Writing Contemporary History

Tackles the key questions faced by contemporary historians today Provides a valuable overview for students and scholars new to the subject Focusses on the practical application of theory in writing history Includes chapters on gender, postcolonialism and political violence

Writing Contemporary History is an invaluable introduction to the central debates that have shaped the field of contemporary history.Writing Contemporary History brings together some of the world's most pre-eminent historians to discuss the core issues confronting students of contemporary history today. Tackling ten key questions of current historiographical debate, each chapter sets in parallel and in opposition the contributions of two scholars. Questions include: Does gender history have a future? When does colonial history end? What is cultural history now about? This volume takes to heart the central rationale of the Writing History series, namely to combine theoretical reflection with the practice of producing historical texts. It introduces the reader to a variety of important theoretical approaches in the field of contemporary history writing and asks how these approaches have shaped historical writing in this important sub-discipline. Writing Contemporary History is an invaluable introduction to the central debates that have shaped the field of contemporary history.