Students Guide to History [Paperback]

Jules R. Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312149778 | ISBN-13: 978-0312149772 | Publication Date: September 1997 | Edition: 7th

This work discusses the central concepts and methods of history, reviews basic study skills, and provides guidance on four major concerns for students: how to study for and take exams; how to write short papers and book reviews; how to formulate and research a history topic; and how to write a research paper. Using textbooks effectively and conducting on-line research are additions to this study skills title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

""A very good nuts-and-bolts guide to history that is valuable for the whole range of students, from students who need help taking notes and understanding their textbooks, to strong history majors who aim to become sophisticated, independent researchers." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

A professor of history for 30 years, JULES R. BENJAMIN has recently retired from Ithaca College. His current research focuses on higher education in the digital age, and his scholarly works concern modern United States and Latin American diplomatic history. He is the author of several books and articles, including The United States and Cuba: Hegemony and Dependent Development, 1880-1934 (1977) and The United States and the Origins of the Cuban Revolution: An Empire of Liberty in an Age of National Liberation (1990).

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 7th edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312149778
• ISBN-13: 978-0312149772
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,766,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential handbook for college history students., February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Students Guide to History (Paperback)

I like its clear organization which makes the book easy to understand. Its headings are focused and consistent with teaching the important academic skills necessary for college students to be successful in the study of college history. The sections on the net and databases are invaluable. If students wish to do well in their history courses, this is the book for them.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Assistant for Teaching about Historical Thinking, November 5, 2007

By 

TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Student's Guide to History (Paperback)

I use this book in my "Learning Strategies for History" college course that I have taught now for 4 semesters. I replaced the Pugh&Pace book with this one for several reasons but Benjamin's book is not perfect and should be used along with a program that introduces and challenges to practice the skills he discusses.

The book has 5 chapters. The first is a description of history as as subject and how it is used in every day life. The examples of primary and secondary materials is especially useful and this continues throughout the book.

The second chapter covers what I call the "nuts and bolts" of history classes. First the different types of reading you will have to do and briefly how you should approach each type whether it be a legal code, a personal letter, a photograph or a map. Second he too briefly discusses note taking and this is where students will need a lot of very solid examples of the various techniques as well as repeated practice. Finally he discusses exam preparation and taking.

The third chapter looks at different types of writing assignments and how to approach them. Again students will need guides to grammar and practice with each type of assignment.

Chapter four gets into the heart of any upper level history course: research. His end book guide to various books and online resources is very valuable as a starting place. This chapter also illustrates a few ways to take notes from what you are reading and there is a solid guide to citation and bibliography construction.

The final chapter not only discusses how to write a research paper,and to a degree any paper, but also walks the reader through a sample paper. I'm not thrille with endnotes myself nor with including images in one's college paper but still it is better than no example at all. By listing the major points the author is making in the sample paper in the margins I think it is a good guide for students attempting to organize their own writing. Again though students will require practice and feedback.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great introductory companion for the study of history, November 26, 2007

By 

scabflakes (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Student's Guide to History (Paperback)

I was assigned this book for my historical methods course while in college. Throughout my time as a history major, it proved to be very helpful. The most important aspects of the book, for me, were the citation and format examples. It is common knowledge that one can just buy a style guide book, but Benjamin's effort provides the context in which it should be used. The listings of where to find information on the web as well as in journals, monographs, etc. is priceless. Another book that was assigned for my course that I feel was more helpful in my study of historiography and how to view history was Edward Hallet Carr's What Is History? I highly recommend both of these books for the college history student or someone that is interested in the methodology of history.