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In Defence Of History

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( 1,371 ratings, 111 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Defence of History by Richard J. Evans explores the methodology and practice of history, defending it as a rigorous discipline amid challenges from postmodern perspectives. Evans argues for the objectivity and relevance of historical study while acknowledging the complexities and interpretative nature of the field. The book serves as an insightful discourse on how historians construct narratives and the importance of evidence in understanding the past.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are intrigued by the debate surrounding the nature of historical interpretation and the role of historians. It offers a compelling defence of history as a discipline, challenging postmodern scepticism and affirming its importance. Ideal for readers interested in the philosophy of history or those who enjoy exploring the complexities of historical truth and objectivity.

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The classic explanation of the craft of history and the vital worth of historians to civilization -- more relevant than ever in the post-fact world.

The classic explanation of the craft of history and the vital worth of historians to civilization -- more relevant than ever in the post-fact world.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The classic explanation of the craft of history and the vital worth of historians to civilisation.

In this volume, English historian Richard Evans offers a defence of the importance of his craft. At a time when fact and historical truth are under unprecedented assault, Evans shows us why history is necessary.

Taking us into the historians' workshop to show us just how good history gets written, he demolishes the wilder claims of postmodern historians, who deny the possibility of any realistic grasp of history, and explains the deadly political dangers of losing a historical perspective on the way we live our lives.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Richard J. Evans' In Defence of History is lauded for its articulate and compelling argument supporting the value of historical research. Critics highlight Evans' skill in providing a clear and witty analysis of historiographical issues, making complex debates accessible and engaging. The book is praised for its insightful exploration of historical perspectives and is recommended for anyone interested in the study and interpretation of history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781783784592

Publisher: Granta Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 February 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Granta Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 264g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Richard J. Evans is Regius Professor Emeritus of History at Cambridge University, and Provost of Gresham College in the City of London. He has taught at the University of East Anglia, where he was Professor of European History, and Birkbeck, University of London, where he was Professor of History and Vice-Master. His many books include The Coming of the Third Reich (2003), The Third Reich in Power (2005) and The Third Reich at War (2008), as well as a collection of essays, The Third Reich in History and Memory (2015). His most recent books are Altered Pasts: Counterfactuals in History (2013) and The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815-1914 (2016). He is a Fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Society of Literature. His many awards and distinctions include the British Academy Leverhulme Medal and Prize, the Norton Medlicott Medal of the Historical Association, the William H. Welch Medal of the American Association for the History of Medicine, and the Medal for Arts and Sciences of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. He is a frequent contributor to radio and television programmes, including Free Thinking. His books have been awarded the Wolfson History Prize and the Fraenkel Prize for Contemporary History. He was knighted for services to scholarship in 2012.

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