Description:
This classic introduction to history asks: What is the point of studying history? How do we know the past? John Tosh and Sean Lang argue history remains essential despite postmodernist critiques. With updates on school history, global trends, and AI, this accessible guide is vital for understanding the theory and practice of history.
Review Quotes:
Praise for previous editions:
"The Pursuit of History has many strengths. It is extremely well‐written and lucid. It strikes a very nice balance between tracing historiography, delineating historical methodology, and discussing the major historiographical developments over the last few decades. Comprehensive, insightful and conversant with the latest historiographical currents, it is essential reading in any undergraduate or graduate theory and method course."
Thomas W. Gallant, University of California, San Diego, USA
"The Pursuit of History is the most useful introduction to recent historiography now available. It surveys major trends and achievements more clearly and concisely than its main competitors, and is an excellent and easy resource for contextualising other historical writings of all kinds. It can add a great deal to students' understanding of historical writing."
Nicholas Karn, University of Southampton, UK
"John Tosh's book is the most useful introduction to recent historiography now available. It surveys major trends and achievements more clearly and concisely than its main competitors, and is an excellent and easy resource for contextualising other historical writings of all kinds. It can add a great deal to students' understanding of historical writing."
Nicholas Karn, University of Southampton, UK