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Review
'The invention of heritage is a fascinating story, and Lowenthal tells it with vigour, style and a Balzacian relish for detail ... His racy style keeps us constantly on the move.' Roger Scruton, The Times 'Timely and provocative ... brilliant and stimulating pyrotechnic.' Roy Strong, The Sunday Times 'A wealth of stories both true and amusing.' Grey Gowrie, The Daily Telegraph 'Perceptive and provocative ... explores the many perversities of the heritage cult - and its absolute irresistibility.' Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman 'Leads a brilliant dance through this jungle of cultural confusion, from the Holocaust Museum to Elvis Presley's shrine in Graceland.' Candida Lycett Green, The Sunday Express 'Brave, piquant and impressively broad-ranging.' Linda Colley, The Times Literary Supplement
Review
'The invention of heritage is a fascinating story, and Lowenthal tells it with vigour, style and a Balzacian relish for detail … His racy style keeps us constantly on the move.' Roger Scruton, The Times
'Timely and provocative … brilliant and stimulating pyrotechnic.' Roy Strong, The Sunday Times
'A wealth of stories both true and amusing.' Grey Gowrie, The Daily Telegraph
'Perceptive and provocative … explores the many perversities of the heritage cult - and its absolute irresistibility.' Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman
'Leads a brilliant dance through this jungle of cultural confusion, from the Holocaust Museum to Elvis Presley's shrine in Graceland.' Candida Lycett Green, The Sunday Express
'Brave, piquant and impressively broad-ranging.' Linda Colley, The Times Literary Supplement
'Timely and provocative … brilliant and stimulating pyrotechnic.' Roy Strong, The Sunday Times
'A wealth of stories both true and amusing.' Grey Gowrie, The Daily Telegraph
'Perceptive and provocative … explores the many perversities of the heritage cult - and its absolute irresistibility.' Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman
'Leads a brilliant dance through this jungle of cultural confusion, from the Holocaust Museum to Elvis Presley's shrine in Graceland.' Candida Lycett Green, The Sunday Express
'Brave, piquant and impressively broad-ranging.' Linda Colley, The Times Literary Supplement
Inside This Book
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THE WORLD REJOICES IN A NEWLY POPULAR FAITH: the cult of heritage. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THE WORLD REJOICES IN A NEWLY POPULAR FAITH: the cult of heritage. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I disagree with the previous reviewer, this is far more than a "dictionary cum bibliography". The debate over heritage is hugely controversial - the conclusions of this book, if indeed there can be solid conclusions, reflect this to some extent. I thought that the author managed to convey a more balanced attitude towards the 'heritage industry' than has been the case in the past; how it has been accepted as an important part of modern society.
Just look at some of the books written on the topic in the last 10 or 15 years (e.g. Walsh's "Representation of the past: Museums and heritage in the post-modern world", 1992) that seem almost scared of the impact of heritage. Lowenthal seems to be challenging this view by reminding us of the problems relating to both 'history' and 'heritage'. The are, so he argues, mutually beneficial in the way we conceive of the past. Essentially, neither is 'good' or 'bad'.
However, I would agree with the previous reviewer that this can sometimes be a challenging read (a dictionary at the ready is recommended) although I must have increased my vocabulary a fair bit. However, the clarity of the author's argument thankfully makes this book suitable for browsing. I actually found his wealth of 'examples' interesting and amusing.
Overall, as a budding historian, this book challenged my perceptions of modern heritage as being the bogeyman of historical study. I would especially recommend it to anyone studying heritage or to those sceptics who thought like myself.
Just look at some of the books written on the topic in the last 10 or 15 years (e.g. Walsh's "Representation of the past: Museums and heritage in the post-modern world", 1992) that seem almost scared of the impact of heritage. Lowenthal seems to be challenging this view by reminding us of the problems relating to both 'history' and 'heritage'. The are, so he argues, mutually beneficial in the way we conceive of the past. Essentially, neither is 'good' or 'bad'.
However, I would agree with the previous reviewer that this can sometimes be a challenging read (a dictionary at the ready is recommended) although I must have increased my vocabulary a fair bit. However, the clarity of the author's argument thankfully makes this book suitable for browsing. I actually found his wealth of 'examples' interesting and amusing.
Overall, as a budding historian, this book challenged my perceptions of modern heritage as being the bogeyman of historical study. I would especially recommend it to anyone studying heritage or to those sceptics who thought like myself.
8 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author approaches this book in such a way as to obscure his very message. It is easy to get the impression this book is not so much of an informative read but as a dictionary cum bibliography. Whilst references are useful to illustrate a point, there are far too many of them, and many of them far too obscure. What it takes an entire chapter to convey could be summed up in a paragraph. Unfortunately this approaches soon taxes the reader's appreciation of the author's very extensive knowledge. If you are searching for clues on the difference between history and heritage then this is your book! Nonetheless, it is a very suject specific read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Heritage and History-Friends or Foes?
10 Mar 2000
Format:Paperback
Historian David Lowenthal, author of The Heritage Crusade and Spoils of History, has managed to provide both an engrossing account on the relationship between history and heritage and an entertaining piece of literary work. The book comprises of 10 chapters, each one dealing with the evolution that heritage has experienced aswell as the contribution it makes to our lives. After reading this book one comes away with a greater understanding and appreciation for our own inherited events and objects. His use of very relevant and at the same time very interesting examples, ranging from Greek mythology to America's Disney World, allows readers to bring to life the whole concept of heritage and history. I have to admit that prior to reading this book I had the naieve notion (though common one)that heritage equated to history. However Lowenthal was able to dispel this belief by providing vivid accounts on why these two elements are so different yet inextricably intertwined. This he does by highlighting the differences in the approach of biasness by both heritage and history and also the quest for truth and objectivity.Ultimately Lowenthal shows how both history and heritage work in contemporary society and how they compliment each other. His humour, knowledge on the subject and his style of writing makes this book trully a must read for all historians and potential historians too, infact anyone interested on the topic. Enjoy Reading!
3 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Why this book sucks....
2 Oct 2001
Format:Paperback
This book is horribly written, poorly constructed, and really fails to argue a cohesive point. It bounces around from anecdote to story, and if anything, proves the use of history, and condemns heritage.
I disagree with the author's premise, but he doesn't provide any substance to defend his opinion.
If I could rate this book any lower, I would.
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