I Wish I'd Been There: Twenty Historians Revisit Key Moments in History by Byron Hollinshead and Theodore K Rabb (editors)
| I Wish I'd Been There: Twenty Historians Revisit Key Moments in History by Byron Hollinshead and Theodore K Rabb (editors) | |
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| Category: History | |
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Reviewer: Sharon Hall
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| Summary: This collection of essays is based on the question, “What is the moment in history that you would like to have witnessed and why?”. From this perspective, twenty historians look at key moments in history, from 323 BC to 1945. These fascinating accounts whet the reader’s appetite to learn more. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 456 | Date: March 2008 |
| Publisher: Macmillan | |
| ISBN: 0230528015 | |
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This collection of historic essays from twenty historians, including Tom Holland, John Julius Norwich and John Keegan, is based on the question, What is the moment in history that you would like to have witnessed and why?.
Generally, historians implicitly inhabit moments in time, but this exercise requires them to do so explicitly. In taking the stance of a witness to these events, often in circumstances where vital information is missing or ambiguous, these historians attempt to look afresh at often vital moments of world history.
For most of us, much of this history has been previously condensed into school-based dry, factual accounts which have now been reduced to vague recollection and the odd date. My own historical interests are firmly rooted in social and industrial history, and I have to admit that I am shamefully ignorant of most of the topics in this collection, which range from 323 BC to 1945. I was concerned I would not have enough background to fully understand this diverse range of topics, but the writing of all the pieces includes information to set the scene. However, it is sometimes difficult to balance this. With the first essay on Alexander the Great, for example, I felt a little overwhelmed by the wealth of background material, but as the author got into role of witness, I enjoyed it more: I want to walk the steaming midsummer streets of Babylon.
Tom Holland's essay on Hannibal is fluidly written, with the background more woven into the fabric of the story. The conjuring up of landscape, people, the staggering effort involved in crossing the Alps and the significance of the deed make for an excellent read. I also enjoyed Katherine Fischer Drew on the background and key events leading up to the signing of Magna Carta, although this was less of a "witness" piece. More successful from this point of view was Geoffrey Parker on the Spanish Armada. His imaginative piece is partly in the form of an imaginary dialogue in a council of war on the flagship of the Armada, using the language of letters and other associated documents. Katherine Duncan-Jones on the Globe Theatre in 1601 talks of London, Elizabeth's court, and of a performance of Shakespeare’s Richard II timed just before the Earl of Essex's attempted coup. The Battle of the Nile' is written from the perspective of a local fisherman, rather than a more conventional account of the 1798 conflict between Napoleon and Nelson. One of my favourites is an account of Picasso in Paris, backstage at the Ballets Russes in May 1917. As co-creator of the ballet Parade, this was Picasso's stage debut. Jean Cocteau wrote the story, and Erik Satie the music for this avant-garde piece which was poorly received by audience and most critics alike. This poor reception is portrayed in the light of French military defeats, an advancing German army and the Russian Revolution.
To any reader, some topics will appeal more than others, but this is a fascinating collection of essays which will whet the appetite to learn more. Suggestions for further reading are appended to each chapter. This would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in history.
If you enjoyed this book then you might also like Edward VI: The Lost King of England by Chris Skidmore.
I Wish I'd Been There: Twenty Historians Revisit Key Moments in History by Byron Hollinshead and Theodore K Rabb (editors) is in the Top Ten Books For Slightly Geeky People.
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