How to Study History

Many of the research methods that Cantor and Schneider discuss here have become outdated. Yet, their advice on writing and thinking about history remains highly applicable to contemporary students studying to become historians.

This book should be required reading for every first year college student because it teaches you HOW to read and study history... literally. It serves as a step-by-step instruction manual that makes the clear point that reading historical non-fiction is NOT the same as reading any other genre, and should not be read, studied, or remembered in the same way. In fact, the book is so practically useful that the best descriptions of it are to be found in the chapter and section titles in its table of contents: "Why Study History?", "How to Use Primary Sources", "How to Read Secondary Sources", "How to Use a Textbook and Take Lecure Notes", "Planning an Undergraduate History Program", "Shaping an Historical Essay", "Book Reviews", "How to Use the Library"... You get the point. If you have read Michael Stanford's "A Companion to the Study of History" then consider this book as its perfect compliment. Where Stanford's book mentally equips you to approach the study of history, this book physically prepares you for historical work. I wish I had discovered this book before my third year as a history major. If I could make some critical comments about this book, which are usually more helpful than unadulterated praise, then I would. After discovering many of the techniques Cantor discusses on my own through trial and error, I can recommend this book with 100% confidence. If you must take college history courses - let alone major in history - purchase this book.