Customer Reviews

The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History

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Historian David Lowenthal, author of The Heritage Crusade and Spoils of History, has managed to provide both an engrossing account on the relationship between history and heritage and an entertaining piece of literary work. The book comprises of 10 chapters, each one dealing with the evolution that heritage has experienced aswell as the contribution it makes to our lives. After reading this book one comes away with a greater understanding and appreciation for our own inherited events and objects. His use of very relevant and at the same time very interesting examples, ranging from Greek mythology to America's Disney World, allows readers to bring to life the whole concept of heritage and history. I have to admit that prior to reading this book I had the naieve notion (though common one)that heritage equated to history. However Lowenthal was able to dispel this belief by providing vivid accounts on why these two elements are so different yet inextricably intertwined. This he does by highlighting the differences in the approach of biasness by both heritage and history and also the quest for truth and objectivity.Ultimately Lowenthal shows how both history and heritage work in contemporary society and how they compliment each other. His humour, knowledge on the subject and his style of writing makes this book trully a must read for all historians and potential historians too, infact anyone interested on the topic. Enjoy Reading!

This book is horribly written, poorly constructed, and really fails to argue a cohesive point. It bounces around from anecdote to story, and if anything, proves the use of history, and condemns heritage.

I disagree with the author's premise, but he doesn't provide any substance to defend his opinion.

If I could rate this book any lower, I would.