Just what is it that we want from the past? History offers us true stories about the past; heritage sells or provides us with the past we appear to desire. The dividing line between history and heritage is, however, far from clear. This collection of papers addresses the division between history and heritage by looking at the ways in which we make use of the past, the way we consume our yesterdays. Looking at a wide variety of fields, including architectural history, museums, films, novels and politics, the authors examine the ways in which the past is invoked in contemporary culture, and question the politics of drawing upon 'history' in present-day practices. In topics ranging from Braveheart to Princess Diana, the Piltdown Man to the National History Curriculum, war memorials to stately homes, "History and Heritage" explores the presence of the past in our lives, and asks, how, and to what end, are we using the idea of the past. Who is consuming the past and why?

About the Author
John Arnold has studied and taught at the Centre for Medieval Studies, and the Department of History at the University of York. He now lectures in the School of History at the University of East Anglia. His future projects include publication on medieval and contemporary topics, and the philosophy of history. Kate Davies has taught at the University of Sheffield and at York since 1999. She specialises in American and British women's writing, and the literature of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Atlantic. Simon Ditchfield is a Reader in the History Department at the University of York. His research interests all relate to perceptions and uses of the past in previous societies

Reviews
...can be recommended as an ideal introduction for Building conservation practitioners to the broader issues and philosophies generated by the heritage at large. RICS Conservation Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9781873394281
Author Simon Ditchfield
Format Hardback
Page Count 264
Imprint Donhead Publishing
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 521g