LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Bibliographer

This week ye Bibliographer begins compiling our research reading lists.


The first one is for the summer reading in the histories of Baltimore, Norfolk and Charleston up to the commencement of the Civil War. If anyone has suggestions they are welcome. For instance Madison Smartt Bell has written Charm City: A Walk through Baltimore (nonfiction) Crown, 2007. This goes on the list, of course, but as it deals with so much post the Civil War, it can't be as useful as more specificlly historic works will be.

The second list is of primary document depositories, archives and special collections in the region that contain various aspects of the research, such as insurance, licenses, fees and taxes, i.e., the business of the trade.

This is merely to start.  It is going to be a long journey, which includes boots on ground, which we're looking forward to muchly.
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1 comment:

K. said...

This will be an important book. Good luck.

May 25, 2010 at 12:48 PM

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