Oral History: A Very Short Introduction

by Douglas A. Boyd

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

This Very Short Introduction is a general introduction to oral history from the interview to the archive. Douglas A. Boyd examines the oral history interview, recording techniques and strategies, technologies for making oral history accessible, and the legal and ethical implications throughout the work of oral history. Boyd also pays special attention to the role of the archive and the importance of memory. Equally important, this book also examines the world of digital possibilities for utilizing oral history for scholarly, public, community, and personal use.

An area of explosive interest and growth, oral history is a complex discipline not just sequestered to storytelling. The interview is a complex combination of strategy and flexibility, remembering and forgetting, narrative and silence, and cannot escape individual biases and perspectives. This book offers readers a comprehensive and concise overview of oral history from one of the most important figures in the field.

ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: History

160 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2025

Reviews

[Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful, very short introduction! As someone with a sociology background I was somewhat familiar with oral history but this really helped expand my understanding. Gave me ideas on books to read on the topic, histories to listen to, and ways to incorporate oral history into my own work. So what else can I ask for? Worth it if you like the series and you’re interested in oral history.

[Ocean · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a How-To than a What-is, but through the How-To explanations, gives insight into the challenges of oral history. The first two chapters were very interesting with respect to the history of oral history as a subject matter and how it is examined in terms of the overall study of history. I wish there had been more information on that subject, but what I got was still interesting and prompted a lot of thought on the topic. Worth a read, but not quite what I was expecting, given other entries into the VSI series.

[em petlev · Rating 3 out of 5]

i could see this book being a useful reference guide for someone already well-versed in oral history. for an absolute beginner, it left me with more questions than it answered