| Historical Theory Contributor(s): Fulbrook, Mary (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415179866 ISBN-13: 9780415179867 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $152.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: June 2002 Annotation: Written by a prominent historian, this work develops a highly Original argument in the context of recent debates. Against naive empiricism, Mary Fulbrook argues that all historians face key theoretical questions, and that an emphasis on the facts alone is not enough. Against postmodernism, she argues that historical narratives are not simply inventions imposed on the past, and that some answers to historical questions are more plausible or adequate than others. Focusing on central theoretical issues and strategies for bridging the gap between the traces of the past and the interpretations of the present, and deploying a range of substantive examples to illustrate the argument, this study provides an essential guide to and through major debates about the nature of history and representations of the past. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Study & Teaching - History | Historiography |
| Dewey: 901 |
| LCCN: 2002067985 |
| Lexile Measure: 1640 |
| Physical Information: 0.74" H x 5.64" W x 8.92" (0.86 lbs) 240 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Practising historians claim that their accounts of the past are something other than fiction, myth or propaganda. Yet there are significant challenges to this view, most notably from postmodernism. In Historical Theory, a prominent historian develops a highly original argument that evaluates the diversity of approaches to history and points to a constructive way forward. Mary Fulbrook argues that all historians face key theoretical questions, and that an emphasis on the facts alone is not enough. Against postmodernism, she argures that historical narratives are not simply inventions imposed on the past, and that some answers to historical questions are more plausible or adequate than others. Illustrated with numerous substantive examples and its focus is always on the most central theoretical issues and on real strategies for bridging the gap between the traces of the past and the interpretations of the present. Historical Theory is essential and enlightening reading for all historians and their students. |