."--Paul Freedman, Yale University
"Accessible to students and wide-ranging in content, Arnold uncovers major issues in the historical profession in a way that invites student participation."--Russ Reeves, Trinity Christian College
"Exactly what I needed. Suitable for the non-major undergrad and the graduate school bound major student."--Rea Andrew Reid, Waynesburg College
"This is an extremely engaging book, lively, enthusiastic and highly readable, which presents some of the fundamental problems of historical writing in a lucid and accessible manner. As an invitation to the study of history it should be difficult to resist."--Peter Burke, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
"A few millenia of events, millions of transcripts tucked away, uncountable lives passed, endless stories to tell. History: where to begin? John Arnold's History: A Very Short Introduction is an excellent short answer. Lucid and thoughtfully written, it wi
About the Author
John Arnold teaches history at the University of East Anglia, specializing in the medieval period and the philosophy of history.
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First Sentence
Here is a true story. In 1301 Guilhem de Rodes hurried down from his Pyrenean village of Tarascon to the town of Pamiers, in the south of France. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Here is a true story. In 1301 Guilhem de Rodes hurried down from his Pyrenean village of Tarascon to the town of Pamiers, in the south of France. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Reeve
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Arnold takes 'historiography' to be the process of writing history, and 'history' to be the result of that process, i.e. to be a set of true stories about the past. If you enjoy reading history, then you should read at least something about historiography, to help you evaluate and interpret what you read. This short introduction to the subject is probably as good a place as any to start and for many readers will be as much historiography as they think they need.
Major figures such as Thucydides and von Ranke are discussed and central issues in the philosophy of history, such as the extent to which people of other times were essentially different from us, are introduced. Arnold presents a wide range of opinions on these various topics, but has a bias toward the politically correct.
His style is readable, if sometimes clumsy, but overall this little book succeeds admirably in its task and contains a wealth of information and opinion. It is recommended for anyone wanting to get beyond the 'true stories' to what history really is.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a lively, provocative book. Arnold introduces, in a very personable and readable manner, some central questions about what history is, and can claim to be, and how it can be "done". He explores these questions through some entertaining and refreshing examples of historical source material.
Arnold strikes a balance that carries the reader through the complexities of the issues at hand without descending into patronising simplification, or bewildering jargon. He obviously has a passion for his subject, and this comes across very strongly in the book.
If you think history is all "kings and battles" and BBC2 programmes about archaeology, read this book- it might change your mind.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By H.P.J.M.
Format:Paperback
History is surely one of the most difficult and profound subjects to write a subject on, and John Arnold writes it brilliantly, the book neither being too academic, nor too simplistic.
His enthusiasm comes off every page as a professional historian, and the carefully selected fascinating examples of history really show his passion to give the reader an interesting read.
In the analysis of these examples Arnold shows how history is written (historiography) and that when there is no definite truth, we can infer from what evidence we have to make effectively a collection of truths and stories.
Anyone who thinks history is dreary, or anyone who is slightly interested in it, should give the book a try.
His enthusiasm comes off every page as a professional historian, and the carefully selected fascinating examples of history really show his passion to give the reader an interesting read.
In the analysis of these examples Arnold shows how history is written (historiography) and that when there is no definite truth, we can infer from what evidence we have to make effectively a collection of truths and stories.
Anyone who thinks history is dreary, or anyone who is slightly interested in it, should give the book a try.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
An accessible introduction to historiography
In this short book on historiography (study of history), the author deals with issues such as
--what is historical "truth", how the concept has evolved
--what is the role... Read more
--what is historical "truth", how the concept has evolved
--what is the role... Read more
Published 10 days ago by Sbo
4.0 out of 5 stars
History a very short introduction
Interesting book but -as was to be expected in the short introduction series- very concise. A lot of knowledge to be taken in at once
Published 4 months ago by Marguerite Carrasco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Short Introduction - One of the Best in the Series
I have always been fascinated with history. The combination of storytelling and solid factual information about peoples and events that are very distant from us, both in time and... Read more
Published on 4 April 2011 by Dr. Bojan Tunguz
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Historiography than History...
This book isn't so much about history, rather historiography (the study of History.) Unlike many academic texts, this short pocket book is easy to follow and read, and the author... Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2010 by Luke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, eye-opening
This is simply and beautifully written, but at the same time, deeply thoughtful. John Arnold uses lively cases studies to illustrate big ideas about the activities and knowledge... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by C. Merchant
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could be better
I guess most people will buy these short introductions to dip in to a subject out of general interest, then go deeper if they want after. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2009 by K. Watton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading for anyone interested in History
This is an excellent, well written and thought provoking book about what it might mean to do History (and most other things). Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2002
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