An Intelligent Person's Guide to History

by John Vincent

John Vincent has often been accused of political incorrectness in his writings about history. In this controversial study of history, Professor Vincent goes to the very heart of the complex issues raised by the subject. In 1928 Bernard Shaw wrote his "Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism." Nearly 70 years later, in a simliarly polemical tract, Vincent makes no such concessions to feminist sensibilities or to the politics of the left. The text provides a comprehensive examination of the philosophy and evolution of history. It explores notions of historical evidence, meaning, the concept of historical imagination, morality and history, causality and bias, and hindsight. This expanded paperback edition includes an account by the author of the critical reception that greeted the book's original publication, and the controversy that it generated.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

129 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, a treatment of the study of history, both practical and philosophical. Vincent is insightful, and not afraid to criticize his profession. He makes some interesting insights into how History is taught and presented. Some of his commentary I disagreed with, some I agreed with, some I applauded.

[Bibliofuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot intelligently comment on its content yet. I will need to read it a second and third time to fully digest it, but I know enough, after a first reading, to know that it merits a second and third reading.

[Gary · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like a guide to British history. I got it for cheap at a book fair in Canberra so I can’t complain I guess. I just thought it was boring.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

He provides some interesting viewpoints on historiography, however the book is dating fast and a bit too skewed. he seems like too much of an attention seeker.