History in Crisis? Recent Directions in Historiography (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Norman J. Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131835521 | ISBN-13: 978-0131835528 | Publication Date: January 10, 2005 | Edition: 2

This book explores the possibilities remaining for historical study in the face of the current trends, including postcolonialism, postmodernism, and deconstruction, among others. The volume examines key topics such as what was history and what is history? The problems of historical knowledge: historicism, presentism, and the writing of history, cross-pollination, varieties of history, historical actors, post modernist (re)visions, post-colonialism and the scope of history, as well as the future of history. For those interested in the study of history as well as those interested in the influence of recent political trends.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

History in Crisis? provides students with an in-depth look at the practices, methods, and theoretical assumptions Western historians employ in their quest to decipher and interpret events of the past. Students are exposed to the inner workings of the historical world, allowing them to discover and understand the approaches historians utilize to conduct research, and to fully comprehend what the pursuit of historical truth actually entails. By offering an introduction to historical research, a brief survey of the formal philosophy of history, and investigations of the concerns and questions facing today's historians, Norman J. Wilson provides students with the skills and tools necessary to understand the study of history, analyze historical problems, and most importantly, become active participants in the currently expanding historical conversation.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

I chose the title of this book while skimming my tattered copy of Fritz Stern's Varieties of History: From Voltaire to the Present. In the "Note to the Second Edition," Stern wrote "Is history in crisis again? The answer seems to be yes, and the crisis comes from within and without the historical discipline." It was unclear to me how historians could ever be freed from the crisis that Stern proclaimed. Stern's book, a reader of famous historians, differs radically from my efforts to present a variety of approaches without attempting to pinpoint a canon of works by famous historians. Instead of proclaiming masters who are then mastered, I sought to provide a toolbox or workshop so that readers could jump into current historical conversations. My goal was to accentuate the positive aspects of the varieties of history and thus the title History in Crisis? ends with a rhetorical question mark. I consciously rejected the critical tradition that grandly proclaims "crisis" so that the critic could explain the world.

This edition caused considerable contemplation about whether I should remain steadfast in my optimistic assessment. One of the most controversial positions in the first edition was my strong support for postcolonialism. Postcolonialists would tell you that I correctly recognized the merits of their pursuit of history, and critics of postcolonialism would argue that I was duped. Postcolonialism is now firmly seated in the academy, but the role of postcolonialism will remain undefined until more postcolonial histories become available.

The current historical conversation may not be as vibrant as the heated conversations over postmodernism and postcolonialism that took place in the late 1990s, but I do not believe that history has returned to a state of crisis. Crisis can be avoided as new perspectives are incorporated into the current historical conversation. Students are encouraged to read this brief overview of recent historical conversations and then to participate in the currently expanding historical conversation. Let the conversation continue!

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (January 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131835521
• ISBN-13: 978-0131835528
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction for Undergraduates, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: History in Crisis? Recent Directions in Historiography (Paperback)

After years of searching for a suitable basic introductory text for undergraduate courses in the philosophy and method of history, I was pleased to happen upon Wilson's book. He is clear, concise and as comprehensive as one could hope for in such a brief work. My only complaint is that it is rather pricy for such a slim text.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some Guidance Required, August 30, 2007

By 

Christopher Van Huss "FFHS History" (Cincinnati, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History in Crisis? Recent Directions in Historiography (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Dr. Wilson does assume a lot when asking readers to follow his ramblings, however as an introduction to basic historiography the book can be useful. Having been part of an undergraduate seminar with Dr. Wilson in the first edition's formative stages, I can only assume that the 2nd edition was meant to be used by undergraduates only when assisted by a very knowing and able guide. The author himself and/or possibly other scholars could help unleash the benefits of text, but to ask most undergraduates to read as a stand alone without guidance, it is probably asking too much.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Avoid Intellectual Indigestion by Chewing Slowly, July 9, 2010

By 

Gilgamesh (Middle Earth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: History in Crisis? Recent Directions in Historiography (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Don't let the size fool you. Wilson has packed a lot of knowledge and insight into a slim volume, so you should treat it like a book three times its size, and give yourself extra time to digest everything.

YOU PROBABLY WON'T GET IT ALL IN ONE READING
----------------------------------------------------
His main arguments are easy enough for undergraduate and graduate students to discern, as long as they know not to get bogged down in the names, titles, and references to various theories. How to do this? When I read it, I put a mark in the margin for each name ("n"), source/book ("s"), and theory ("t") so that I could come back to those later. I resisted the urge to look up any of it on the first reading.

AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE FIELD
---------------------------------------------------
I've found that return visits are rewarding. I have often encountered the authors or discussions about them elsewhere by that time, and I understand more about what he is saying. I've found it useful to think of this as a kind of annotated bibliography of important works in the field of history. He shares just enough to give you a sense of what he is talking about. Chances are, if he mentions someone's name in the book, then they'll be worth reading in more depth later.

COVERAGE LIMITED, BUT GOOD INTRO TO THE FIELD
---------------------------------------------------
Of course, his coverage is far from exhaustive. There are many other significant contributions to the field that I would have liked to have seen discussed in there. However, he provides a good starting point for those who want to know more about the origins, current trends, and future directions for the field.

OTHER BOOKS TO SEE
---------------------------------------------------
Much more easily digestible (but bigger) books that address similar issues include Telling the Truth about History, That Noble Dream: The 'Objectivity Question' and the American Historical Profession (Ideas in Context), The Idea of History: With Lectures 1926-1928 (an oldy, but a goody), and The Historian's Craft (also old, but wonderful).