After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection, Volume 1

by James West Davidson, Mark H. Lytle

Volume 1 of a 2-volume work that uses 15 dramatic episodes in American history to show students how historians go about the business of interpreting the past. It discusses historical methods within the context of an historical narrative so that students may learn about American history at the same time as seeing how historians use a variety of evidence (diaries, letters, photographs and records) and methods to explain the past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, School

Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

James West Davidson is a historian, writer, and wilderness paddler. He received his Ph.D. in American history from Yale University and writes full time. He is also co-editor, with Michael Stoff, of New Narratives in American History, a series published by Oxford University Press, as well as the coauthor of textbooks in American history. These include "Experience History," "After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection," and "US: A Narrative History" for the college level and "The American Nation" for the middle grades.

Reviews

[2bnallegory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enlightening and opens possibilities to what more can be found then bald facts in textbooks

[Virág · Rating 2 out of 5]

APUSH torture...

[Lilly]

full truth i skipped like three or four chapters but w/e

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fun to read! this book uses chapters to illustrate how historical investigation -- uncovering the 'truth' of what happened in the past -- is equivalent to the seemingly more glamorous detective work used to solve mysteries in movies, tv, and real life. so engagingly written, this book catapults students from feeling sort of blah, removed, and vaguely interested in the study of history, to being on the edge of their seats with interest, critically thinking, and most of all, vividly imagining what might have happened in the past -- and the most probable, proveable way of how it happened. Chapter on Salem witch trials especially juicy. Rad read!

[Marisa Capellan-Battle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was purchased as a text book for Historical Methodologies, but the book itself was very interesting and helped to change the way I view history and everyday current affairs. The case studies were interesting to read as well.

[Walt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposedly a primer for historical research. Most it should come naturally from college history classes.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a casual reader of history, I very much enjoyed the view of how historians work. The examples were very easy to follow,and covered interesting topics.

[Matthew McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS is what history is all about!!!

[Chole Allyson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much help with the class I was using the book for. Better luck next time.

[April]

Excellent for anyone interested in the practice of studying history!