What Is History?
Books | History / Historiography
3.8
Edward Hallet Carr
Who is to say how things really were? In formulating a modern answer to the question 'What is History?' Professor Carr shows that the 'facts' of history are simply those which historians have selected for scrutiny. Millions have crossed the Rubicon, but the historians tell us that only Caesar's crossing was significant. All historical facts come to us as a result of interpretative choices by historians influenced by the standards of their age. Yet if absolute objectivity is impossible, the role of the historian need in no way suffer; nor does history lose its fascination. With lucidity, Carr casts a light on the proper function of the historian and the vital importance of history in modern society. “This is an admirably stimulating and intrepid book, a bold excursion into a region of central importance where most contemporary philosophers and historians, unaccountably, either fear or disdain to tread.”—Isaiah Berlin, New Statesman
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Author
Edward Hallet Carr
Pages
224
Publisher
National Geographic Books
Published Date
1967-10-12
ISBN
039470391X 9780394703916
Ratings
Google: 2
Community ReviewsSee all
"Brief, crisp, and deeply insightful, Carr's short book ([100 pages) tackles the central questions of historiography - from what determines a " historical fact" and the great man theory of history to issues of morality/judgement and the role of causation in history. In the final section, Carr delves into the idea of "progress" and notes that "the fall of the West" may in fact be progress for the rest of the world - it's all a matter of perspective.<br/><br/>You can read this book in an hour or two. You'll probably think about it for much longer."
Max Nova