The Pursuit of History
Aims, methods and new directions in the study of history
By John Tosh | Publisher: Taylor and Francis
About the book
This classic introduction to the study of history invites the reader to stand back and consider some of its most fundamental questions - what is the point of studying history? How do we know about the past? Does an objective historical truth exist and can we ever access it?
In answering these central questions, John Tosh argues that, despite the impression of fragmentation created by postmodernism in recent years, history is a coherent discipline which still bears the imprint of its nineteenth-century origins. Consistently clear-sighted, he provides a lively and compelling guide to a complex and sometimes controversial subject, while making his readers vividly aware of just how far our historical knowledge is conditioned by the character of the sources and the methods of the historians who work on them.
The sixth edition has been revised and updated with key new material including:
- a brand new chapter on public history
- sections on digitised sources and historical controversy
- discussion of topics including transnational history and the nature of the archive
- an expanded range of examples and case studies
- a comprehensive companion website providing valuable supporting material, study questions and a bank of primary sources.
Lucid and engaging, this edition retains all the user-friendly features that have helped to make this book a favourite with both students and lecturers, including marginal glosses, illustrations and suggestions for further reading. Along with its companion website, this is an essential guide to the theory and practice of history.
Editions of The Pursuit of History
- EBook
- ISBN 9781317542001
- PDF
- ISBN 9781317542018
Read an Excerpt
This classic introduction to the study of history invites the reader to stand back and consider some of its most fundamental questions - what is the point of studying history? How do we know about the past? Does an objective historical truth exist and can we ever access it?
In answering these central questions, John Tosh argues that, despite the impression of fragmentation created by postmodernism in recent years, history is a coherent discipline which still bears the imprint of its nineteenth-century origins. Consistently clear-sighted, he provides a lively and compelling guide to a complex and sometimes controversial subject, while making his readers vividly aware of just how far our historical knowledge is conditioned by the character of the sources and the methods of the historians who work on them.
The sixth edition has been revised and updated with key new material including:
- a brand new chapter on public history
- sections on digitised sources and historical controversy
- discussion of topics including transnational history and the nature of the archive
- an expanded range of examples and case studies
- a comprehensive companion website providing valuable supporting material, study questions and a bank of primary sources.
Lucid and engaging, this edition retains all the user-friendly features that have helped to make this book a favourite with both students and lecturers, including marginal glosses, illustrations and suggestions for further reading. Along with its companion website, this is an essential guide to the theory and practice of history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Pursuit of History about?
This classic introduction to the study of history invites the reader to stand back and consider some of its most fundamental questions - what is the point of studying history? How do we know about the past? Does an objective historical truth exist and can we ever access it?
In answering these central questions, John Tosh argues that, despite the impression of fragmentation created by postmodernism in recent years, history is a coherent discipline which still bears the imprint of its nineteenth-century origins. Consistently clear-sighted, he provides a lively and compelling guide to a complex and sometimes controversial subject, while making his readers vividly aware of just how far our historical knowledge is conditioned by the character of the sources and the methods of the historians who work on them.
The sixth edition has been revised and updated with key new material including:
- a brand new chapter on public history
- sections on digitised sources and historical controversy
- discussion of topics including transnational history and the nature of the archive
- an expanded range of examples and case studies
- a comprehensive companion website providing valuable supporting material, study questions and a bank of primary sources.
Lucid and engaging, this edition retains all the user-friendly features that have helped to make this book a favourite with both students and lecturers, including marginal glosses, illustrations and suggestions for further reading. Along with its companion website, this is an essential guide to the theory and practice of history.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Pursuit of History?
History and Archaeology > History > History: theory and methods
Where can I read a sample of The Pursuit of History?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781317542001
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Pursuit of History?
John Tosh
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Pursuit of History is available as ebook(ISBN 9781317542001) and pdf(ISBN 9781317542018)