Public History

Book excerpt: The 2nd edition of Public History: A Practical Guide provides a fresh examination of history as practiced in its various worldly guises and contexts. It analyses the many skills that historians require in the practice of public history and looks at how a range of actors, including museums, archives, government agencies, community history societies and the media/digital media, make history accessible to a wider audience in a variety of ways. Faye Sayer's exciting new edition includes: * Brand new chapters on 'Restoration and Preservation' and history and the working world * Substantial additions covering the growing fields of digital history and history in politics * More images, figures and international case studies from the US, Australia, the UK, Europe and Asia * 'Personal Reflection' sections from a range of industry experts from around the world * Historiographical updates and significant revisions throughout the text * Expanded online 'Public History Toolkit' resource, with a range of new features Public History: A Practical Guide delivers a comprehensive outline of this increasingly prevalent area of the discipline, offering a distinctly global approach that is both accessible and engaging in equal measure. Finally, it explores future methodological possibilities and can be used as a reference point for professional development planning in the sectors discussed. This is the essential overview for any student wanting to know what history means beyond the classroom.