

Simon Schama on Public History
May 20, 2016
Simon Schama, a prominent historian from Columbia University, delves into the art of public history. He draws fascinating parallels between hip hop and ancient storytelling, arguing that modern narratives like Hamilton breathe new life into history for diverse audiences. Schama examines the shift from oral to written history, highlighting how figures like Churchill and Walter Scott shaped public engagement. He passionately defends the role of entertainment in making history accessible, suggesting that storytelling can ignite civic interest while remaining truthful.
01:31:15
Pair Performance With Archival Teaching
- Use contemporary forms and diverse casting to connect underserved audiences to historical questions.
- Pair performances with primary-source curricula and discussions to deepen learning.
Hamilton Reimagines Public History
- Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton reconnects broad, young audiences with historical narrative through hip-hop and casting choices.
- The musical makes complex civic debates accessible and fuels classroom engagement through curated curricula and cast discussions.
History Began As Performance
- Herodotus wrote to be heard, performing histories to mass audiences in festivals rather than for silent private reading.
- Oral performance shaped historical form and aims long before modern literate scholarship emerged.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
Hamilton and Hip‑Hop as Historical Performance
05:05 • 6min
Herodotus, Oral Performance, and Public Memory
11:01 • 2min
Academic vs Popular Historical Styles
12:56 • 3min
Hamilton's Educational Impact in Schools
15:42 • 7min
Continuities: Griots, Oral Traditions and Modern Rap
23:01 • 4min
Thucydides and the Shift to Written Historical Authority
27:04 • 3min
From Oral to Silent Reading in the Middle Ages
29:54 • 2min
Shakespeare and History Plays Reaching Mass Audiences
32:06 • 6min
Walter Scott and the Fictional Revival of the Past
38:35 • 4min
Carlyle, Michelet and History as Oratory
42:47 • 12min
Professionalization of History and the Quiet Archive
55:08 • 4min
Churchill and the Historian as Performer
59:16 • 2min
Television's Role in Popularizing History
01:01:32 • 3min
Mid‑20th Century Historians: Public Engagement vs. Academic Reserve
01:04:12 • 3min
Historians' Courage in Crisis: Heysenka and Marc Bloch
01:07:02 • 2min
When History Must Speak to the Present
01:08:37 • 54sec
Audience Q&A Begins
01:09:30 • 1min
On Churchill, Arthur Bryant, and Performance
01:10:53 • 3min
Which British Figure Could Become a Musical?
01:13:44 • 3min
Learning from Non‑Western Historical Rhetorics
01:16:34 • 5min
Medieval Preaching, Mystery Plays, and Oral Continuities
01:21:15 • 3min
Is Entertainment the Chief Role of the Historian?
01:24:29 • 3min
Great Historical Lecturers Worth Hearing
01:27:20 • 2min
Television Pioneers and Earlier Public Historians
01:29:40 • 1min
Outro
01:30:54 • 11sec

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Patriots and liberators


Simon Schama
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Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton


Ron Chernow
Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton is a comprehensive and detailed account of the life and times of one of America's founding fathers.
The book delves into Hamilton's humble beginnings as an orphan in the Caribbean, his rise to prominence as a military aide to General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, and his crucial role in shaping the early United States as the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Chernow explores Hamilton's complex personality, his intellectual brilliance, and his relentless drive to create a strong and stable nation.
The biography also examines Hamilton's personal life, including his marriage to Eliza Schuyler and his infamous affair with Maria Reynolds.
Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Chernow paints a vivid portrait of a man whose vision and ambition helped to forge the United States.
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Clarendon

B. H. G. Wormald
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Edward Hall's history

Edward Hall
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Cambridge Modern History

Adolphus William Ward
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Cat Van Trez, 1793

Victor Hugo
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Gibbon

James Cotter Morison
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Herodotus's histories of the wars between the Greeks and the Persians

Herodotus
Herodotus's Histories is a comprehensive account of the Greco-Persian Wars in the 5th century BCE, blending historical events with cultural observations and geographical descriptions.
The work not only chronicles the military conflicts between the Greeks and the Persian Empire but also delves into the customs, traditions, and beliefs of various peoples and lands encountered by Herodotus during his extensive travels.
It provides valuable insights into the political, social, and cultural landscape of the ancient world, offering a rich tapestry of stories and anecdotes.
Herodotus's approach is characterized by his curiosity and willingness to incorporate diverse perspectives, including those of both Greeks and non-Greeks.
Despite occasional inaccuracies and reliance on hearsay, his work remains a foundational text in the study of ancient history and culture.

#4844
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
History of the English-Speaking Peoples


Winston Churchill
This four-volume work, published between 1956 and 1958, traces the historical development of the English-speaking peoples from Roman Britain through the end of the 19th century.
Churchill covers key events and figures, including the rise of Britain as a world power, the colonization of North America, the American Revolution, and the defeat of Napoleon.
The work is a personal view of the processes that have shaped the distinctive position and character of English-speaking peoples around the world.
#56631
Carlisle's French Revolution
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Thomas Carlyle
Thomas Carlyle's "The French Revolution" is a monumental work of historical narrative, offering a dramatic and highly stylistic account of the tumultuous events that reshaped France and Europe.
Carlyle's writing is characterized by its vivid prose, powerful imagery, and insightful character studies.
While not always adhering to strict historical objectivity, the book captures the energy and drama of the revolution with remarkable intensity.
It explores the social, political, and intellectual forces that fueled the revolution, offering a complex and nuanced portrayal of the key players.
Carlyle's work remains a significant contribution to historical literature, offering a powerful and enduring interpretation of a pivotal moment in history.
#29171
The History of Histories

John Burrow

#9683
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Heroes


Stephen Fry

#9937
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Waverley
or, ’Tis Sixty Years Since

Sir Walter Scott
Waverley is a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, published anonymously in 1814.
It tells the story of Edward Waverley, a young English gentleman who becomes embroiled in the Jacobite rising of 1745.
As he travels through Scotland, Waverley must choose between his loyalty to the Crown and his admiration for the Jacobite cause, leading to a complex exploration of political allegiance and personal identity.
The novel is considered one of the first historical novels in the Western tradition.

#368
• Mentioned in 52 episodes
A Tale of Two Cities


Julius Julius Seybt


Francisco Manuel GRANADO CASTRO


Marion Leighton


federico alonso


Aedi Abraham


maxi sanchez


jaime arbe


Fred BARNARD


Laura Santamaria


Juan Ramon Torregrosa


monica alonso

Charles Dickens


Alejo García Moreno


Miguel Muñoz


leonardo pablo federico sanchez alonso


J. J. Bernier


Salustiano Masó Simón


Victor G Ambrus


Jose perez


Hablot K. BROWNE
Published in 1859, 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a historical novel that contrasts the lives in London and Paris during the late 18th century.
The story revolves around characters such as Charles Darnay, Sydney Carton, and Lucie Manette, each dealing with love, sacrifice, and the profound societal changes brought about by the French Revolution.
The novel critiques both the conditions leading up to the Revolution and the Revolution itself, highlighting themes of resurrection, sacrifice, and the potential for positive change.
Dickens's vivid portrayal of the social disparities and political unrest of the era, along with his iconic opening lines, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,' make the novel a compelling exploration of human resilience and societal issues.

#75
• Mentioned in 145 episodes
War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.

#829
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
Histories

Herodotus
The Histories by Herodotus is a foundational work in Western historical literature.
It chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE) and provides a comprehensive background on the rise and organization of the Persian Empire.
The work is divided into nine books, each named after one of the Muses.
Herodotus describes the conflicts between the Greeks and Persians, including key battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale.
He also delves into the cultural, ethnographical, geographical, and historiographical aspects of the civilizations involved, offering a rich tapestry of historical and mythological narratives.
Despite some criticisms for including legendary accounts, much of Herodotus's work has been validated by modern historians and archaeologists.
What does hip hop have in common with Herodotus? In this lecture celebrated historian Simon Schama explores the tradition of public history drawing on Walter Scott, Thomas Carlyle, Winston Churchill and Lin-Manuel Miranda. http://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/humdiv/humanitas/2016-05-01-humdiv-torch-schama-past-publics-2.mp4
http://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/humdiv/humanitas/2016-05-02-humdiv-torch-schama-public-history-2.mp4