Reflections On History and Historians
“In his fascinating, thoughtful, and deeply disturbing book, Mr. Hamerow, a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin, examines the historian’s social origins, his training, his rate of production, his self-esteem, his values, his satisfaction with his profession, the way he gets promoted, raises grants and regards his duties. . . . Mr. Hamerow paints a picture of academics so addicted to the professional rat race that they have long forgotten the true purpose of a university—teaching at the frontiers of knowledge.”—New York Times Book Review“Publishers—even respectable university presses—are by nature inclined to make extravagant claims for their works. But in this case the jacket copy which declares thatReflections on History and Historiansshould be ‘required reading for all graduate students in history’ is entirely reasonable. What is more, unlike most mandatory assignments, it would probably be enjoyed.”—Reviews in American History“His is a thought-provoking and poignant book, written in a reflective and even elegiac vein. It will send shudders—but some laughter too—through the most hardened veteran, inured to periodic bouts of collegial soul-searching.”—TheAmerican Historical Review