Aims, Methods and New Directions in the Study of History is a study book by John Tosh on the theory and methods of the historical discipline. This overview work offers a clear introduction for students and professionals who want to understand the fundamentals of historical writing.
The book addresses the core questions in the field of study, such as the purpose of history, the reliability of historical knowledge, and the search for objective truth. Tosh highlights the coherence of the discipline, despite recent postmodern influences, and discusses new directions within the field.
Contents and features
This edition gives extra attention to digitization and its impact on source criticism and history in the public sphere. The book is up to date, with expanded references to American and international research, and concludes with a reflection on the relevance of historical perspectives to contemporary issues.
Thanks to its accessible style, illustrations, and suggestions for further reading, it is an indispensable guide for anyone delving into the study, methods and new directions in history.
Product specifications
- Author: John Tosh
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Imprint: Routledge
- Publication date: 2021-08-12
- Number of pages: 308
- ISBN: 9780367902469
- Subject: History: theory and methods
- BISAC: HISTORY / Historiography
About the author
John Tosh is Emeritus Professor of History at Roehampton University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He has written several standard works on historiography, including The Pursuit of History and Why History Matters.