Pursuit of History : Aims, Methods and New Directions in the Study of Modern History

'This is exactly the kind of book to recommEND warmly to any student wanting a general introduction to the discipline of history. It is highly accessible and could as easily be handled by the general reader wanting to know what is happening to history today.' British Book News 'Tosh provides an excellent introduction to methodology in history which will be read with advantage by historians at any stage of their development.' History '...admirably up-to-date, well-researched and written with the kind of brio which might alone suggest that history is exciting....The judgements are individual and sometimes controversial but there is no better tour d'horizon on the market.' Journal of African History 'Tosh writes clearly and pungently...a very satisfactory as well as stimulating vade-mecum for all who work at history.' Times Higher Education Supplement This titmely Revised EDITION of The Pursuit of History examines important questions about historians and their work: Why do we study history? What use is it? How do we construct our knowledge of the past? Can we apply to history the methods and objectives of the social sciences? What are the limitations of historical evidence? What different kinds of history are being written today? History is more relevant and popular today than ever. John Tosh's guide is the essential and accessible introduction to every aspect of the practice of history.