Revision and revisionism are generally seen as standard parts of historical practice, yet they are underexplored within the growing literature on historiography. In this accessibly written volume, Marnie Hughes-Warrington discusses this paucity of work on revision in history theory and raises ethical questions about linear models and spatial metaphors that have been used to explain it.

Revisionist Histories emphasises the role of the authors and audiences of histories alike as the writers and rewriters of history. Through study of digital environments, graphic novels and reader annotated texts, this book shows that the 'sides' of history cannot be disentangled from one another, and that they are subject to flux and even destruction over time.

Incorporating diverse and controversial case studies, including the French Revolution, Holocaust Denial and European settlers' contact with Native Americans and Indigenous Australians, Revisionist Histories offers both a detailed account of the development of revisionism and a new, more spatial vision of historiography. An essential text for students of historiography.

About the Author
Marnie Hughes-Warrington is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the Australian National University. She is the author of five books, including History Goes to the Movies (2007), The History on Film Reader (2008) and Fifty Key Thinkers on History.

Reviews

'In Revisionist Histories, Marnie Hughes-Warrington once again challenges conventional and hierarchical ways of conceptualizing historical practices.

This book asks thought provoking questions about what is seen to count as legitimate history, what is seen to constitute a legitimate act of historical revisionism, and the ways in which audiences make their own meanings from their encounters with historically focused works.

As this book shows, histories do not simply provide alternative interpretations of the past. They also manoeuvre for position within textual and spatial territories, in ways that have ethical as well as historiographical implications.

This is an important book for anyone who wishes to think about historical practices and revisionism anew.'

Mark Donnelly, St. Mary's University College, UK

Recommended by Choice (March 2014)

Book Information
ISBN 9780415560795
Author Marnie Hughes-Warrington
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 256g