History: What and Why?: Ancient, Modern and Postmodern Perspectives

by Beverley Southgate (Author), Beverley Southgate (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1996

  $3.25

  History: What and Why? is an introductory survey of the nature and purpose of history.
  Beverley Southgate argues that the traditional model of the subject as a re-discovery of the past `as it was' has now been superseded. It has been successfully challenged by developments in other disciplines, such as linguistics, psychology and philosophy, together with the work of Marxist, feminist and post-colonial historians.
  This book combines a historical perspective with a clear guide to current debates about the nature of history. It proposes a positive role for historical study in the postmodern era.

• New

  Paperback
  2001

  $41.90

  History: What and Why? is a highly accessible introductory survey of historians' views about the nature and purpose of their subject. It offers a historical perspective and clear guide to contemporary debates about the nature and purpose of history, and a discussion of the traditional model of history as an account of the past 'as it was'. It assesses the challenges to orthodox views and examines the impact of Marxism, feminism and post-colonialism on the study of history. This second edition has been updated to reflect the continuing, and still increasing, debate surrounding these issues. In particular it discusses: * historians' fear of postmodernism * holocaust denial and the Irving/Lipstadt libel trial * the future of the past in the light of the postmodern challenge. For anyone teaching, learning or studying history, this is a must.