The Gateway to History

In this book, originally published in 1962, one of AmericaΓÇÖs most distinguished historians defines the scope and variety fo his field and out lines his views on historyΓÇÖs objectives both as a science and as an art. The book provides insight into historiansΓÇÖ methods of interpreting and presenting the past from Thucydides to twentieth century scholarship on Europe and America. It sets apart the different approaches to history ΓÇô biographical, cultural, intellectual, geographical and political ΓÇô illuminating the peculiar goals, problems and development of each discipline. It discusses the question of pre-history and its companion science, archaeology and spans the history of the collection and use of records.