Customer Reviews
The best historiography textbook - By: A. Tatton, 08 Nov 2007 
John Tosh isin my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notesin the margins explaining more complicated termsin a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly isin his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.
Good read but hard-going in parts - By: Mr. N. W. Douglas, 03 Oct 2007 
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature & purpose of history at uni & it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources & oral history, themes & many othersin an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, & I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.
Excellent - By: Prospero77, 04 Nov 2001 Having studied a BA Honours degreein American & European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm & a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' & 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' & 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence & if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose & complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism & theory with great skill & I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surelyin these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievementin itself; Well done John!
An Excellent book for amateur historians and students! - By: , 07 Jan 2001 This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual & written history. As it saysin the title the author looks at "aims, methods & new directionsin the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary & secondary sources.
