Any book claiming to be a “companion to history”, to any history, is likely to be met with scepticism from the academic community. A justifiable question asked of its editor would be how can one single book reflect the nuances of change in the course of human history and how could it possibly provide an insight into such a vast swathe of time? The answer is that provided the editor is not attempting the impossible in trying to summarise the whole of human history then it is possible and can be done with great clarity and provide an exciting, stimulating insight. This book takes themes and structures as its basis for an insight into history after having first considered the way in which a writing of history is approached. It is a refreshing, challenging approach that will ensure academics in particular consider closely their own views and practice.
History and approaches to its study are evolving and as the world moves further into the twenty‐first century history becomes far more a shadow of tragedy. Many elements of our past seem to encompass the tragic and it seems that when looking back it becomes harder to peer into the past with any positivism. This companion offers an alternative viewpoint, it attempts to rethink understandings of history through “significant directions and themes” (p. viii). Firstly considering the way in which history is approached, it then takes the major themes of historical study opening them up to new understandings and interpretations. It aims to make history less Western and reflect its world heritage. The themes and structures used for each of the sections in part two of this book can be read individually but in reality offer an insightful connectivity, prompting the historian reader to rethink their approach to study urging academics to broaden their studies, taking into account modern developments and the growth of the global society. It does not shy away from demanding topics preferring to tackle them in an openly discursive manner and challenging the reader to think deeply about their preconceived ideas and concepts of history.
History as an evolving subject is the first topic approached by this companion, focusing on history as the past and history as the future, the way in which events of today will be become the history of tomorrow. This concludes with discussion on globalization and the way in which it will shape the future of regional and national histories. History is not, however, just about events; it is vital to account for the causes of the events too. Causation, if taken into account when studying moments and events in history, enables historians to develop their understanding of history, explain it in new ways and provide for the creation of a national narrative setting standards for future study. This is of particular importance when considering the roles undertaken by modern historians who can now be found in roles as diverse as curator and film maker. Historians are no longer “traditional” re‐tellers of events; they are now a diverse group of people applying varying practices and using a number of sources to shape the field of historical study for the future.
Major themes in history do not change dramatically; the way these themes develop within unique societies changes history. Commerce for example has always been vital for cross‐cultural communication and the spread of ideas as well as products. Methods of commerce have change dramatically over the course of history, have shaped and continue to shape history. Power is a more difficult theme to consider for by its very nature it is fluid and although the majority of historical narratives centre around power this power is rarely considered as a historical process. A short essay on this theme provides some brief insights and prompts considerable thought and so it is with each following essay looking in short, sharp detail at population; gender, culture; ethnicity; science; environment; religion and emotions before concluding with the history of ideas. These themes could be considered to be vague or broad, but the essays are academic, well researched and succinctly in‐depth.
A new approach to the study of history, prompting greater questioning and requiring considerable thought is the likely result of reading and this book. It offers a significant departure from traditional approaches to history; as a companion it does not simply offer insights, rather it tackles the entire swathe of human history, finds suitable categories in which to shape it and develops a thoughtful discussion along themes. There are few attempts to compare the themes or even moments in history, rather it is for the reader to forge their own links whilst being challenged to rethink approaches to their studies. History today continues to be made, it continues to look back and reflect upon the human past whilst moving forward and creating its own stories. How these stories are formed and used is for historians to study and share in a way that is open to change and aware of complexities in human nature. Prepare to be stimulated and challenged by a series of essays making every historian sit up and think.
