Between the Covers

What is History? E. H. Carr's Enduring Dialogue


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The article introduces E.H. Carr's seminal work, "What is History?," a collection of his 1961 Oxford lectures that remains highly influential in historical studies. The author emphasizes Carr's perspective that history is an ongoing dialogue between the past and present, shaped by the interplay of historical facts, records, and the historian's interpretation. The text also highlights Carr's multifaceted role as a historian, diplomat, and international relations theorist, arguing that understanding these roles is crucial to grasping his historical philosophy. Furthermore, it explores Carr's reassessment of historical facts—challenging the traditional view that facts are passively discovered and instead asserting the historian's active role in selecting and imbuing them with meaning. Finally, the text touches upon the role of causality and social processes in history, showcasing how Carr's insights continue to provoke thought and discussion within the field.

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Between the CoversBy Erick W