The Histories of Raphael Samuel is a biographical study that explores the life and work of British historian Raphael Samuel (1934-1996). Authored by Sophie Scott-Brown, this book examines Samuel’s unique approach to history-making and his contribution to the democratization of historical narratives. It traces his evolution from Cold War communism to the British New Left and analyzes his engagement with radicalism and the history wars of the 1980s. This book argues for Samuel’s significance in understanding the politics of history-making in a post-Marxist world.
Recommended for:
- History enthusiasts interested in the life and work of Raphael Samuel.
- Scholars and students of biography, history, and politics.
- Individuals interested in the democratization of history-making and people’s history.
- Readers seeking insights into the development of British New Left and radicalism in the 1960s.
- Those interested in understanding the history wars of the 1980s and its impact on historical narratives.
You will:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of Raphael Samuel’s life and his role as a people’s historian.
- Explore Samuel’s journey from Cold War communism to the British New Left and his engagement with radical politics.
- Discover how Samuel championed the democratization of history-making through the History Workshop movement.
- Gain insights into Samuel’s eclectic approach to people’s history and its reception among his contemporaries.
- Examine the controversies and critiques surrounding Samuel’s work from various ideological perspectives.
- Understand the significance of Samuel’s contributions to the politics of history-making in a post-Marxist world.
Detailed Overview
The Histories of Raphael Samuel by Sophie Scott-Brown is a comprehensive biographical study that delves into the life and work of Raphael Samuel, a British historian who played a pivotal role in shaping the field of history-making and championing the democratization of historical narratives. This book offers a unique perspective on Samuel’s journey from his early days as a Cold War communist to his involvement in the British New Left and his engagement with radical politics in the 1960s.
One of the central focuses of this book is Samuel’s role as the catalyst behind the History Workshop movement. Samuel advocated for the active participation of everyday people in the creation of history, challenging the traditional notion that history should be solely written by academic scholars. Through the History Workshop movement, Samuel sought to democratize history-making by involving working-class communities and marginalized groups in the process of documenting and interpreting their own histories.
The Histories of Raphael Samuel highlights Samuel’s eclectic approach to people’s history, which drew from various disciplines and perspectives. This approach often sparked passionate responses from individuals across the ideological spectrum, with some of the most sustained critiques coming from Samuel’s left-wing contemporaries. The book explores these controversies and examines the impact of Samuel’s work on the broader field of history-making.
Furthermore, this biographical study contextualizes Samuel’s contributions within the context of the history wars of the 1980s. During this period, different interpretations of historical events and narratives became highly politicized, and Samuel’s ideas and methodologies were subject to intense scrutiny. The book analyzes Samuel’s responses to these challenges and demonstrates how he continued to offer valuable insights into the politics of history-making in a post-Marxist world.
The Histories of Raphael Samuel not only sheds light on Samuel’s life and work but also underscores his significance as a people’s historian. It argues that Samuel has been unjustly neglected in the historical discourse and demonstrates his enduring relevance in understanding the complexities of history-making. By examining Samuel’s journey, this book provides a nuanced understanding of the development of the British New Left, radicalism in the 1960s, and the challenges faced by historians in shaping historical narratives.
Overall, The Histories of Raphael Samuel offers a rich and engaging exploration of the life and work of Raphael Samuel. It appeals to history enthusiasts, scholars, and students interested in biography, history, and politics. Through its detailed analysis and critical examination of Samuel’s contributions, this book provides valuable insights into the democratization of history-making and the evolving nature of historical narratives in a post-Marxist world.
Citation and Licensing
Sophie Scott-Brown. ANU Press. (2017). The Histories of Raphael Samuel: A portrait of a people’s historian. This ebook is published by ANU Press and is publicly available on their website: https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/anu-lives-series-biography/histories-raphael-samuel
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