Practicing History: New Directions in Historical Writing after the Linguistic Turn

This essential new collection of key articles offers a re-evaluation of where history is now in terms of theory and practice. In light of current debates, critical thinkers and practicing historians present their writings, along with clear and thorough editorial material, to examine the complex ideas at the forefront of historical practice. The volume gives a synoptic overview of the last twenty-five years' theoretical analysis of historical writing with a critical examination of the central concepts and positions that have been in debate. The collection delineates the emergence of "practice theory" as a possible paradigm for future historical interpretation concerned with questions of agency, experience and the subject. These complex ideas are presented to students in this accessible reader, and for teachers and historians, this new survey is an indispensable and timely read.