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Indlæser... The Great War in History: Debates and Controversies, 1914 to the Present (Studies in the Social and Cultural History of Modern Warfare) (udgave 2005)af Jay Winter (Forfatter)
Work InformationThe Great War in History: Debates and Controversies, 1914 to the Present af Jay Winter
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Since the Armistice, a vast literature has been produced on the First World War and its repercussions. In this 2005 book, two leading historians from the United States and France have produced a fully comparative analysis of the ways in which this history has been written and interpreted. The book identifies three generations of historians, literary scholars, film directors and writers who have commented upon the war. Through a thematic structure, it assesses not only diplomatic and military studies but also the social and cultural interpretations of the Great War as seen primarily through the eyes of French, German and British writers. It provides a fascinating case study of the practice of history in the twentieth century and of the enduring importance of the national lens in shaping historical narrative. This interesting study will prove invaluable reading to scholars and students in history, war studies, European history and international relations. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Indlæser... GenrerMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.3History and Geography Europe Europe World War I 1914-1918LC-klassificeringVurderingGennemsnit:
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The authors, one a Frenchman and one an American, cite the dizzying volume of historical work on the Great War, noting that over 50,000 titles are listed in a French-language historical library (the Economist magazine cites 25,000 books and articles: maybe that's just in English). They review this literature longitudinally (over time), by country, and by topic. The national differences are profound: the consensus of anglophone writers is that the war was a tragedy, but the French view is tends towards a war of national survival. And the differences over time are profound as well. In the 20's and 30's, the focus was on the diplomatic and military aspects of the war, with a big contribution from political leaders and generals, pointing out how right they were. After World War Two, the historian's focus on the Great War shifted to social and economic factors, with a significant Marxist influence. And in the last few decades, the focus has shifted to cultural and individual topics, including the way in which the Great War is remembered. This adds up to a highly illuminating look at how the historical idea of the Great War has evolved -- and will doubtless continue to evolve.
But the importance of this book goes beyond an examination of one conflict, no matter how significant. It is a vivid illustration of the fact that writing history is a process of combining selected pieces of evidence to tell selective stories. Those stories depend on who is writing the history, on where they are writing it, and on when -- and why -- it is written. It is too easy for the reader of history to forget that even the most compelling work is a partial view, and that "what really happened" can never really be determined. That's not to say that everything is relative, but in history, most things are. ( )