This book argues that in the work of trained historians, as well as amateurs, English local history is weakened by a pervasive antiquarianism: an obsession with detail as opposed to substance. It examines such antiquarianism and shows it to be educationally damaging and wasteful of resources. The author examines the development of the main concepts in local history, and shows the importance of comparative and regional study, pursued through an ongoing and developing debate. He condemns the use of local history merely as a 'quarry', and suggests that local residents, societies and followers of family history can be brought together in the study of a new form of people's history - one which reflects the life experiences of the people concerned, and only then moves back into other, less familiar periods.
- ISBN10 1859282903
- ISBN13 9781859282908
- Publish Date 28 February 1997
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 20 August 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Imprint Scolar Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 162
- Language English