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Practicing History: Selected Essays Audiobook
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(3.05) - 237 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Master historian Barbara W. Tuchman looks at history in a unique way and draws lessons from what she sees. This accessible introduction to the subject of history offers striking insights into American's past and present, trenchant observations on the international scene, and thoughtful pieces on the historian's role. History should not just be a series of facts, names, and dates—it should be a flowing narrative, the story of humanity, written as vividly as a novel.
Here is a splendid body of work, the story of a lifetime spent "practicing history."
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"Essays on the craft of writing history and the nature of being a historian. A fitting climax to the series of wonderful books which have made both the Middle Ages and 20th century history accessible to the literate lay reader and still be of service to the student of history. "
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A book to celebrate…A delight to read.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“The essays about writing in Practicing History are an invaluable and charming tutorial for those interested in learning the historian’s craft. History students, especially those entering graduate study, would be well advised to steep themselves in her advice.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Persuades and enthralls…I can think of no better primer for the nonexpert who wishes to learn history.”
— Chicago Sun-Times -
“Provocative, consistent, and beautifully readable, an event not to be missed by history buffs.”
— Baltimore Sun -
“I was then, and am still, in awe of her ability to write history and make it readable. This volume of essays is no exception.”
— International Social Science Review
Practicing History Listener Reviews
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" As might be expected of any contemporary essays or opinion pieces, some in this collection are still currently relevant, while others are of historical interest. I find her historical books to be far more involving and enjoyable. "
— jeffrey, 8/19/2013 -
" Reading this book was a requirement for one of my college history classes. It is probably the finest book written on the craft of history as an art form. I dip into it fairly often. Tuchman was a master historian! "
— Rae, 1/16/2013 -
" Quite simply, the best book about writing history, by one the best writers of history. "
— Clark, 1/12/2013 -
" A very good overview of how a historian does her "job" and some of the results of her work. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading history. "
— Joe, 12/24/2012 -
" About the writing of history by one of the best historians of our time. A must-read for anyone who is interested in good writing and accurate, interesting history. "
— Leena, 8/10/2012 -
" Essays on the craft of writing history and the nature of being a historian. A fitting climax to the series of wonderful books which have made both the Middle Ages and 20th century history accessible to the literate lay reader and still be of service to the student of history. "
— Susan, 5/30/2012 -
" Great book for someone trying to write about history. "
— Wendy, 5/24/2012 -
" Several essays are brilliant, plus there is a wide array of subjects. In particular: <br/> <br/>How We Entered World War I <br/>Pedicaris Alive or Raisuli Dead <br/>The Final Solution <br/> <br/>My first intro to Tuchman and I'll definitely read more. "
— Patrick, 1/5/2009 -
" About the writing of history by one of the best historians of our time. A must-read for anyone who is interested in good writing and accurate, interesting history. "
— Leena, 3/21/2008
About Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. Tuchman (1912–1989) was a self-trained historian and author who achieved prominence with The Zimmerman Telegram and international fame with The Guns of August, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1963. She received her BA degree from Radcliffe College in 1933 and worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Pacific Relations in New York and Tokyo from 1934 to 1935. She then began working as a journalist and contributed to publications including The Nation, for which she covered the Spanish Civil War as a foreign correspondent in 1937. Her other books, include The Proud Tower, A Distant Mirror, Practicing History, The March of Folly, The First Salute, and Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-45, also awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1980 the National Endowment for the Humanities selected her to deliver the Jefferson Lecture, the US government’s highest honor for intellectual achievement in the humanities.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.