History is to society what memory is to the individual—without it, we don’t know who we are and we can’t make wise decisions about our future. But while the nature of memory is constant, the nature of history has changed radically over the past forty years.
In The Purpose of the Past, historian Gordon S. Wood examines this sea change in his field through consideration of some of its most important historians and their works. Along the way, he offers wonderful insight into what great historians do, how they can stumble, and what strains of thought have dominated the marketplace of ideas in historical scholarship. The result is a history of American history—and an argument for its ongoing necessity.
A commanding assessment of the field by one of its masters, The Purpose of the Past will enlarge every reader’s capacity to appreciate history.
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"Wood uses the occasion of the book review to expound on the various ways that history can be used and abused (frequently the latter). Thus book is methodologically rich but carries along with elegant and highly readable prose." — James (4 out of 5 stars)
"Wood uses the occasion of the book review to expound on the various ways that history can be used and abused (frequently the latter). Thus book is methodologically rich but carries along with elegant and highly readable prose."
“[Wood] possesses as profound a grasp of the early days of the Republic as anyone now working.”
“Essential reading for anyone who cares about history.”
“Illuminating...[Wood’s] pitch-perfect erudition is legendary.”
“Fruitful reading for academics and history buffs alike.”
" Only attempt if you are seriously ready to get your history geek on. "
" Chapter 10 "
" Gordon Wood is an intellectual giant in my view. The essays in this book, most of which have been previously published, constitute all that I know about the topics under discussion. "
" This is a collection of Wood's book reviews over the years. "
" A well-chosen collection of Wood's reviews published over the past two decades. Through his choices, Wood summarizes recent historigraphical debates. A great summary for a history Ph.d student preparing for oral exams. "
" Some of the finest historiography out there says my friend at Northshire Books. "
Gordon S. Wood is the Alva O. Way University Professor and professor of history at Brown University. His 1969 book, The Creation of the American Republic 1776–1787, received the Bancroft and John H. Dunning prizes and was nominated for the National Book Award. His 1992 book, The Radicalism of the American Revolution, won the Pulitzer Prize and the Emerson Prize. Wood contributes regularly to the New Republic and the New York Review of Books.
Malcolm Hillgartner is an accomplished actor, writer, and musician. Named an AudioFile Best Voice of 2013 and the recipient of several Earphones Awards, he has narrated over 250 audiobooks.
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