Description

For undergraduate and graduate courses in Historiography, Philosophy of History, and Historical Methods. Also an ideal supplemental text for Western Civilization and Intellectual History courses.

 

A comprehensive and balanced look at historical thought from antiquity to present day that will keep readers at all levels engaged and interested in the material.

 

This concise, best-selling volume presents a thorough and comprehensive overview of Western historical thinking from ancient times until the present. History and Historians surveys the main issues and problems in areas such as historiography, philosophy of history, and historical methodology. The book strives for a balanced coverage and attempts to make the subject accessible to readers at all levels.

Features

• Comprehensive coverage - Emphasizes the importance of context in understanding historical issues.
• Gives students needed background information so that instructors do not have to take up valuable class time doing the same.
• Coherent overview—Examines Greek, Hebrew, and Christian historiography; and explores the impact of the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the professionalization of history within European universities.
• Supplies students with a solid foundation for the entire field.
• Clear, concise presentation—Explores the development of historical thought.
• Allows students to quickly master the basics, preparing them to go on to any higher-level history course.
• An analysis of the implications of computers in the study of history.
• Offers students up-to-date coverage of the most recent developments in the study of history.

New to this Edition

Provides commentary on recent historiographical tendencies and trends, particularly in the following areas:

• the cultural turn
• subaltern studies
• postcolonialism
• “the weapons of the weak”
• the negotiation and distribution of power in human transactions over the whole spectrum of class, gender, and race

The bibliographies at the end of each chapter have been updated throughout.

Table of Contents

Preface

1 Aims and Purposes

2 The Beginnings of Historical Consciousness

3 Historical Consciousness in the Modern Age

4 Philosophy of History: Speculative Approaches

5 Philosophy of History: Analytical Approaches

6 Professional History in Recent Times

7 Culture Wars, Postmodernism, and Other Issues

Index

Back Cover

History and Historians

A Historiographical Introduction

Seventh Edition

Mark T. Gilderhus

This concise, best-selling volume presents a thorough and comprehensive overview of Western historical thinking from ancient times until the present. History and Historians surveys the main issues and problems in areas such as historiography, philosophy of history, and historical methodology. The book strives for a balanced coverage and attempts to make the subject accessible to readers at all levels. This revised seventh edition provides commentary on recent historiographical tendencies and trends, particularly in the areas of the cultural turn; subaltern studies; postcolonialism; “the weapons of the weak”; and the negotiation and distribution of power in human transactions over the whole spectrum of class, gender, and race. The bibliographies at the end of each chapter have been updated throughout.

MAIN TOPICS

Aims and Purposes

The Beginnings of Historical Consciousness

Historical Consciousness in the Modern Age

Philosophy of History: Speculative Approaches

Philosophy of History: Analytical Approaches

Professional History in Recent Times

Culture Wars, Postmodernism, and Other Issues