Writing History : Theory and Practice

Writing History provides students and teachers with an accessibly written overview of the emergence and development of history as a discipline and of the major theoretical developments that have informed historical writing. Rather than focus upon abstract theory, this book clearly explains the key concepts and demonstrates the ways that they have informed practical work through extended discussion of key historical texts. Part One of the book provides an account of the emergence of history as a discipline from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century. Part Two examines approaches which purport to be applicable to all fields and periods of history, including Marxism, poststructuralism, psychohistory and comparative and social science influenced methods. Part Three examines the application of a range of theories to particular fields, such as the histories of women and gender, race, society and the people. This new edition is fully revised and includes new chapters on history and the social sciences, history and anthropology, and the Annales and history, ensuring that Writing History remains an invaluable introduction to the central debates that have shaped the field.