The expression 'cultural history' is generally used today to signal a particular approach to history, one which could be applied to any object, and is mainly concerned with the sense men and women from the past gave to the world they lived in.

In this introduction to cultural history as a subdiscipline, the reader will find the key steps in the historical development of the field from 1850 to the present. It surveys different ways in which cultural history has been practised, exploring intellectual history, the history of ideas and concepts, of mentalities, of symbols and representations, and of languages and discourses.

Cultural History also maps the territory cultural history most effectively enlightens: gender; the family and sexuality; the body; senses and emotions and images; material culture and consumption; the media and communication. Lastly, it includes an appendix of biographies of a number of influential cultural historians.

This concise and accessible introduction will be an essential volume for any university student studying cultural history.

About the Author

Alessandro Arcangeli is Associate Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Verona, Italy. He has studied the cultural history of Renaissance Europe, with particular focus on dance (Davide o Salome?, 2000), leisure (Recreation in the Renaissance, 2003) and the medical discourse on lifestyle.

Reviews

"Arcangeli has written an up-to-date and lucid introduction to cultural history. The scope of the book, and the variety of approaches and orientations included, is impressive, even more so when taking into account the very concise character of the book. The book is also well translated; in this respect, the editors of Routledge are to be credited... I recommend the book to anyone interested in cultural history, yet especially to teachers of undergraduate courses who would like to acquaint their students with basic though accurate knowledge of cultural history." - Steven Schouten, Cultural History 2.1 (2013): 103-106. Edinburgh University Press

Book Information
ISBN 9780415667760
Author Alessandro Arcangeli
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 270g