On the Teaching and Writing of History: The Art and Architecture of Charles A. Platt

Historian Bernard Bailyn answers a series of questions about the field of history as well as what the title states, ON THE TEACHING AND WRITING OF HISTORY. He comments dwell on all gamuts from historiography to the teaching of the subject at the college and high school level, and he provides no nonsense and succinct responses. After reading the book, one can see that Bailyn has had many experiences during his years within the profession, which makes the book interesting. Three points stood out in his conversations. First, Bailyn comments on on one of the basic premises to understanding history. In terms of approaching the subject with an understanding, Bailyn states as well as many historians, that in order to understand a particular period or event in history, one must look within the context of its own time without the present in mind. And furthermore, history is distant or a different world (51). For those who have already studied history, this is the standard approach when first attempting to read a document, such as a journal or letter that may have been written hundreds of years ago; one must look through their eyes and experience. Second, his approach to teaching the subject at different levels from a teacher-student perspective, be it undergraduate or graduate, makes a difference in order to effectively teach the course. And third, Bailyn's perspective on implementing all histories within the historical narrative that may not have been studied or included before; this is a hopeful thought that the study of the past is a never ending task. Overall, the book provides an insightful view to studying, teaching, and writing about history from an eminent historian. In addition, ON THE TEACHING AND WRITING OF HISTORY may be a good book to refer to or a reminder of what the subject of history is all about.

Just what this country needs to learn - how to approach history without manipulative distortions.

Bernard Bailyn, brilliant historian, answers a series of questions at Dartmouth College while in residence there on the subject of writing and teaching history. To the average reader, this guide will be not be hard to read, but probably not very necessary unless there is an intent to teach undergraduate or graduate students in a small class setting or if research is in process to complete a larger work on history. The book contains practical knowledge for all history teachers and offers some very general assumtions that must be kept in mind whether teaching or reporting on history. Well written and constructed, but intended for the serious historian.

Someone had the inspired idea of having one of the greatest living historians take part in an interview on his craft and profession. The result, ably edited and presented by Edward Connery Latham, is one of the wisest and most accessible books ever written about writing history. Bailyn's work spans the range of historical scholarship, and he is perhaps the most influential historian of the second half of the twentieth century; the list of his graduate students that appeared in the 1991 collection of essays published in his honor is in turn an honor role of the nation's most creative, able, and productive historians.I would recommend this book enthusiastically to anyone who is considering entering the historical profession or anyone who simply wants to understand what it is that historians do. The questions, by Professors Jere R. Danielle and Charles T. Wood of Dartmouth, are incisive and provocative, and Bailyn's answers are uniformly enlightening and engaging. Everyone having a role in the creation of this wonderful book is to be congratulated.-- Richard B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School