What is Cultural History? (What is History?)

by Peter Burke

This exciting introductory text offers an accessible guide to the past, present and future of cultural history, as it has been practised not only in the English-speaking world but in Continental Europe, Asia, South America and elsewhere. Burke begins by providing a discussion of the 'classic' phase of cultural history, associated with Jacob Burckhardt and Johan Huizinga, and of the Marxist reaction, from Frederick Antal to Edward Thompson. He then charts the rise of cultural history in more recent times, concentrating on the work of the last generation, often described as the 'New Cultural History'.He places cultural history in its own cultural context, noting links between new approaches to historical thought and writing and the rise of feminism, postcolonial studies and an everyday discourse in which the idea of culture plays an increasingly important part. "What is Cultural History?" will be an essential textbook for all students of history as well as those taking courses in cultural, anthropological and literary studies.

• ISBN10: 0745630758
• ISBN13: 9780745630755
• Publish Date: 11 July 2004
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 29 July 2008
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Polity Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 176
• Language: English

Reviews

[celinenyx]

Good textbook on culture history, showing how the discipline has evolved in the last few decades. Has relatively little actual methodology, but it features many key works and thinkers so you can easily learn what to read next.