The new edition of G. R. Elton's classic work is a wide-ranging, succinct and practical introduction for all students and general readers of history. It makes a major contribution to the question "what is history?".
Preface. 1. Purpose.
The Present Debate.
Autonomy.
Kinds.
Rivals.
Purpose.
2. Research.
The Possibility of Historical Truth.
Facts and Methods.
The Sources.
Evidence and Criticism.
Imagination.
3. Writing.
Controls.
Patterns and Bias.
Style.
Audience.
Categories.
Length.
Analysis and Narrative.
4. Teaching.
Undergraduate Teaching: What?.
Undergraduate Teaching: How?.
The Graduate Student.
Afterword. (Richard J. Evans).
Notes.
Index.
