Fave Historian

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.

My Favourite Historian

Trying to think of a favourite historian is a daunting task, however after much thinking I would have to say that my favourite is Craig Heron. Heron is a Professor at Yorke University, and he has published many works on "The Working Class", "Masculinity", and "Alcohol". I enjoy his work best because it is readable, and discusses topics that have a sociological relevance to today. Heron is also concerned mainly with Canadian content which I would argue is a fabulous plus -- if we don't write our history then who will?

My Favourite Historian

I would have to say that my favourite historian would have to Edward Said. I looked at his work Orientalism for one of my gender history classes in undergrad and really found his perspective on post-colonialism really interesting and noteworthy. Said's perspective on the prejudicial attitudes that the West has had of the Middle East in the past brings to light the other false assumptions that the West has today of the same region. I am also really fascinated the way that Said amalgamates cultural notions, as well as political and social perspectives in Orientalism. These multifaceted perspectives on one subject area added depth and breadth to his arguments. Said allows his readers to truly look back and re-analyze the consequences and aftermath of Western colonization of not only the Middle East, but of other colonized regions of the world.

Favourite Historian

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.

Favouirte Historian?

When I was asked to name my favourite historian on Tuesday I drew a blank. But upon reflection, I think I'm more inspired by Marc Bloch than any other historian. Admittedly, of his works I'm only familiar with Royal Touch and The Historian's Craft (I have a passing understanding of Feudal Society, but I certainly haven't read it in full). However, there are two significant reasons for my respect and admiration for Bloch.

First, he wrote truly multidisciplinary histories. Bloch incorporated studies of the landscape and folklore into his work. And he did it all with a distinct-- almost poetic (though it's tough to really get a feel for a writer's rhythm through translation)-- narrative voice. As a student of both English and history, whose work will (so far) focus on the role the landscape played in the violent actions of men and women in the 20th century, I cannot help but be inspired by Bloch's work. Other than Cormac McCarthy (the novel Blood Meridian in particular), no writer has had as profound an influence on my historical studies as Marc Bloch.

Second, Bloch not only wrote history; he lived history. A Parisian Jew, Bloch fought in the infantry in the First World War, joined the Resistance in the Second and was ultimately executed by the Gestapo in 1944. He was a man, as such, that changed the world around him not just through his study and writing, but also through his actions.

Thus, though I have read far more about than from him, I can safely say that Marc Bloch's life and work plays an important role in my own historical study and writing.

-Ian

Favourite Author

Sup folks! Hope the weekend is going well.
I will start the favourite author discussion. My favourite historian/philosopher is either Karl Marx or Edward W. Said. I love Marx' argument about how history is derived by class struggle, and although he is technically a philosopher, his ideas have not been lost on history. I discussed that in class this week, so I will tell of my other favourite historian. I really like Edward Said's trilogy of post-colonial works, especially "Orientalism". I think post-colonial literature is important to understanding how colonialism really operated. It wasn't this "white man's burden" set to "civilize and enlighten" the "barbaric, backwards natives", but was a system of domination and exploitation, along Foucoult lines. And I like his literature because he talks about how brutal colonialism truly was between the Orient and the Occident. It was really unknown before his works came out, but he influenced other great post-colonial writers such as Albert Memmi or Franz Fanon.

Jordan

Happy New Year!

This week sees the start of the academic new year - which always seems so much more like the new year than January 1st. Today will be the first class of Methods in Historical Research for the MA in History students. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!