A History for the Future: Rewriting Memory and Identity in Quebec (Studies on the History of Quebec/Etudes D'histoire Du Quebec) [Paperback]

Jocelyn Letourneau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2004 | Series: Studies on the History of Quebec/Etudes D'histoire Du Quebec

In "A History for the Future", Jocelyn Letourneau, a leader of the new wave of Quebec intellectuals, examines the hotly debated topics of history and memory in Quebec and Canada. Rather than focus on the past itself, he considers the challenge of turning the past into a narrative that contributes to building a better society, thereby establishing a liberating legacy for that society's heirs. As relatively new societies whose memories and histories are built on European foundations, the interrelated narratives of Quebec and Canadian history provide a rich body of material for such a far-reaching reflection. By investigating the role Quebec's historical narrative plays for contemporary Quebecers, Letourneau shows how interpretations of the past affect a society's future. "A History for the Future" will be of interest to all those who reflect on the relationship between memory, giving meaning to the past, writing history, and a society's common aspirations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stunningly intelligent, provocative, perceptive, and at once scholarly and poetic, this is a major book that ranks among significant works dealing with Quebec identity. Completely original ... it is the work of an eminent intellectual whose profound, sensitive, and rigorous analysis will renew the debate on this topic. This book must be read, reflected on, discussed, even taken issue with, but it must not be ignored." Louis Cornellier, Le Devoir

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773527257
• ISBN-13: 978-0773527256
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,126,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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