About Writing Histories: Imagination and Narration

Edited by Ann Curthoys and Ann McGrath

Writing Histories: Imagination and Narration can be purchased as a paperback back, and is also available online for free: please see our pricing, ordering and availability page for more information.

In a new and updated edition, Writing Histories: Imagination and Narration is a book for anyone wanting to write histories that capture the imagination and challenge the intellect. It aims to show that historical narrative and imagination can work together to produce works of history that are a pleasure to read.

Nine historians reflect on their work as writers, exploring some of the most difficult and interesting questions any history-writer faces: how to get started, how to find a 'voice', how to enliven a description or a narration, and how to find a worthwhile structure. Contributors also suggest how historians can convey multiple perspectives, 'show' rather than tell, foreground the research process, find inspiration from music, painting and landscape, and use literary techniques such as metaphor.

The book will be a useful text for teachers and students in history-writing classes and informal groups. There are suggestions for group exercises, and advice on how to conduct writing workshops. Many historians, however, both students and established writers, will continue to write in relative isolation. This book is also intended for them.

This updated edition of Writing Histories has a new introduction written by Ann Curthoys, and an updated bibliography.

ISBN (paperback): 978-0-9804648-2-5
ISBN (online): 978-0-9804648-3-2

Cover image

© Mandy Martin and Tom Griffiths. Detail from Flood Below the Shearing Shed. 16 February. 1999. Oil, ochre, pigment on linen. 90 by 330 centimetres. This painting is from the environmental project ‘Watersheds; the Paroo to the Warrego 1999’. www.mandy-martin.com

Design

Paperback design by AK Design www.akdesign.com.au

Publisher

Monash University ePress

Building 4
Monash University
Wellington Road
Clayton 3800
Victoria
Australia

Copyright

Copyright © 2009
All rights reserved. Apart from any uses permitted by Australia's Copyright Act 1968, no part of this book may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission of the copyright owners. Inquiries should be directed to the publisher, Monash University ePress.

The fact that this book is published online does not mean that any part of it can be reproduced without first obtaining written permission. Copyright laws do still apply.

Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permissions for the images reproduced in this publication. If you are a copyright owner of materials reproduced in this work and have concerns regarding their use please contact Monash University ePress.