What Happened to History? [Hardcover]

Willie Thompson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0745312683 | ISBN-13: 978-0745312682 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000

This original study explores the development of the postmodern turn in history, brought on by the social, political and cultural changes of the 1970s and 1980s. Challenging notions of certainty and objectivity, postmodernism has questioned traditional models and methods in studying history. A timely intervention in an increasingly contentious area, this book evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of postmodern history. Beginning with a brief account of historiography as an academic discipline, with its origins in the 'scientific historiography' of the nineteenth century, Willie Thompson charts the growth and development of the historical method in the twentieth century. He examines the impact of Marxist historiography, particularly in Britain and the United States, and the emergence of new approaches to history exemplified by the work of E.P. Thompson and others. In addition, Thompson assesses the impact of feminist, black and minority history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Willie Thompson is a professor in the School of Social Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University. He is the author of numerous books, the most recent being Global Expansion: Britain and its Empire, 1870–1914 (Pluto Press, 2000).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745312683
• ISBN-13: 978-0745312682
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,382,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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