That Noble Dream
Book description
The aspiration to relate the past 'as it really happened' has been the central goal of American professional historians since the late nineteenth century. In this remarkable history of the profession, Peter Novick shows how the idea and ideal of objectivity were elaborated, challenged, modified, and defended over the last…
Why read it?
1 author picked That Noble Dream as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
If you like dishy books, you’ll love this inside look at historians as they argue with each other and gossip behind other historians’ backs. While not offered as humor, Novick’s tale pulls back the curtain on academic historians’ ideological and often bitterly personal contests. In this case it’s over the central question of modern historical thought: whether or not history can achieve objectivity. Novick terms their arguments “essentially confused” and much like trying to nail jelly to the wall. Along the way, he reveals the altogether human elements behind all efforts to advance knowledge. The story is particularly relevant for…
From James' list on historians and how they think and write.
Want books like That Noble Dream?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 39 books like That Noble Dream.
Share your top 3 reads of 2024!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,206
readers submitted
so far, will you?
