What Is History (Pelican) by E H Carr (1964-01-07): Edward Hallett Carr: Amazon.com: Books

Though published more than forty years ago, this book has contemporary relevance. A series of lectures given by the author at Cambridge University, it covers topics such as "The Historian and His Facts" and History as progress." The author rejects the notions of Hegal and Marx that history automatically has transcendent meaning. On the other hand neither it it series of random events. He tells us that all history is rinsed through the background filters of those who write it. Therefore "revisionist history" is not an occasional accident produced by over zealous observers, it is the only kind of history available to us. This a good read, perhaps marred slightly by over generalizations. The group discussion in which I participated was simulating.

Carr has a clarity and wit that recognizes the perils of historical writing and I found this book very illuminating. I've not read anything else by him, but he's a marvelous analyst.

It’s a great introduction to the discipline of history for newbies without getting too technical or philosophical.

.This superb old book is a thoughtful attempt to define the study of history and historiography. Carr's basic thesis is that people's opinions change throughout their life times, are maleable, and depend on what is going on in the world at any given moment.The following quote from the book sums up the author's thesis nicely:......"I am fully aware that, if anyone took the trouble to peruse some of the things I wrote before, during, and after the war, he would have no difficulty at all in convicting me of contradictions and inconsistencies at least as glaring as any I have detected in others. Indeed, I am not sure that I should envy any historian who could honestly claim to have lived through the earth-shaking events of the past fifty years without some radical modifications of his outlook. My purpose is merely to show how closely the work of the historian mirrors the society in which he works. It is not merely the events that are in flux. The historian himself is in flux. When you take up a historical work, it is not enough to look for the author's name on the title page: look also for the date of publication or writing--it is sometimes even more revealing. If the philosopher is right in telling us that we cannot step into the same river twice, it is perhaps equally true, and for the same reason, that two books cannot be written by the same historian." (Carr 51-52).The book was written in 1961 but is bright and sparkling and applicable to our own generation's thinking and perceptions.Kim BurdickStanton, Delaware

E. H. Carr's classic gives a precise and succinct analysis of the nature of History, both as a discipline and a way of thinking. His rejection of empiricism is persuasive and constructive to the understanding of historical views. The key theme of progress (or changes, in a more neutral way) is undoubtedly the pillar of History. Carr's call for a more inclusive approach to history is remarkable. In my opinion, his alarming warning on the parochialism prevalent in Britain greatly improved the perception of other peoples and cultures in the English-speaking world. A must-read for all.