by Sarah Barber (Editor)
Historians are increasingly looking beyond the traditional, and turning to visual, oral, aural, and virtual sources to inform their work. The challenges these sources pose require new skills of interpretation and require historians to consider alternative theoretical and practical approaches. In order to help historians successfully move beyond traditional text, Sarah Barber and Corinna Peniston-Bird bring together chapters from historical specialists in the fields of fine art, photography, film, oral history, architecture, virtual sources, music, cartoons, landscape and material culture to explain why, when and how these less traditional sources can be used. Each chapter introduces the reader to the source, suggests the methodological and theoretical questions historians should keep in mind when using it, and provides case studies to illustrate best practice in analysis and interpretation. Pulling these disparate sources together, the introduction discusses the nature of historical sources and those factors which are unique to, and shared by, the sources covered throughout the book. Taking examples from around the globe, this collection of essays aims to inspire practitioners of history to expand their horizons, and incorporate a wide variety of primary sources in their work.
Format: Illustrated
Pages: 224
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 26 Nov 2008
ISBN 10: 0415429625
ISBN 13: 9780415429627
`This book has a good feel to it. Pictures, diagrams and cartoons are used effectively and the chapters are brief and to the point. Result - my awareness of the sources is enhanced, and I can now hope to become a better historian.' - SATH History Teaching Review