Product Description

A polemical introduction to history by one of the most controversial practitioners working today A critically-acclaimed guide by one of Britain's most compelling and controversial historians. John Vincent has often been accused of political incorrectness, but never in his writing of history, where his work has been rightly praised for its 'verve, excitement, wit and original thought'. In this sometimes contentious study, Professor Vincent goes to the very heart of the complex issues raised by the subject. An Intelligent Person's Guide to History provides a comprehensive examination of the philosophy and evolution of history. It explores the nature of historical evidence, meaning and imagination, together with morality, causality, bias and hindsight. This is a controversial work, packed with ideas. Penetrating, incisive and provocative, it will prove both a vital text for the scholar and a stimulating guide for the general reader. This revised paperback edition includes an account by the author of the critical reception that greeted the book's original publication, and the controversy that it generated.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1019845 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

About the Author
John Vincent has been Professor of History at the University of Bristol since 1970. Among his many influential publications are The Foundation of the Liberal Party (1966), Gladstone and Ireland (1979) and a masterly short biography of Disraeli (1990). He is also widely known as a journalist and controversialist.

Customer Reviews

'Packed with wild assertions'
... would be a better description. Apparently at the beginning of the last century (presumably the 19th as this was published in 1995) 'civilised men, in free elections, voted overwhelmingly to become slaves'. Amazing! Even more amazingly we are not told when or where this was - never mind exactly how 'free' the elections were. Oh, and Catholics [...] have a 'ghetto mentality'. They just do. No need for justification of the statement. Two stars because it's quite a good read and laugh. Rather like Vincent's favourite tabloid, 'The Sun', in fact.