Synopses & Reviews
History does not simply happen. Most often it is the result of years of graduate training, assiduous research, and careful writing. Without historians we would be ignorant of our history. Yet, far too often we focus on the final product and ignore the dedicated men and women who have dedicated their lives to producing the books. So how do historians work? The answer, as revealed in the pages of this exciting new anthology, is as varied as the historians themselves. The editors have interviewed some of the nation's most highly respected practitioners to determine their approach to teaching, research, and writing. While no two of them work the same way, they all share the conviction that the study of history is vital to mankind's sense of itself. They value rigorous training and conscientious professionalism. Both aspiring and professional historians will delight in learning how historians do their work, define their craft, and work their magic.
Synopsis
History does not simply happen, most often it is the result of years of graduate training, assiduous research, and careful writing. Yet, far too often we focus on the final product and ignore the men and women who have dedicated their lives to producing the books. So how do historians work? The answer, as revealed in the pages of this exciting new anthology, is as varied as the historians themselves. The editors have interviewed some of the nation's most highly respected practitioners to determine their approach to teaching, research, and writing. While no two of them work the same way, they all share the conviction that the study of history is vital to mankind's sense of self. They value rigorous training and conscientious professionalism. Both aspiring and professional historians will delight in learning how historians do their work, define their craft, and work their magic.
About the Author
and#160;and#160;and#160; Have you ever wondered how or why historians do what they do?and#160; This volume answers those questions.and#160; The historians themselves tell us how they became interested in history as a career, how they go about doing their research and writing, and what they see happening in the field today. Most of the historians interviewed forand#160;this volume have focused primarily on the American Civil War or have touched on the war in some way.and#160; Widely ranging in ages and career paths--academia, public history, entrepreneurship--all of themand#160;share an interest in history in general.and#160; They make painstaking efforts to get the facts right, and, just as important, to tell a good story.and#160; They write, as they say, not for the academic down the hall, but for the reader on the street. Although sharing interests and often following similar career paths, each of these historians approaches the work differently.and#160; Research habits differ, as do the mechanics of writing and the optimal time of day for taking up the pen or sitting down at the computer.and#160; They talk about the difficulties and the joys of doing history, affording the reader an understanding of what it means to be a historian today. -Judith L. Hallock
and#160;and#160;and#160; This book, the dream of Grady McWhiney, is as he intended, a practical chapbook on how to do history right. In it two dozen historians share how they research, write, and recreate the past. In the way they think and work is to be found the key to how it is truly done. While their approaches are often different, it all leads to the same end - history that tells a true and readable store, that captures the drama of the fantastic past. -John C. Waugh
and#160;and#160; Practical. This, I suggest, is the word that best describes How Historians Work. It's a hands-on exploration of the many ways historians approach their materials and tell their stories. Budding historians will learn much from the book; established historians will appreciate its insights---especially from such a variety of practitioners. Practical!and#160; andminus;Drake Bush
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Table of Contents
and#160;TABLE OF CONTENTSand#160;PROLOGUEand#160;PART I:and#160;THE INTERVIEWER INTERVIEWED1. John C. (Jack) Waughand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; HISTORICAL REPORTERand#160;PART II:and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; SPECIAL NICHES2. John Tricamoand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; THE TEACHER3. Elizabeth Shown Millsand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; FAMILY HISTORIAN4. Lynda Cristand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; CONSERVATOR OF A LEGACY5. Stephen L. Hardinand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; REGIONAL HISTORIAN, SELF-PROCLAIMED6. Bruce Windersand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; KEEPER OF THE ALAMO7. Richard Allan Bakerand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; THE LUCKIEST HISTORIAN IN THE WORLD8. Donald S. Frazier and Robert F. Paceand#160;and#160; KINDRED SOULSand#160;PART III: THE CIVIL WAR9. Anne J. Baileyand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; MILITARY STRATEGIST10. Steven E. Woodworthand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; PROLIFIC STORYTELLER11. Charles P. Rolandand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; SYNTHESIZER OF THE PAST12. Gary Gallagherand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; MASTER OF THE ESSAY13. William C. (Jack) Davisand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; JACK OF ALL TRADES14. James L. (Bud) Robertson, Jr.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; CIVIL WAR AMBASSADOR15. James M. McPhersonand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; THE GO-TO HISTORIAN16. Carol Reardonand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; MILITARY MAVENand#160;PART IV: THE LARGER WORLD17. Daniel E. Sutherlandand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ALL-COURT PLAYER18. Perry D. Jamiesonand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; ONE MAN, TWO WORLDS19. Robert T. Maberry, Jr.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; A PASSION FOR HISTORY20. Ari Hoogenboomand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; HISTORICAL HANDYMAN21. Eugene Genoveseand#160;and#160;and#160; SLAVERY'S SCHOLAR22. Elizabeth Fox-Genoveseand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; VERSATILE HISTORIAN23. Forrest McDonaldand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; MASTER OF EPIPHANIES24. David Herbert Donaldand#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; THE MENTORand#160;INDEX