Since its first publication in 1961 E.H. Carr's What is History? has established itself as the classic introduction to the subject. Ranging across topics such as historical objectivity, society and the individual, the nature of causation, and the possibility of progress, Carr delivered an incisive text that still has the power to provoke debate today. For this fortieth anniversary reissue, Richard J. Evans has written an extensive new introduction that discusses the origins and the impact of the book, and assesses its relevance in the age of twenty-first century postmodernism and epistemological anxiety.
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'E.H. Carr...now proves himself to be not only our most distinguished modern historian, but also one of the most valuable contributors to historical theory.' - Spectator
'As a lively, challenging view of the purpose of historical inquiry and the role of the historian...What is History? has yet to be bettered.' - David Horspool, Times Literary Supplement
'There is simply no point in talking about the principles and methodology of historical research without referring to E.H. Carr's seminal work.' - Elliot Jager, The Jerusalem Post
'By situating Carr's book historically so well, Evans...[has] provided the strongest argument yet for leaving What is History? on the shelf as a theory-of-history primer for undergraduates and for its alternative use as valuable primary evidence for the history of intellectual politics in mid-20th century Britain.' - Simon Ditchfield, Times Higher Education Supplement
'Carr's What is History? is still essential reading for all historians. The new edition introduced by Professor Evans, a leading historian and an accomplished historiographer, provides an excellent insight into Carr's life and work.' - Jonathan Haslam, author of The Vices of Integrity: E. H. Carr (1892-1982)
'E. H. Carr…proves himself to be not only our most distinguished modern historian, but also one of the most valuable contributors to historical theory.' - The Spectator
'As a lively, challenging view of the purpose of historical inquiry and the role of the historian...What is History? has yet to be bettered.' - David Horspool, Times Literary Supplement
'There is simply no point in talking about the principles and methodology of historical research without referring to E.H. Carr's seminal work.' - Elliot Jager, The Jerusalem Post
'By situating Carr's book historically so well, Evans...[has] provided the strongest argument yet for leaving What is History? on the shelf as a theory-of-history primer for undergraduates and for its alternative use as valuable primary evidence for the history of intellectual politics in mid-20th century Britain.' - Simon Ditchfield, Times Higher Education Supplement
'Carr's What is History? is still essential reading for all historians. The new edition introduced by Professor Evans, a leading historian and an accomplished historiographer, provides an excellent insight into Carr's life and work.' - Jonathan Haslam, author of The Vices of Integrity: E. H. Carr (1892-1982)
'E. H. Carr…proves himself to be not only our most distinguished modern historian, but also one of the most valuable contributors to historical theory.' - The Spectator
From the Inside Flap
'As a lively, challenging view of the purpose of historical inquiry nad the role of the historian ... What is History? has yet to be bettered'- TLS
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By D. R. Clarke
Format:Hardcover
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Anyone interested in the (currently much disputed) philosophical issues surrounding the study of history should read this one. Carr doesn't sit on the fence - instead makes his position clear and with a refreshingly simple and easy (though nontheless articulate) use of language which is sadly missing from other work in this area of discussion.
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.
This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. T. Rogers
Format:Paperback
E. H. Carr's 'What Is History?' is perhaps the leading introductory textbook on historiography (i.e. the study of historical method). It's essential reading for anyone who has an interest in history, and especially those who are studying any aspect of the subject. Carr's book has always been highly-controversial among professional historians as it contains a number of contentious ideas about historical method. In recent years the controversy has ignited again in the context of education, as policy-makers and educators debate what is the best way to teach history at different scholastic levels.
Essentially, Carr's approach is to look at the way the historian's own bias affects the history he writes. Instead of viewing the historian as an impartial agency situated outside of history, Carr argues that the historian is part of the historical process. What the historian thinks is as important as what happened in history, and each interacts with the other, so that the historian's own social and political perspective will influence both the facts he selects as historically significant and how those facts are interpreted. As perspective is critical, history becomes not merely a dry chronicle of 'what happened', but a vision of the future projected into the past. The main criticism of this approach seems to be that it prioritises the historian over history. This criticism finds populist expression in the idea that children should study history by learning facts rather than skills. The first (traditionalist) approach emphasises content. The second (modern) approach emphasises the historian.
Having read the book for myself, I find this criticism to be very unfair, reflecting a misunderstanding of Carr's ideas.... Read more ›
Essentially, Carr's approach is to look at the way the historian's own bias affects the history he writes. Instead of viewing the historian as an impartial agency situated outside of history, Carr argues that the historian is part of the historical process. What the historian thinks is as important as what happened in history, and each interacts with the other, so that the historian's own social and political perspective will influence both the facts he selects as historically significant and how those facts are interpreted. As perspective is critical, history becomes not merely a dry chronicle of 'what happened', but a vision of the future projected into the past. The main criticism of this approach seems to be that it prioritises the historian over history. This criticism finds populist expression in the idea that children should study history by learning facts rather than skills. The first (traditionalist) approach emphasises content. The second (modern) approach emphasises the historian.
Having read the book for myself, I find this criticism to be very unfair, reflecting a misunderstanding of Carr's ideas.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Sipilä Jussi
Format:Hardcover
Excellent style and good argumentation, Carr provides a delightful and easy read. Although time (history) has been quite rude to some of his arguments and views in the past 40 years most of his philosophy still holds true. Recommended for anyone interested in the title question.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you only ever read one book about history, make it this one.
As relevant as ever, should be required reading for all thinking people, AND politicians! Impeccably written and argued, a classic.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. C. Cheffers-heard
4.0 out of 5 stars
arrived in quicker the expected, brilliant book!
In the past, ive read Arthur Marwicks Nature of History and a few books of John Tosh (all that seem to be a little critical of Carr). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have you ever wondered - What is History ?
This is an excellent book, very interesting, informative and well written.
A must read for any student of history. This book stands the test of time. Read more
A must read for any student of history. This book stands the test of time. Read more
Published 20 months ago by R. Burns
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best introduction to history you could hope for
Absolutely fantastic, a must read for any budding historian or any one interested in history :) Really fired my interest.
Published 21 months ago by dwiendle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Indeed, what is history?
E H Carr's book is certainly thought provoking, if not a little annoying in parts. What you have to be aware of is that this book originally began life as a series of lectures... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2011 by R Howey
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
Anyone who takes the study of history seriously should read this book. If you find it boring, you shouldn't be doing history.
Published on 17 Oct 2010 by Page Turner
1.0 out of 5 stars
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........
Overly complex, arrogant and long-winded - I had to read this book for my degree, and hated every second of it.
Published on 4 Nov 2008 by Mr. D. Mcgrady
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