In this episode of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 08, Episode 01, we dive into Chapter 1 of Andrew J. Williams, Amelia Hadfield, and J. Simon Rofe's essential textbook, International History and International Relations. This chapter tackles the often-perceived ahistorical nature of International Relations (IR), arguing for the crucial value of historical context in comprehending global dynamics. We explore the fundamental contrasts and comparisons between the methodologies of historical inquiry and political science. While historians often focus on unique, particular events and employ inductive, ideographic methods emphasizing difference, context, and process, IR scholars typically seek generalizations and patterned behavior through deductive, nomothetic approaches. Despite these differences, we discover how both disciplines are united in their quest for causes and their reliance on objective evidence. The episode also navigates the evolution of historical scholarship relevant to international affairs, examining distinct schools such as diplomatic history, international history, global/world history, and transnational history, highlighting how these diverse historical lenses can profoundly enrich our comprehension of international relations.