The Historian's Craft

In this classic work, distinguished French economic historian, Marc Bloch, discusses the techniques of historical observation, analysis, and criticism, and the reestablishment of historical causation in assessing events. What is the value of history? What is the use of history? How do scholars attempt to unpack it and make connections in a responsible manner?
 
While the topics of historiography and historical methodology have become increasingly popular, Bloch remains an authority. He argues that history is a whole; no period and no topic can be understood except in relation to other periods and topics. And what is unique about Bloch is that he puts his theories into practice; for example, calling upon both his experience serving in WWI as well as his many years spent in peaceful study and reflection. He also argues that written records are not enough; a historian must draw upon maps, place-names, ancient tools, aerial surveys, folklore, and everything that is available.
 
This is a work that argues constantly for a wider, more human history. For a history that describes how and why people live and work together. There is a living, breathing connection between the past and the present and it is the historian’s responsibility to do it justice.Introduction

Chapter I:  History, Men and Time
    1.  The Choice of the Historian
    2.  History and Men
    3.  Historical Time
    4.  The Idol of Origins
    5.  The Boundaries between Past and Present
    6.  Understanding the Present by the Past
    7.  Understanding the Past by the Present

Chapter II:  Historical Observation
    1.  General Characteristics of Historical Oberservation
    2.  Evidence
    3.  The Transmission of Evidence

Chapter III:  Historical Criticism
    1.  An Outline of the History of the Critical Method
    2.  In Pursuit of Fraud and Error
    3.  Toward a Logic of Critical Method

Chapter IV:  Historical Analysis
    1.  Judging or Understanding?
    2.  From the Diversity of Human Functions to the Unity of Consciences
    3.  Nomenclature

Chapter V:  Historical CausationMarc Bloch was a French historian who cofounded the Annales School of French social history. He was captured and shot by the Gestapo in 1944 for his work with the French Resistance.