Telling History: A Manual for Performers and Presenters of First-Person Narratives (American Association for State and Local History)
Whether you plan to use first-person narratives as a museum docent or are starting your own historical performance business, you will find this how-to book invaluable. Step by step, the author provides information that will lead the novice interpreter to higher levels of competency. Through the use of personal anecdotes, Thierer shares the pitfalls and triumphs of becoming an historical interpreter. Any reader who takes Thierer's advice will be well on his or her way to being not only an historically accurate presenter, but also an entertaining performer. (Marcia Fox, Kansas Historical Society)For almost forty years, costumed interpretation has been a mainstay of museum events and public programming. Now it is time to assess the practice in light of what contemporary audiences need. Resources, time, and short attention spans demand interpreters who are engaging, accurate, colorful, and relevant.Telling Historyis an invaluable guide to the various types of interpretation that use historical performance. The author's years of work in the field bring a real-world, 'from the trenches' perspective, complete with engaging anecdotes. (Jay M. Price, Wichita State University)Telling Historyis an excellent handbook for those interested in pursuing historical performances as a method to introduce state and local history to a new generation of audiences.(Texas Oral History Association)