Making History: An Introduction to the History and Practices of a Discipline

Making History provides a comprehensive exploration of the practice of history, historical traditions, and theories, covering significant movements, interdisciplinary trends, and historical practice outside the academy, with new chapters on history and archeology, history and memory studies, international history, global history, and media history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Making History: A Fresh Perspective on the Study of the Past
Making History is a comprehensive exploration of the practice of history, historical traditions, and the theories that surround them. It offers a fresh perspective on the study of the past, encompassing a wide range of influences and organized around several themes. The book explores the development and growth of history as a discipline and the profession of the historian, covering significant movements in historical scholarship in the last century, interdisciplinary trends, and historical practice outside the academy.

New to this edition are chapters on history and archeology, history and memory studies, international history, global history, and media history. These chapters provide valuable insights into the diverse fields of history and offer a comprehensive overview of the latest research and developments in these areas.

One of the key themes of Making History is the impact of historical scholarship on society. The book highlights the ways in which history has shaped our understanding of the world, and how it has influenced our values, beliefs, and behaviors. It explores the role of historians in shaping public opinion and promoting social justice, and the challenges that they face in doing so.

Another theme of Making History is the interdisciplinary nature of the field. The book demonstrates how history can be integrated with other disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and economics, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the past. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex social and political issues, and the ways in which historians can contribute to these efforts.

In addition to its theoretical and historical content, Making History is also a practical guide for historians and students. It provides tips on how to conduct research, write effective essays, and present your findings to a wider audience. It also includes case studies and examples of historical research in action, to help students understand the process of historical inquiry.

One of the strengths of Making History is its accessibility. The book is written in a clear and engaging style, and it is accessible to students and non-specialists alike. It includes a wealth of illustrations, photographs, and maps, which help to bring the past to life.

However, Making History is not without its challenges. One of the main challenges is the increasing specialization of the field. As history becomes more specialized, it can become difficult for historians to communicate their findings to a wider audience. This can lead to a lack of public understanding of history and a decline in the importance of the discipline.

To address this challenge, Making History includes a section on public history. This section explores the ways in which historians can engage with the public and promote historical awareness. It includes case studies of successful public history projects, and provides tips on how to create your own public history project.

Another challenge is the impact of technology on the field of history. The book highlights the ways in which technology has changed the way that historians conduct research and present their findings. It includes a section on digital history, which explores the use of digital tools and technologies to access and analyze historical data.

Despite these challenges, Making History remains a valuable resource for historians and students. It provides a comprehensive overview of the practice of history, historical traditions, and the theories that surround them. It is accessible, practical, and engaging, and it offers valuable insights into the diverse fields of history.

In conclusion, Making History is a comprehensive exploration of the practice of history, historical traditions, and the theories that surround them. It offers a fresh perspective on the study of the past, encompassing a wide range of influences and organized around several themes. The book explores the development and growth of history as a discipline and the profession of the historian, covering significant movements in historical scholarship in the last century, interdisciplinary trends, and historical practice outside the academy. New to this edition are chapters on history and archeology, history and memory studies, international history, global history, and media history. Making History is a valuable resource for historians and students, and it remains a valuable resource for the public.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138933378
Edition number: 2 New edition