The Practice of History

This original and important book on the study of history is now available in a new edition. G. R. Elton′s classic work is a wide–ranging, succinct and practical introduction for all students and general readers, and it makes a major contribution to the question "What is history?" This book sets out Elton′s experience in the study, writing and teaching of history. The author perceived the work as a manifesto, an explanation of his faith and practice of the subject. The book has become a classic text for students and teachers since its first publication in 1969. This edition includes a new afterword by Richard Evans which assesses the book′s relationship to Elton′s work as a whole, its impact on the historical profession and its lessons for historians today.

Preface. 1. Purpose. The Present Debate. Autonomy. Kinds. Rivals. Purpose. 2. Research. The Possibility of Historical Truth. Facts and Methods. The Sources. Evidence and Criticism. Imagination. 3. Writing. Controls. Patterns and Bias. Style. Audience. Categories. Length. Analysis and Narrative. 4. Teaching. Undergraduate Teaching: What?. Undergraduate Teaching: How?. The Graduate Student. Afterword. (Richard J. Evans). Notes. Index.

G. R. Elton was Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University from 1983 to 1988. Among his numerous works are The Tudor Revolution in Government (1953), England under the Tudors (1955), Reform and Renewal (1973), The Parliament of England 1559–1581 and The English (Blackwell, 1992), and he was founding editor of the Blackwell History of the Modern British Isles. Professor Elton was President of the Royal Historical Society from 1972 until 1976 and honorary Vice–President from 1976 until his death in 1994. Richard J. Evans is Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge. His many publications include Death in Hamburg (1987), Rituals of Retribution (1996), In Defence of History (1997, reissued with a new Afterword 2001), and Tales from the GermanUnderworld (1998).