Varieties of Cultural History

by Peter Burke

In this collection of essays, of which four are published here for the first time, Peter Burke explores the theory and practice of what is called "new cultural history." He focuses on the varieties of cultural history which have emerged since the writings of Jacob Burckhardt and Johan Huizinga. No new orthodoxy has emerged to replace the classic model, Burke suggests, despite the importance of innovative approaches inspired by social and cultural anthropology. After discussing the origins and identity of cultural history, Burke explores the social history of dreams and the relation between history and social memory. He presents five case studies addressing topics in the history of early modern Italy. Each is located on the frontiers of cultural history―between learned and popular culture, between the public and the private spheres, and between the serious and the comic. Burke then turns to the encounter between Europe and the New World and to the phenomenon of cultural translation in the etymological, literal, and metaphorical senses of the term. He concludes with two theoretical one on the history of mentalities and one which asks why cultural history seems doomed to fragmentation.

Genres: History, Anthropology

Paperback

First published August 21, 1997

About the author

Peter Burke is a British historian and professor. He was educated by the Jesuits and at St John's College, Oxford, and was a doctoral candidate at St Antony's College. From 1962 to 1979, he was part of the School of European Studies at Sussex University, before moving to the University of Cambridge, where he holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Cultural History and Fellow of Emmanuel College. Burke is celebrated as a historian not only of the early modern era, but one who emphasizes the relevance of social and cultural history to modern issues. He is married to Brazilian historian Maria Lúcia Garcia Pallares-Burke.

Reviews

[Abel Estiarte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repàs bastant interessant de diferents temàtiques relacionades amb diferents aspectes de la historiografia cultural. A vegades, et sorprèn amb els temes escollits (Burke escombra cap a casa, és a dir, cap a la Itàlia de principis d’Edat Moderna), però no esperis un fil conductor general.
És interessant, en especial, per les propostes que planteja sobre com cal interpretar la història cultural (dels anys 80) i alguns dels capítols son realment fascinants.

[Melanie Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un libro muy útil que sirve para adentrarse en la historiografía en torno a la historia cultural, en conjunto con la ejemplificación por parte del autor dónde retoma otras investigaciones puntuales. Sirve para recuperar categorías de análisis y tener una idea general de la Europa moderna, en ocasiones contrastada con la situación americana en cuanto a lo que el choque cultural refiere.
Los capítulos son cortos por lo que se puede leer tranquilamente de a uno por día y aún así no perder el hilo general del libro.