In terms of the debate about books versus journals, I think that like most divides both have their pros and cons inherent in the very nature in which they present their materials. While I generally try to use an equal balance of both in terms of my own research and work, I find that do to certain limitations in terms of availability or technical malfunction in the case of journals, I am often left to work with whatever is more readily available and relevant. I do not think that either is superior of the other and both serve the historian well in the quest for knowledge, references etc. Moreover I think that both serve essentially the same purpose in conveying ideas, arguments etc and are therefore invaluable to the study of history.
That being said, I have worked with a number of both and generally prefer the old fashioned method of analysing books in the tradition of historians of the past. While books may seem more impractical as well as generally longer and perhaps less concise, the idea of examining a computer screen all day somewhat bothers me. As well, the length of the book oftentimes leads to greater historiographies as well as more ideas presented in one medium. Therefore the focus is much larger, much more multi-dimensional and usually involves the use of more sources. Pragmatically as well, books are easier on the eyes after a long day of reading..
However as mentioned journal articles have their merits as well. While not as big as books, they tend to offer a more concise argument and are much more focused which leaves for less sifting through a book to find one particular idea. As well journals usually provide a detailed glimpse of the historical concepts in which they are writing in that they highlight the debate and framework of their analyses at the beginning or introduction of their works. Articles are however problematic in that tracking down an article that explicitly deals with an area of interest is difficult because of their narrow focus. Moreover availability is oftentimes an issue, relative to the school’s access to the article.
Overall both have many merits as well as a few follies, but it cannot be forgotten that without them, historians would essentially be starting from scratch—although some would argue this is a good thing!

Books, Articles and Historical Research

To an unqualified observer, the differences between books and articles may appear to be non-existent, aside from the obvious differences of length. To a historian however, the differences between books and articles is substantial. While neither books nor articles can claim to be superior in value, both books and articles have valuable characteristics that depending on the situation or type of information required will cause the historian to turn to either a book or article. Books and articles are have their own purpose and value in the discipline of history.
Both types of literature adhere to the same scholarly principles of language, structure and a clear purpose. Books are the result of lengthy study, often years of dedication and investigation on the part of a historian. The wealth of information exhibited presented in book form is the result of careful methodological considerations to the authors broader argument and deep contemplation of the sources, their significance, meaning and how they fit into existing or non-existing historiographies. Books cover a wide range of issues and debates within their pages used to validate an authors general argument. While books provide a great deal of information on a general perspective, often large portions of the literature is irrelevant to a student or researching historian. However, information presented in books is valuable to student historians and practicing historians because it illustrates the interconnectedness of certain issues or debates within a specific subject. Books take advantage of both primary and secondary materials. The use of secondary materials is often extensive in books demonstrating the cumulative nature of historical knowledge and the historical disciplines ability verify, revise or contradict the works of other historians.
Articles, while sharing many of the characteristics with books, have subtle but important differences. Articles typically provide clear and concise details on a specific aspect of an issue or debate. Articles can either argue a very specific aspect of an issue or debate or can provide new questions or methodologies that have not been explored on a subject. Articles are useful when attempting to gain a general sense of the issues and debates that exist on a given topic, or a specific aspect of a general topic. Articles are beneficial in preliminary research as they introduce the student historian or professional historian to the complex issues and debates surrounding a specific topic. In certain cases, articles are mediums that act as an expose for primary source materials that have not been available for study in the past. Articles of this nature often do not attempt to formulate an argument or come to conclusions on the significance or meaning of the sources but rather introduce them to fellow historians in the subject area and how and why it may be necessary to re-visit past studies in light of the new information available.

Books vs Journals

When it comes to using books within my historical reasearch, it is difficult to find the exact book I am looking for. Books tend to be broadly focussed and can hold a variety of information. This can be both extremely useful, but also problematic. Of course books can offer that exact piece of information or argument one may be looking for. However, they are a much larger source that invovles sifting through the "useless" information for something valuable. Books are a good source of information to start a study from. By reading a book you may find something that sparks your interest in which you would like to pursue. This is where journals come into play.

Journals have aided me quite frequently throughout my study. Journals are much more narrowly focussed on specific topics. You can take your topic of interest discovered in a book and attempt to track down more focussed concerns about that topic in journals. If you can find a journal that is related to your topic of interest, the entire piece of writing becomes a valuable source that does not need sifting. However, journals too can be tricky to track down. With the vast amount of online sources and journals available today, it can sometimes be difficult to locate exactly what you are looking for. Furthermore, if you do not have access to online journals through such academic or public facilities like our library, it can become quite expensive.

Overall, books and journals are extremely helpful sources to use. Although different in their own way, they can provide the reader with tremendous amounts of information and knowledge.

BOOKS AND ARTICLES

The amount of information today's student of history has access to is unprecedented. The establishment of online journals and the continued development of e-books encourage the spread of free, valuable, and reputable information. Access to online resources, although not replacing print material, has become an integral part of conducting research. Despite how a resource is accessed, it must still be assessed for it value. In general, journal article and books offer differ things to the historian. Journal articles are examinations of specific topics and questions. This give the reader a great deal of insight into a particular issue. Journal articles are also valuable tools for addressing trends in historiography. Journals represent the most recent research relevant to when it was published. They are also allows opportunity for scholars to express new ideas and receive advice and criticism upon them. On the other hand, books are the product of large scopes of study. In general they give broader overviews than journal articles. Often, books will develop out of several journal articles a scholar has produced. Both resources are useful in establishing both broad and specific foundations up which further research can laid.

Books and Journal Articles in Historical Writing

The process of conducting research has been greatly facilitated for history students of the twenty-first century. The computer has created a world in which students may have access to online journal articles as well as to online books. Each of these sources provides different degrees of knowledge on any given topic. However, it is important that the use of a computer and online resources do not replace the valuable information that can be found at the back of the library on those old and forgotten stacks. Equally important when conducting research is an understanding of a resource and the information one can gather by means of a closer reading.

The use of a book or online book provides the reader with a more general perspective. Most books contain a lot of detail that may not be particular to the research being conducted. However, the wealth of information is useful when attempting to understand a broader concept. A book is also useful when looking at the way in which your topic may relate to other subject areas. For example, the topic of interest could be women in the workforce. One may find a book that deals with women in the twentieth century. Although it does not deal specifically with women in the workforce, the book may provide useful insight to women during this time period. Books can also be useful to a student who is looking for a topic in which to conduct further research. History textbooks provide a general overview of any given topic and can be a great place for one to begin research. Reading through a textbook can bring a better understanding of a larger topic while at the same time fostering an interest in something much more manageable.

On the contrary, an online journal has the ability to provide concise information to a reader. Journals provide a great deal of knowledge in the academic world. There are journals designated to every discipline and sub-discipline of academia. Therefore, a student may wish to examine certain aspects of their topic through the use of an online or hard copy journal. Since journals are written in far less words than a book, research can be facilitated when particular information replaces the more general overview of a given topic. Using the above mentioned example of women in the workforce, the use of a journal can greatly advance one’s knowledge on this topic. A journal database would have the capability to pull up other articles written about the same subject area. In this manner, a student could learn more about a given topic while expanding upon their own argument by supporting or arguing against the work that has come before their own. Journal articles are also useful when attempting to understand a topic quickly. The ability to search for information within seconds allows a student to learn efficiently about more than one topic at any given time.

Books and journal articles are both extremely useful when it comes to research. Each resource has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is important that both resources are used when researching a given topic in order to gain a better understanding. While books provide a more general and inclusive interpretation of a topic, journal articles have the ability to be more concise and effective in communicating their point of view. The history student that takes advantage of both source materials will have the greatest degree of success in their studies!

Books and Articles

Books and articles are unique and valuable in their own way to the historian. One should not be prized over the other as they both a central to the historian’s craft and the discipline as a whole. As a historian-in-training I have come to appreciate what each source has to offer and how to obtain the most from each.

Books are a result of lengthy studies conducted over years of research. Therefore, by their very nature they offer a deep argument on a topic that has been carefully constructed and presented in the book. With fewer restraints on length books can offer the historian far more detail than articles. Having said that, this freedom of books can be both beneficial and disadvantageous to the historian. Books can provide historians with excellent detail that enriches their understanding of a topic but at the same time can overwhelm the historian with a over abundance of detail that as result drowns the book’s main argument.

Articles on other hand, are typically restricted in length and therefore are valuable for their brevity. Articles generally are based off of a historians greater work or research interest and as a result provide their reader’s with a condense, well-informed argument on a topic. However, this too can be overwhelming as explanations may be cut short due to length restrictions and so the reader may not be as informed on a topic. Nonetheless, articles are an excellent starting point for historians because they ascertain the historian’s main argument and decide if they wish to examine the argument on a larger scale in which case they can look to the historians other works.

As a historian-in-training I start my research with journal articles so that I can get a sense of the arguments that exist on a topic and who the main historians of the field are. From the articles and their bibliographies I pursue other journal articles and books that appeal to my interest and research. I never value one form of monograph over another but reap the benefits each has to offer in my personal research.

Some news about Kindle in Canada

Here's why we can;t get Kindle in Canada:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/why-you-cant-get-the-kindle-in-canada/article1316081/

Books, Articles, and the Historian

When thinking about the uses of books and articles, the similarities between them often overshadow their differences in terms of how they are used in research. The more important similarities and differences emerge after putting aside the obvious differences of length, accessibility through electronic databases or compilations, and the fact that often the article would have been written - and it can sometimes show in the writting - under tight time restraints. Structually, often, books and articles have many of the same characteristics; introduction, historiography, statement of principle argument(s), body, and conclusion. The length of the articles, however, makes them an ideal starting point for any research.

Scholarly reviews help determine the value of books, or lack thereof, by critically evaluating the principle arguments and the evidence presented. Introductions in books also, often evaluate other scholarly works, but with less intensity. Pertinent information about the author of a book may also be included in a review if this information could potentially affect the level of objectivity.

It is important to note that the authors of articles (and reviews) usually have books published on the same subject. In the case of dissertations, the author may have expanded their idead into the form of a published book. A good example would be Dr. Morrell's 1991 dissertation "Britain Confronts the Stalin Revolution" which he would later restructure and publish as a book by the same name in 1995.

Books are not written with the constraints of time and length associated with articles and reviews. While containing all of the structural elements of the article, the book evidences far more research on wider subject matters. Simplified, the book contains greater knowlege, while an article contains more in depth analysis of specific issues often contained within the books.

What is gained by books and articles are critical evaluations of other publications - more so with articles - and by extension a long list of sources to add to the research "to do" list. This is acconplished either by taking key authors out of the historiography sections, or from the footnotes and the bibliographies.