How to Do Local History Research Write Publish A Guide for Historians and Clients
May 27, 2009 by Joint Venture Marketing
How to Do Local History Research Write Publish A Guide for Historians and Clients
Thinking of writing a history? Or commissioning one? Local historians, church and institutional historians, genealogists, thesis-writers, and the people who commission them will welcome “How To Do Local History”. It is a brief and lively introduction to historical research, writing and publishing by a leading historian. This book explains how to use books and archives, and is full of practical tips on ‘reading’ the landscape, on oral history and on using illustrations effectively. The last chapter takes historians and their clients through the intricacies of internet and conventional publishing, using case studies of real books to explain terminology, scheduling, design, costing and selling. Although written for a New Zealand audience, readers in other countries will also find it useful.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Packed cover-to-cover with practical tips, tricks, and techniques
Written by Gavin McLean (senior historian at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs, How To Do Local History is a step-by-step guide for would-be local history writers. From how to handle “difficult” or touchy issues in local history, to formulating the right questions to ask while doing research, to investigating both online and offline historical resources, and considerations to keep in mind when publishing – whether just publishing on a website or printing up a book – How To Do Local History is a seminal primer ideal for genealogists, church and institutional historians, thesis writers, and the people who commission them. “Develop an economical writing style in which you 1) tell the main story and ignore most of the historical sidetracks; and 2) cut the waffle. Compression requires self-discipline and hard work, but the results are worth it. Use your computer’s word-counting tool… Rewriting is the key to successful writing. And the key to rewriting is reduction.” Though written especially with a New Zealand audience in mind, How To Do Local History is packed cover-to-cover with practical tips, tricks, and techniques sure to prove useful regardless of the reader’s background.
