What Happened to History?, livre ebook

This original study explores the development of the postmodern turn in history, brought on by the social, political and cultural changes of the 1970s and 1980s. Challenging notions of certainty and objectivity, postmodernism has questioned traditional models and methods in studying history. A timely intervention in an increasingly contentious area, this book evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of postmodern history.
Beginning with a brief account of historiography as an academic discipline, with its origins in the 'scientific historiography' of the nineteenth century, Willie Thompson charts the growth and development of the historical method in the twentieth century. He examines the impact of Marxist historiography, particularly in Britain and the United States, and the emergence of new approaches to history exemplified by the work of E.P. Thompson and others. In addition, Thompson assesses the impact of feminist, black and minority history.
1. Introduction

2. Twentieth-century Historiography: the Emergence of ' Histories'

3. The Development of Marxist Historiography

4. E P Thompson and the Emergence of Social History

5. Feminist, Black and Minority histories

6. Causes: The Postmodern Turn

7. Consequences: History in the Aftermath

8. Oppositional Historiography and the Marxist conflict with Postmodern History

9. Conclusion: Strengths, Weaknesses and Agendas for the Future

Notes and References

Bibliography

Index