Product Description

Heritage has burgeoned over the past quarter of a century from a small élite preoccupation into a major popular crusade. Everything from Disneyland to the Holocaust Museum, from the Balkan wars to the Northern Irish troubles, from Elvis memorabilia to the Elgin Marbles bears the marks of the cult of heritage. In this acclaimed book David Lowenthal explains the rise of this new obsession with the past and examines its power for both good and evil.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67303 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 356 pages

Review
‘The invention of heritage is a fascinating story, and Lowenthal tells it with vigour, style and a Balzacian relish for detail … His racy style keeps us constantly on the move.’ Roger Scruton, The Times

‘Timely and provocative … brilliant and stimulating pyrotechnic.’ Roy Strong, The Sunday Times

‘A wealth of stories both true and amusing.’ Grey Gowrie, The Daily Telegraph

‘Perceptive and provocative … explores the many perversities of the heritage cult - and its absolute irresistibility.’ Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman

‘Leads a brilliant dance through this jungle of cultural confusion, from the Holocaust Museum to Elvis Presley’s shrine in Graceland.’ Candida Lycett Green, The Sunday Express

‘Brave, piquant and impressively broad-ranging.’ Linda Colley, The Times Literary Supplement

Customer Reviews

A thoughtful introduction to a controversial topic
I disagree with the previous reviewer, this is far more than a "dictionary cum bibliography". The debate over heritage is hugely controversial - the conclusions of this book, if indeed there can be solid conclusions, reflect this to some extent. I thought that the author managed to convey a more balanced attitude towards the 'heritage industry' than has been the case in the past; how it has been accepted as an important part of modern society.

Just look at some of the books written on the topic in the last 10 or 15 years (e.g. Walsh's "Representation of the past: Museums and heritage in the post-modern world", 1992) that seem almost scared of the impact of heritage. Lowenthal seems to be challenging this view by reminding us of the problems relating to both 'history' and 'heritage'. The are, so he argues, mutually beneficial in the way we conceive of the past. Essentially, neither is 'good' or 'bad'.

However, I would agree with the previous reviewer that this can sometimes be a challenging read (a dictionary at the ready is recommended) although I must have increased my vocabulary a fair bit. However, the clarity of the author's argument thankfully makes this book suitable for browsing. I actually found his wealth of 'examples' interesting and amusing.

Overall, as a budding historian, this book challenged my perceptions of modern heritage as being the bogeyman of historical study. I would especially recommend it to anyone studying heritage or to those sceptics who thought like myself.

A very difficult read
The author approaches this book in such a way as to obscure his very message. It is easy to get the impression this book is not so much of an informative read but as a dictionary cum bibliography. Whilst references are useful to illustrate a point, there are far too many of them, and many of them far too obscure. What it takes an entire chapter to convey could be summed up in a paragraph. Unfortunately this approaches soon taxes the reader's appreciation of the author's very extensive knowledge. If you are searching for clues on the difference between history and heritage then this is your book! Nonetheless, it is a very suject specific read.