Key Issues in Historical Theory

Key Issues in Historical Theory is a fresh, clear and well-grounded introduction to a vibrant field of inquiry. With examples from novels, music, journalism and politics, the book expertly engages the reader in discussions of what history is, how people relate to the past and how they are formed by the past. Over 11 thematically-based chapters, Herman Paul discusses subjects such as: • history, memory and trauma• historical experience and narrative• moral and political dimensions of history • historical reasoning and explanation • truth, plausibility and objectivity Key Issues in Historical Theory convincingly shows that historical theory is not limited to reflection on professional historical studies, but offers valuable tools for understanding autobiographical writing, cultural heritage and political controversies about the past. This thoroughly revised edition is brought up-to-date with new examples, while also covering recent debates on presentism, post-truth and the Anthropocene. With text boxes providing additional focus on a range of key topics, this is an accessible and innovative guide to the field of historical theory.

About the Author

Herman Paul is Professor of the History of the Humanities at Leiden University, the Netherlands, and an elected member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). He is the author of multiple books including Hayden White: The Historical Imagination (2011) and Historians’ Virtues: From Antiquity to the Twenty-First Century (2022).