The Historian's Craft
Apologie pour l'histoire ou Métier d'historien
Book • 2023
The Historian's Craft is a meditation on the meaning and value of history, written by Marc Bloch in response to his son's question, 'What is the use of history?
' The book explores the craft of the historian, discussing what constitutes history, how it should be configured and created, and the importance of a multidisciplinary and human-centered approach.
Bloch argues against judgmental history, emphasizing the need for historians to explain and describe rather than evaluate.
He also stresses the value of diverse sources, including non-textual evidence like ruins, inscriptions, and monuments.
The book was written during Bloch's involvement with the French Resistance and was published posthumously in 1949.
' The book explores the craft of the historian, discussing what constitutes history, how it should be configured and created, and the importance of a multidisciplinary and human-centered approach.
Bloch argues against judgmental history, emphasizing the need for historians to explain and describe rather than evaluate.
He also stresses the value of diverse sources, including non-textual evidence like ruins, inscriptions, and monuments.
The book was written during Bloch's involvement with the French Resistance and was published posthumously in 1949.
