What Is History?

What Is History? examines the fundamental nature of historical study and writing through a series of lectures delivered by E.H. Carr at Cambridge University in 1961. The book challenges conventional views about historical facts, objectivity, and the role of the historian in interpreting past events. Through six core chapters, Carr explores the relationship between historians and their facts, analyzes connections between individuals and society, and investigates how causation operates in historical events. The text presents arguments about the scientific nature of history and questions whether moral judgments have a place in historical interpretation. The ideas in What Is History? sparked significant debate within academic circles and led to multiple responses from other historians, including Geoffrey Elton's The Practice of History. After Carr's death, subsequent editions included new material and commentary from other scholars, expanding the book's scope and continuing its influence on historiographical discussion. This seminal work addresses essential questions about how we understand and write about the past, investigating the boundaries between objectivity and interpretation in historical study.

Readers appreciate Carr's examination of how historians select, interpret and present historical facts. Many note his clear explanations of objectivity vs. subjectivity in historical writing. Students find the book helps them understand historiography concepts, though some say the writing style is dense and repetitive. Likes: - Questions conventional ideas about historical "truth" - Explains historian bias and source interpretation - Works through complex ideas methodically Dislikes: - Academic tone can be dry - Some arguments feel dated - Repetitive points in middle chapters - Limited concrete examples Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) Reader quote: "Changed how I view all historical writing. Makes you question every 'fact' you read." - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Important ideas buried in unnecessarily complex prose. Could have been shorter." - Amazon reviewer

The Practice of History by Geoffrey Elton Written as a direct response to Carr's work, this text presents a contrasting view of historical methodology and the role of evidence in historical research.

In Defense of History by Richard J. Evans Examines the challenges to historical knowledge in the modern era, addressing similar questions about objectivity and truth that Carr explored.

The Pursuit of History by John Tosh Provides a comprehensive analysis of historical methods and interpretations, building on many of the fundamental questions Carr raised about historical study.

The Landscape of History by John Lewis Gaddis Explores the relationship between historical research and scientific method, expanding on Carr's discussions about history as a science.

Historical Knowledge, Historical Error by Allan Megill Analyzes the philosophical foundations of historical knowledge and the nature of historical truth, continuing the epistemological discussions central to Carr's work.

🔷 The lectures that formed this book were delivered as the George Macaulay Trevelyan Lectures at the University of Cambridge in 1961. 🔷 E. H. Carr was not only a historian but also a diplomat who worked for the British Foreign Office during WWI and was involved in the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. 🔷 The book has sold over a quarter of a million copies since its publication and has been translated into more than 15 languages. 🔷 What Is History? emerged during a period of significant debate about historical methods, particularly challenging the traditional "Whig interpretation of history" that dominated British historiography. 🔷 Prior to writing this philosophical work on history, Carr was primarily known for his extensive 14-volume history of Soviet Russia, which took him 30 years to complete.