Description
Book SynopsisContends that biography and historical analysis are inextricably linked, and biographical studies offer a useful tool for analyzing historical questions. This book examines the psychological and personal connections between biographer and subject.
Trade Review"For many scholars, historical biography occupies a kind of no man’s land, between history and literature. This elegant collection, based upon a symposium held in 2000 on ‘biography and historical analysis’ both explains and undermines such a stereotype."—David Watson,
Literature and History"These provocative essays contribute two useful points: biography is essential for historians; and historians must realize that biography and history remain joined at the historiographical hip. This reviewer adds a third point: historians should do more to introduce their students to the art of writing biographies. Such skills will be immensely helpful for preparing dissertations -- and first books -- but also will encourage young writers to include attention-whetting and illustrative pen portraits in their narrative, analytical, or theoretical histories."—Richard W. Etulain,
American Historical Review"John Milton Cooper Jr. emphasizes the importance of experience and advises those who really want to become biographers to ‘skip this chapter and get back to your research and writing.’ To the contrary, I suggest that would-be biographers carefully read the chapter by Cooper and the other five as well. Each contains valuable insight into the biographical approach to history."—Randolph B. Campbell,
Journal of Southern History"There is great diversity in this book. But the authors share concerns for methodological rigor, as well as an imaginative selection and use of sources. Their reflections on the nature and approach of historical biography are interesting, useful and stimulating."—
Auto/Biography
