History is not, as many believe, merely a dull and pointless study of names, dates, and events. In fact, it is a very complex endeavor that involves examining the human mind and a lot of hard work. It is an investigation of change over time, and it can be extremely interesting if the right questions are asked.
Most people have a theory about the past that shapes the way they see the world, based on half-remembered high school classes, snippets of pop culture like Saving Private Ryan or Game of Thrones, or other sources they passively encounter. But a few people have a deeper understanding of the past, and they know it through deliberate study and analysis of what happened in the past and why.
Historians attempt to provide complex explanations for change, and the most successful historians try to put their ideas in context to allow others to understand them better. They also recognize that the evidence they use is only part of the story and that some things cannot be proven. They also realize that it is not their job to tell the truth, only to present an accurate account of what actually happened.
One of the most important skills in studying history is learning to read critically. This means determining what the author is trying to do, looking at their biases and preconceived notions, and evaluating the evidence for itself. This is why it is important to have a broad background in history before you attempt to read an historical text.
Another crucial skill in reading and interpreting history is knowing the difference between primary and secondary sources. Generally speaking, primary sources are documents that came into existence during the period under investigation. Secondary sources are documents that were created by historians after the period ended and which draw upon the raw material of primary sources to create an account. These documents are usually called textbooks and may range from highly researched and academically sound works to ones that are purely factual but contain little analysis.
Historians are constantly pulled in different directions. On the one hand they must satisfy society’s desire for a mixture of myth and truth, a historical tale that reinforces group identities or confirms national pride. On the other hand, they must balance this with their own research and writing demands, as well as the scientific objective of creating a true record.
Even the most rigorously trained and unbiased historian will fail to be completely free of biases or preconceived notions. That’s because every writer of any kind has a vantage point and something they are trying to prove-or at least, convince the reader that they have a valid point of view. This applies to history as well, and it is one of the reasons that history can be so difficult to write. Yet, without it, we would be left only with a list of dates and names that has no bearing on the real world.