Revisiting the topic of our favourite historians has been interesting. I am currently unsure of how to determine a "favourite" historian as I appreciate different historians for different reasons - methodology, content, or even just writing style.
I am still drawn towards Terry Copp for now based on the intimate knowledge I have of his work. I have gathered a lot of understanding of propaganda and collective identity formation through his research and have used it to catapult myself into my MRP and love of history as a whole. The primary focus of his work was on the Canadian context; however, the methodology and historiography has been a fruitful resource and one which I will continue to familiarize myself with as I develop my MRP.
Overall, I am not a fan of choosing a favourite of anything as I tend to value a variety of options for their various strengths and as such I reserve the right to amend this selection as we progress through the year... and beyond.
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A simple yet difficult question. I have dabbled in many genres of history, and my tastes are that of a Renaissance man. Pierre Berton has consistently taken up space on my ever-expanding bookshelf. While some could argue that Berton falls short of the criteria for a historian, I have always found his books well researched and entertaining. Too often I have heard Nipissing students ridicule Canadian history as unimportant or boring. After reading Berton's renditions, it is clear that such labels are unfounded. Our Nation's history is rich in diversity, and has shaped the course of time. For myself, with interests in local affairs, I believe Berton's "The Dionne Years" remains the best work of non-fiction ever written on North Bay history.
ReplyDeleteOops. Sorry Stirling, I carelessly posted my comments into your thread.
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