Abstract
The book deals with the method of writing history and very skillfully guides the reader to research the methodology of history. The author states that the primary aim of the book is to ‘introduce the reader to the most basic procedures and skills necessary for studying history’ and reaches the objective successfully. The book has been aptly divided into ten chapters, each chapter suitably dealing with different aspects of the methodology of writing history. History, like any other discipline, needs the rigour of scientific methodology to be definitive or affirmative about the conclusions and the past. The evidence cannot be taken at face value and needs to go through a process of verification before it can be established as truth. In general understanding, writing of history means mere compilation of data and it limits the role of historians in it. Thus, writing of history becomes anyone’s job and anyone becomes competent to write history. However, students and practitioners of history know the difference between the two and understand the sanctity of methodology and the role of the historian in studying and writing of history. The book caters to researchers as well as any other reader who is interested in history. The importance of it can be gauged from the fact that history is not merely a discipline, it has been politicised in such ways that it has become a subject of public interest and controversy. According to the author, ‘the major social function assigned to history has been to shape the public’s “we-self”, by bringing to conscious collective memories of “our” past experience through narrative and explanation’. Hence, the value of history depends in large measure upon how one goes about studying it. This sets the tone for the subject matter of the book.
The story of history, as a discipline itself, is of a long journey covering the millennium. The journey of history generally goes back to Herodotus and the works like ‘History’ and ‘history of Peloponnesian war’ and the ‘providential’ history written during the first millennium
As a part of the Introductory background, the author looks into past educational policies, government documents and views and opinions of historians on the subject matter. In the following chapter, he emphasises on history as an academic discipline, and chapters further deal with different aspects of writing history. At the end, he also provides a checklist for thesis writers which will be of much use for any young researcher. Sources are important as without facts history cannot be written. The book not only guides the reader in dealing with sources—both primary and secondary—it also warns historians not to make themselves ‘victims of someone else’s decisions about which source materials are relevant’. Elton as quoted by the author sums up not only the purpose of the discipline and work but also the importance of history. ‘History does not exist without people, and whatever is described happens through and to people.’ The book is a must-read for everyone, whomsoever is interested in history as well as researchers who are in the business of writing history. It is not only studying history but practicing history which can keep a society vibrant and alive. The book serves the purpose and is conscious of the fact that ‘history has the capacity to heal not only some of the pain in the collective consciousness but also some of the pain of social conflict’. This book is highly recommended and is a must-read for everyone.