On the Future of History: The Postmodernist Challenge and Its Aftermath

On the Future of History: The Postmodernist Challenge and Its Aftermath

Department

History

Document Type

Book

Files

Description

What does postmodernism mean for the future of history? Can one still write history in postmodernity? To answer questions such as these, Ernst Breisach provides the first comprehensive overview of postmodernism and its complex relationship to history and historiography. Placing postmodern theories in their intellectual and historical contexts, he shows how they are part of broad developments in Western culture. Breisach sees postmodernism as neither just a fad nor a universal remedy. In clear and concise language, he presents and critically evaluates the major views on history held by influential postmodernists, such as Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, and the new narrativists. Along the way, he introduces to the reader major debates among historians over postmodern theories of evidence, objectivity, meaning and order, truth, and the usefulness of history. He also discusses new types of history that have emerged as a consequence of postmodernism, including cultural history, microhistory, and new historicism. For anyone concerned with the postmodern challenge to history, both advocates and critics alike, On the Future of History will be a welcome guide.

ISBN

ISBN0226072800

Publication Date

11-15-2003

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

City

Chicago

Disciplines

History

Citation for published book

Breisach, Ernst. On the Future of History : The Postmodernist Challenge and Its Aftermath / Ernst Breisach. 2003. Print.

On the Future of History: The Postmodernist Challenge and Its Aftermath

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