Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the Philosophically Intersted, 24 Aug 2006
This is a really good introduction to Philosophy for the lay person (like me) : it devotes a chapter (10 or so pages) to some of the most important Philosophical works throughout history : from Plato to Rawls. It's a great book to appreciate the ideas of the great thinkers, such that you can then dive off into the detail of those that interest you.

It is written in plain language, clearly articulated and with a glossary/summary at the end of each chapter. It assumes no prior Philosphical knowledge and is very readable : it took me only 2 days to read it cover to cover. . Great book!

Absolutely excellent!, 15 Dec 2003
Warbuton always writes well, a clear and very readable summary of each Philosopher's work is given in a series of essays.
This is an excellent introduction and useful to students who want a quick overview for essays and exams.
Thoroughly recommended.The addition of the essay on Rawls in the second edition is particularly useful.

Simple but Effective, 11 Mar 2002
This book,in my opinion, simplifies the main issues to be found in the most important Philosophical works of the world. It gives a fools gide to philosophy which does not try to confuse the reader with long words and confusing concepts. It is worth using this book as a reference guide to a particular book that you are reading. In addition, I found the Glossary and Further reading sections at the end of each peice very useful in summing up what each book is about.

The best accompaniment to the greatest philosophical works, 19 Oct 2001
As an undergradute philosophy student I have to confess that this book has been my bible for the last two years. It covers nealy all of the most important philosophical works fom Plato through to Ayer. It gives a detailed breakdown of the text and then gives general objections to the theories made. Whether like me you are studying philsophy, or are just interested in the subject, this is a fantastic explanation of the greatest ideas ever expressed.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the Philosophically Intersted, 24 Aug 2006
This is a really good introduction to Philosophy for the lay person (like me) : it devotes a chapter (10 or so pages) to some of the most important Philosophical works throughout history : from Plato to Rawls. It's a great book to appreciate the ideas of the great thinkers, such that you can then dive off into the detail of those that interest you.

It is written in plain language, clearly articulated and with a glossary/summary at the end of each chapter. It assumes no prior Philosphical knowledge and is very readable : it took me only 2 days to read it cover to cover. . Great book!

Absolutely excellent!, 15 Dec 2003
Warbuton always writes well, a clear and very readable summary of each Philosopher's work is given in a series of essays.
This is an excellent introduction and useful to students who want a quick overview for essays and exams.
Thoroughly recommended.The addition of the essay on Rawls in the second edition is particularly useful.

Simple but Effective, 11 Mar 2002
This book,in my opinion, simplifies the main issues to be found in the most important Philosophical works of the world. It gives a fools gide to philosophy which does not try to confuse the reader with long words and confusing concepts. It is worth using this book as a reference guide to a particular book that you are reading. In addition, I found the Glossary and Further reading sections at the end of each peice very useful in summing up what each book is about.

The best accompaniment to the greatest philosophical works, 19 Oct 2001
As an undergradute philosophy student I have to confess that this book has been my bible for the last two years. It covers nealy all of the most important philosophical works fom Plato through to Ayer. It gives a detailed breakdown of the text and then gives general objections to the theories made. Whether like me you are studying philsophy, or are just interested in the subject, this is a fantastic explanation of the greatest ideas ever expressed.

After Modern Art, 21 Sep 2002
I'm amazed nobody has reviewed this book yet! Among the various studies of post-war art it is by far the best. Driven by the relationship between American and European art it seems to cover all of the main debates and is not afraid to tackle complex theoretical issues in a very readable manner. The book contains lively discussions of all the key names: Warhol, Beuys, Rauschenberg, Bourgeois etc. as well as being excellent on Modernism/Postmodernism. Very impressive all round.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the Philosophically Intersted, 24 Aug 2006
This is a really good introduction to Philosophy for the lay person (like me) : it devotes a chapter (10 or so pages) to some of the most important Philosophical works throughout history : from Plato to Rawls. It's a great book to appreciate the ideas of the great thinkers, such that you can then dive off into the detail of those that interest you.

It is written in plain language, clearly articulated and with a glossary/summary at the end of each chapter. It assumes no prior Philosphical knowledge and is very readable : it took me only 2 days to read it cover to cover. . Great book!

Absolutely excellent!, 15 Dec 2003
Warbuton always writes well, a clear and very readable summary of each Philosopher's work is given in a series of essays.
This is an excellent introduction and useful to students who want a quick overview for essays and exams.
Thoroughly recommended.The addition of the essay on Rawls in the second edition is particularly useful.

Simple but Effective, 11 Mar 2002
This book,in my opinion, simplifies the main issues to be found in the most important Philosophical works of the world. It gives a fools gide to philosophy which does not try to confuse the reader with long words and confusing concepts. It is worth using this book as a reference guide to a particular book that you are reading. In addition, I found the Glossary and Further reading sections at the end of each peice very useful in summing up what each book is about.

The best accompaniment to the greatest philosophical works, 19 Oct 2001
As an undergradute philosophy student I have to confess that this book has been my bible for the last two years. It covers nealy all of the most important philosophical works fom Plato through to Ayer. It gives a detailed breakdown of the text and then gives general objections to the theories made. Whether like me you are studying philsophy, or are just interested in the subject, this is a fantastic explanation of the greatest ideas ever expressed.

After Modern Art, 21 Sep 2002
I'm amazed nobody has reviewed this book yet! Among the various studies of post-war art it is by far the best. Driven by the relationship between American and European art it seems to cover all of the main debates and is not afraid to tackle complex theoretical issues in a very readable manner. The book contains lively discussions of all the key names: Warhol, Beuys, Rauschenberg, Bourgeois etc. as well as being excellent on Modernism/Postmodernism. Very impressive all round.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




Readable very detailed history, lacking religious insight, 03 Jun 2001
This book gives a detailed look at the history of ancient Egypt, from earliest times to the end of the pharaohs. Well illustrated with drawings & photographs, supporting the text.

Based entirely on the physical evidence from archealogy this history gives the political, but not the religous detail, that aids understanding of the two kingdoms.

The lack of religous reference, vital to a knowledge of the ancient Egyptians and their view of life, is a serious omission. Previous possession of this knowledge, would help the reader to understand the motivation and driving force of the kingdoms.

It is well written, although as different experts cover differing time periods, readability does vary from chapter to chapter. However this is not a major issue.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the Philosophically Intersted, 24 Aug 2006
This is a really good introduction to Philosophy for the lay person (like me) : it devotes a chapter (10 or so pages) to some of the most important Philosophical works throughout history : from Plato to Rawls. It's a great book to appreciate the ideas of the great thinkers, such that you can then dive off into the detail of those that interest you.

It is written in plain language, clearly articulated and with a glossary/summary at the end of each chapter. It assumes no prior Philosphical knowledge and is very readable : it took me only 2 days to read it cover to cover. . Great book!

Absolutely excellent!, 15 Dec 2003
Warbuton always writes well, a clear and very readable summary of each Philosopher's work is given in a series of essays.
This is an excellent introduction and useful to students who want a quick overview for essays and exams.
Thoroughly recommended.The addition of the essay on Rawls in the second edition is particularly useful.

Simple but Effective, 11 Mar 2002
This book,in my opinion, simplifies the main issues to be found in the most important Philosophical works of the world. It gives a fools gide to philosophy which does not try to confuse the reader with long words and confusing concepts. It is worth using this book as a reference guide to a particular book that you are reading. In addition, I found the Glossary and Further reading sections at the end of each peice very useful in summing up what each book is about.

The best accompaniment to the greatest philosophical works, 19 Oct 2001
As an undergradute philosophy student I have to confess that this book has been my bible for the last two years. It covers nealy all of the most important philosophical works fom Plato through to Ayer. It gives a detailed breakdown of the text and then gives general objections to the theories made. Whether like me you are studying philsophy, or are just interested in the subject, this is a fantastic explanation of the greatest ideas ever expressed.

After Modern Art, 21 Sep 2002
I'm amazed nobody has reviewed this book yet! Among the various studies of post-war art it is by far the best. Driven by the relationship between American and European art it seems to cover all of the main debates and is not afraid to tackle complex theoretical issues in a very readable manner. The book contains lively discussions of all the key names: Warhol, Beuys, Rauschenberg, Bourgeois etc. as well as being excellent on Modernism/Postmodernism. Very impressive all round.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




Readable very detailed history, lacking religious insight, 03 Jun 2001
This book gives a detailed look at the history of ancient Egypt, from earliest times to the end of the pharaohs. Well illustrated with drawings & photographs, supporting the text.

Based entirely on the physical evidence from archealogy this history gives the political, but not the religous detail, that aids understanding of the two kingdoms.

The lack of religous reference, vital to a knowledge of the ancient Egyptians and their view of life, is a serious omission. Previous possession of this knowledge, would help the reader to understand the motivation and driving force of the kingdoms.

It is well written, although as different experts cover differing time periods, readability does vary from chapter to chapter. However this is not a major issue.

In depth and multi-dimensional, 25 Apr 2007
Fortier somehow masters an introduction to many theoretical perspectives and their relation to theatre in a relatively small volume. The book focuses on theatre as performed rather than as writen.

After consideration of the various ways in which theatre and theory can interact, Fortier dedicates nine chapters to nine theoretical perpectives. Each chapter outlines the major approaches and writings in the field and inter-relates them to oneanother before giving a few examples of how the theory can be applied to certain appropiately selected performances.

The first 3 chapters (Semiotics, Phenomenology, Post-strucuralism) are geared towards the relationship to text.
The second 3 chapters (Psychoanalytic, Feminist, Reception) is conscious of subjectivity as motivation of practitioners.
The third 3 chapters (Materialist, Post-modernism, Post-colonial) is geared towards theatre's relationship to 'the outside world'.

The writing style is very open and avoids any dogmatic statements; which can be annoying if you are trying to find quick answers or a definition of a theory, but is an overall strength as it provokes a deeper understanding.

This is the only book I know of which relates more than one theory specifically to theatre. It is also rare to find works that inter-relate more than two theories. It is supprising "Theory/Theatre" is so easy to follow.

It breifly covers a magnitude of practitioners and theorists, then closes with a comprehensive list of further works for each area. It includes a glossary and bibliography.

an essential read, 26 Jul 2005
To anyone studying or interested in modern theatre movements and literary critism this book surely is a must. Fortier's language is concise and defined and allows for confortable reading. For anybody studying theatre, especially before you get into an exam this book is essential and key to hightened understanding.
truly recommended

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the Philosophically Intersted, 24 Aug 2006
This is a really good introduction to Philosophy for the lay person (like me) : it devotes a chapter (10 or so pages) to some of the most important Philosophical works throughout history : from Plato to Rawls. It's a great book to appreciate the ideas of the great thinkers, such that you can then dive off into the detail of those that interest you.

It is written in plain language, clearly articulated and with a glossary/summary at the end of each chapter. It assumes no prior Philosphical knowledge and is very readable : it took me only 2 days to read it cover to cover. . Great book!

Absolutely excellent!, 15 Dec 2003
Warbuton always writes well, a clear and very readable summary of each Philosopher's work is given in a series of essays.
This is an excellent introduction and useful to students who want a quick overview for essays and exams.
Thoroughly recommended.The addition of the essay on Rawls in the second edition is particularly useful.

Simple but Effective, 11 Mar 2002
This book,in my opinion, simplifies the main issues to be found in the most important Philosophical works of the world. It gives a fools gide to philosophy which does not try to confuse the reader with long words and confusing concepts. It is worth using this book as a reference guide to a particular book that you are reading. In addition, I found the Glossary and Further reading sections at the end of each peice very useful in summing up what each book is about.

The best accompaniment to the greatest philosophical works, 19 Oct 2001
As an undergradute philosophy student I have to confess that this book has been my bible for the last two years. It covers nealy all of the most important philosophical works fom Plato through to Ayer. It gives a detailed breakdown of the text and then gives general objections to the theories made. Whether like me you are studying philsophy, or are just interested in the subject, this is a fantastic explanation of the greatest ideas ever expressed.

After Modern Art, 21 Sep 2002
I'm amazed nobody has reviewed this book yet! Among the various studies of post-war art it is by far the best. Driven by the relationship between American and European art it seems to cover all of the main debates and is not afraid to tackle complex theoretical issues in a very readable manner. The book contains lively discussions of all the key names: Warhol, Beuys, Rauschenberg, Bourgeois etc. as well as being excellent on Modernism/Postmodernism. Very impressive all round.

If you only have one book on Egyptology ..., 01 May 2008
If you can only have one book on Egyptology then this is the one. Ian Shaw has gathered together experts to present a generally accepted history of this fascinating period of history. As a student of Egyptology I a significant collection of works; but this is the one that I keep returning to. I've been using it for many years and can vouch for its broad coverage of a complex (and evolving) topic; the depth squeezed into a readable book is surprising.



Standard issue for the student of Egypt, 17 Jul 2007
This was the second book on Egyptian history I brought as an adult. As an academic resource it is probably the definitive introduction to that subject. It runs chronologically from Predynastic up to the end of the Roman Period, offering a brief but accurate and meaningful glance into the reigns of all the Pharaohs and assorted foreign rulers who shaped Egyptian history.

The academic effort that went into this work must have been immense, and it is rightly one of the most important standard texts for all students, or indeed for those who aspire to become one. Indeed this volume now sits, rather well thumbed as a standard reference on my desk.

At first glance the small typeface and crammed approach makes this a slightly daunting work, but it's division into quite separate works on the major periods of Egyptian history (predynastic,old, FIP, middle, SIP, new, TIP, late, Ptolemaic, roman) means you can easily approach this book "a kingdom at a time", a much better way of tackling it, and also make it an excellent book for soaking up intellectually dead time such as commuting, work etc, which is how I approached it.

Whilst this work lacks some of the readability of Tydesley or Gahlin, it is a veritable gold mine of solidly researched history and for anyone interested in serious/mainstream Egyptian history, there really is no better place to start. It also contains a very useful bibliography for digging further into the nitty gritty of particular areas which fascinate you.

You really do need this book...

Excellent, 28 Feb 2007
I have been to Egypt, the first time was in 1993, and I made my mind up that I'd like to study Egyptology.

Although in my second year of studying Egyptology, during my first year this was one of my study books I was required to read.

This provides you with a lot of information on different periods of the Ancient Egyptian History, in all it covers 700,000 years.

I found this book informative, interesting and enjoyable to read. Sometimes I had to read a chapter twice for all the information to sink in.

Whether you are studying Egyptology or just want a little more knowledge this is an excellent book.

It makes an excellent edition to my little Egyptian library, which now stands at nearly 1000 books on this subject. :-)


One of the best "short" histories of Egypt, 26 Jan 2007
Well, for one i'd like to stress how well I think the various authors have squeezed an amazing amount of information on all aspects of Egyptian history, culture and religion into comparatively few pages. This book provides an excellent base from which a reader can go about gathering more information. No one book will be sufficient to provide a reader with a thoroughly detailed account of Egyptian history without running into many many volumes. What the authors here do is condense the information into a size that is manageable without being "basic".

As a student of Egyptology under Ian Shaw I have found this book invaluable and have used it as a standard reference work in most essays and also as a background work in revision and its' list of resources at the back is extremely good at pointing me in the direction of other, more thorough works.

All in all I thoroughly recommend it to the student as well as someone with any interest in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.




Readable very detailed history, lacking religious insight, 03 Jun 2001
This book gives a detailed look at the history of ancient Egypt, from earliest times to the end of the pharaohs. Well illustrated with drawings & photographs, supporting the text.

Based entirely on the physical evidence from archealogy this history gives the political, but not the religous detail, that aids understanding of the two kingdoms.

The lack of religous reference, vital to a knowledge of the ancient Egyptians and their view of life, is a serious omission. Previous possession of this knowledge, would help the reader to understand the motivation and driving force of the kingdoms.

It is well written, although as different experts cover differing time periods, readability does vary from chapter to chapter. However this is not a major issue.

In depth and multi-dimensional, 25 Apr 2007
Fortier somehow masters an introduction to many theoretical perspectives and their relation to theatre in a relatively small volume. The book focuses on theatre as performed rather than as writen.

After consideration of the various ways in which theatre and theory can interact, Fortier dedicates nine chapters to nine theoretical perpectives. Each chapter outlines the major approaches and writings in the field and inter-relates them to oneanother before giving a few examples of how the theory can be applied to certain appropiately selected performances.

The first 3 chapters (Semiotics, Phenomenology, Post-strucuralism) are geared towards the relationship to text.
The second 3 chapters (Psychoanalytic, Feminist, Reception) is conscious of subjectivity as motivation of practitioners.
The third 3 chapters (Materialist, Post-modernism, Post-colonial) is geared towards theatre's relationship to 'the outside world'.

The writing style is very open and avoids any dogmatic statements; which can be annoying if you are trying to find quick answers or a definition of a theory, but is an overall strength as it provokes a deeper understanding.

This is the only book I know of which relates more than one theory specifically to theatre. It is also rare to find works that inter-relate more than two theories. It is supprising "Theory/Theatre" is so easy to follow.

It breifly covers a magnitude of practitioners and theorists, then closes with a comprehensive list of further works for each area. It includes a glossary and bibliography.

an essential read, 26 Jul 2005
To anyone studying or interested in modern theatre movements and literary critism this book surely is a must. Fortier's language is concise and defined and allows for confortable reading. For anybody studying theatre, especially before you get into an exam this book is essential and key to hightened understanding.
truly recommended

one of the best introductions to visual culture, 24 Feb 2004
This book is a splendid introduction to theories about visual culture. It opens up the sociological / psychodynamic / anthropological theories that exist about the visual media to laymen. Another good thing is that they do not focus on high culture visual media, but also on film, television, advertising, etc. This is what makes the book valuable to people who are specialized in neighbouring fields and who wish to know more about visual media (for instance, marketeers, perception psychologists, therapists, people studying politics, etc.). On every topic the background literature is made accessible by good references and a short introduction to these references. This is really helpful! For instance, i always wanted to know more about Barthes theorizing about myths, and how that applies to advertising, with this book i have a good introduction, but also a good guide that tells me how to find the relevant and more up to date literature on this topic.

the lighter fun book on the subject, 20 Nov 2003
This book is easy going introductory reading for undergraduate courses on the subject. It's relatively short, has lots of pictures and photos and is mostly about advertising, tv, and popular culture. It makes a nice change from weighty pompous academic essays and it's engaging and intelligent.

Valuable addition to any photography students bookshelf, 24 Apr 2005
I purchased this book as I am hoping to start a degree in photography in September 2005 and wanted to start "reading around" my subject. Although I haven't read this entire book, it is all ready proving its worth as the chapters' reference many other critical and theoretical works on photography that I have now started reading to widen my knowledge. It seems then that this book is ideal for dipping in and out of every now and then in order to push intriguing minds into other areas of the subject of photography. Therefore I'm sure it will prove a valuable addition to my bookshelf for my remaining years as a photography student.

The best historiography textbook, 08 Nov 2007
John Tosh is in my view an excellent writer. This book enables even dimwits like me to understand the basics of historiography - the methods of history. This edition has really helpful notes in the margins explaining more complicated terms in a very simple way - spelling out anachronistic for example. Where I disagree with him slightly is in his emphasis on oral history being a technique rather than a 'genre'. OK he dedicates a fair bit of space to his book to discussing oral history but is not as positive about its contribution as Gwyn Prins - whose argument is better backed up by sources.

Good read but hard-going in parts, 03 Oct 2007
This is a good introduction to the ongoing debates surrounding history. I brought it when I was studying the nature and purpose of history at uni and it did help me. Tosh covers many topics, including the use of history, sources and oral history, themes and many others in an objective way, using a lot of sources. His only problem is his work is not all that easy to read, and I often found myself having to read some pages several times over for the message to sink in.

Excellent, 04 Nov 2001
Having studied a BA Honours degree in American and European History I was still very surprised at how rarely a worthwhile book on my subject, one that unpacked the subject itself, inspired enthusiasm and a genuine sense of excitement. Most 'This is History' books are pretty awful affairs.We get the standard explanation of 'Primary' and 'Secondary sources'. The 'Who', 'What' 'When' and 'Why' analysis of documentary evidence and if we stay awake long enough to reach chapter 3 become acquainted with the minefield of verbose and complex 'Marx-speak'. Usually by this time I've joined a Geography or Tai Chi class at night school but John Tosh has written a little triumph here. Pithy, smooth prose which glides through the subject making it extremely interesting.He handles historicism and theory with great skill and I was left being genuinely inspired by this book,which surely in these days when History is increasingly removed from the curriculem, is a major achievement in itself; Well done John!

An Excellent book for amateur historians and students!, 07 Jan 2001
This book is great as it looks at how to go about researching local history looking at issues such as oral, visual and written history. As it says in the title the author looks at "aims, methods and new directions in the study of modern history". Its a very good book for those just starting to look at researching history.Tosh deals with the problems that surround the uses of primary and secondary sources.

E.H Carr, a great thinker, 07 Aug 2008
EH Carr was a great thinker, and in this series of lectures published in What Is History he tackles deep philosophical questions with a wit and intelligent investigation that is difficult to dislike. A bit wordy in places, and a bit mind boggling in others, What Is History is still thought provoking and interesting, just as it should be.

A classic of Historiography, 13 Aug 2007
I have always been interested in the theoretical side of history and this remains one of the best books to start with. It has been a few years since I was at University, but this used to be a set text for first year undergraduates, in order to give them some understanding of the 'history of history'. Carr's text is highly readable and his analogies very useful - ie. thinking of historians as merely individuals in a very long, winding procession of people through a mountainous valley - looking back at events going on further back in the queue, their views differing according to whereabouts in the procession he or she was at the time. Still a great starting point for an often complex subject.

What is History? Good question, 22 Oct 2003
There are many definitions of what History is, and what it means for different sections of society at different times. E.H. Carr's primary argument is that the interpretation of history from certain historians is dependent upon their position in society, and indeed are formulated by society's view of the period. One historian writing in the 1950's may have a totally different interpretation of events that, say, a present day historical writer.

This book is a fascinating account of historical arguments through time, and is really useful if, like me, you are studying for a History degree at University!!!

Compulsive reading but (unnecessarily?) complex in places, 20 Mar 2002
This collection of essays by the late E. H. Carr is particularly interesting to any student of historiography, or indeed the general reader. It clearly outlines his thoughts on the subject of the theory and philosophy of history, and he illustrates his ideas well, bedding down abstract concepts with concrete examples. The only criticism, aside from objections to his theories, is that Carr occasionally leaves the more earth-bound reader behind. So gymnastic is his intellectual ability that he makes leaps from abstract trapeze to abstract trapeze, leaving the reader lost and blank, forcing them to read and re-read. Aside from that this is an excellent collection, complemented well by the discussion about Carr's notes towards a second edition. Should be read in conjunction with I. Berlin's essays on history (to be found in The Proper Study of Mankind), which Carr attacks throughout.

Thought-provoking, 30 Jan 2001
Very intuitive and inspiring. Carr manages to raise questions of many a historian, and concludes by providing his own 'philosophical' slant on the answers. Worth reading if one wishes to broaden their understanding.

A lucid introduction to the classics of western philosophy., 26 Oct 2006
This is one of the most accessible introductions to western philosophy that I've come across. There are lucid accounts of 27 classic works of philosophy from Plato's Republic to John Rawl's A Theory of Justice. This 3rd edition(2006) includes three new chapters on Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy and Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism. At the end of each short chapter there's a glossary and suggestions for further reading.
Any newcomer to philosophy could do no better than get hold of a copy of this marvellous and beautifully written book.

Great Starting Point for the