The Nature of History Reader (Routledge Readers in History)

Routledge Readers in History

by Keith Jenkins

The question of what the nature of history is, is now a key issue for all students of history. It is now recognized by many that the past and history are different phenomena and that the way the past is actively historicized can be highly problematic and contested. Older metaphysical, ontological, epistemological, methodological and ethical assumptions can no longer be taken as read.In this timely collection, key pieces of writing by leading historians are reproduced and evaluated, with an explanation and critique of their character and assumptions, and how they reflect upon the nature of the history project.The authors respond to the view that the nature of history has become so disparate in assumption, approach and practice as to require an informed guide that is both self-reflexive, engaged, critical and innovative. This work seeks to aid a positive re-thinking of history today, and will be of use both to students and to their teachers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published April 22, 2004

About the author

Keith Jenkins is a British historiographer. Like Hayden White and other "postmodern" historiographers, Jenkins believes that any historian's output should be seen as a story. A work of history is as much about the historian's own world view and ideological positions as it is about past events. This means that different historians will inevitably ascribe different meaning to the same historical events.

Jenkins is professor in history at the University of Chichester.

Reviews

[Jane Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book for undertanding the nature of how history is written. The book is divided into four parts; Reconstructionism, Constructionism, Deconstructionism, and Endisms. The latter two parts of the book will not disappoint if you happen to be a seeker of truth.