1.

Record Nr.

UNISA996248051603316

Autore

Breisach Ernst

Titolo

On the Future of History : The Postmodernist Challenge and Its Aftermath / / Ernst Breisach

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Chicago : , : University of Chicago Press, , [2007]

©2003

ISBN

1-281-12536-9

9786611125363

0-226-07281-9

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (253 p.)

Disciplina

306

Soggetti

Postmodernism - Social aspects

Historiography

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- A Prefatory and Introductory Note -- Part 1. A Preliminary Exploration of the Postmodernist Challenge -- Part 2. Postmodernity as the Triumph of Continuity: Structural Postmodernism -- Part 3. Postmodernity as the Age of Dominant Change: Poststructuralist Postmodernism -- Part 4. Poststructuralist Postmodernism and the Reshaping of Society -- Part 5. Concluding Observations -- Notes -- Select Bibliography -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

What does postmodernism mean for the future of history? Can one still write history in postmodernity? To answer questions such as these, Ernst Breisach provides the first comprehensive overview of postmodernism and its complex relationship to history and historiography. Placing postmodern theories in their intellectual and historical contexts, he shows how they are part of broad developments in Western culture. Breisach sees postmodernism as neither just a fad nor a universal remedy. In clear and concise language, he presents and critically evaluates the major views on history held by influential postmodernists, such as Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, and the new narrativists. Along the way, he introduces to the reader major debates among historians over postmodern theories of evidence, objectivity,



meaning and order, truth, and the usefulness of history. He also discusses new types of history that have emerged as a consequence of postmodernism, including cultural history, microhistory, and new historicism. For anyone concerned with the postmodern challenge to history, both advocates and critics alike, On the Future of History will be a welcome guide.