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Edward Hallett Carr
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What Is History? Paperback – 29 November 1990

by Edward Hallett Carr (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 502
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'Simply to show how it really was' Ranke, stating what he considered the proper aim of the historian, filled generations of historians after him with a burning zeal for objectivity. But who is to say how things were? In formulating a modern answer to the question 'What Is History?', Professor Carr shows that the 'facts' of history are simply those which historians have selected for scrutiny. Millions have crossed the Rubicon, but the historians tell us that only Caesar's crossing was significant. All historical facts come to us as a result of the interpretive choices by historians influenced by the standards of their age. Yet if absolute objectivity is impossible, the role of the historian need in no way suffer; nor does history lose its fascination. This posthumous edition includes new material by R.W. Davies which presents the major conclusions of Professor Carr's notes for the second edition and a new prefce by the author, in which he reflects on the current mood of pessimism and despair among Western intellectuals and calls for 'a saner and more balanced outlook on the future'.
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  1. Print length
    208 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Press
  4. Publication date
    29 November 1990
  5. Dimensions
    12.95 x 1.24 x 19.69 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    9780140135848
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140135848
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Edward Hallett Carr was born in 1892 and educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, London, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was Craven scholar and took a double first in classics. He joined the Foreign Office in 1916 and after numerous jobs in and connected with the F.O. at home and abroad he re­signed in 1936 and became Wilson Professor of International Politics at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He was Assistant Editor of The Times from 1941 to 1946, Tutor in Politics at BaIliol College, Oxford, from 1953 to 1955, and became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1955 and an Honorary Fellow of BaIliol College, Oxford, in 1966. He received the CBE in 1920.

As a historian he is best known for his monumental History of Soviet Russia, which the Guardian referred to as 'among the most important works by a British historian this century' and The Times called 'an outstanding historical achievement'. He began his History in 1945 and worked at it for nearly thirty years. It occupies fourteen volumes plus a summary, The Russian Revolution- Lenin to Stalin. Several parts of the History have been published by Penguin- The Bolshevik Revolution, 1917-1923 (in three volumes); The Interregnum, 1921-1924; Socialism in One Country, 1924-1926 (in three volumes); and Foundations of a Pl

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140135847
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Press; 2 edition (29 November 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140135848
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140135848
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.95 x 1.24 x 19.69 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 502

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Edward Hallett Carr

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Suman
5.0 out of 5 stars History textbook
Reviewed in India on 25 October 2023
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Essential textbook for undergraduate level. Latest edition at good discount
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sophomore
4.0 out of 5 stars ottimo libro
Reviewed in Italy on 12 May 2020
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avevo letto questo libro negli anni '70 nella versione italiana, è stata un'ottima esperienza quella di rileggerlo in edizione originale con la coscienza dell'evoluzione del contesto storico, delle sue predizioni in parte avveratesi in parte no. Un classico da leggere per ogni seria cultura sul metodo storiografico. Ho apprezzato le citazioni di Benedetto Croce e del suo pensiero sulla Storia.
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Bertrand
5.0 out of 5 stars Envoi rapide livre bon état comme prévu
Reviewed in France on 11 November 2019
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Envoi rapide, livre d'occasion en bon état comme prévu. Parfait
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Leon Lam
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic on philosophy of history
Reviewed in the United States on 18 February 2017
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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.
2 people found this helpful
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道案と米友
5.0 out of 5 stars 良書だと思う
Reviewed in Japan on 21 April 2020
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古典的？　名著　私如きが評価するものではないと思う　ちょっとクドイ所がある気がしなくもないが。
昔々、大学一年生の時に読めと買わされた本　久々に出てきたので初めて最後まで読んだら結構面白かった
英語でも読んでみようと思い購入　自分の語学力ではとてもそのまま読めない所が多く　英文を読んで日本文
スピードラーニングならぬ　「スローリーディング」　あっそうか！こう読むのか！　とそれなりに楽しい。　
3 people found this helpful
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