Historics

From an author at the forefront of research in this area comes this provocative and seminal work that presents a unique and fresh new look at history and theory. Taking a broadly European view, the book draws on works of French and German philosophy, some of which are unknown to the English-speaking world, and Martin L. Davies spells out what it is like to live in a historicized world, where any event is presented as historical as, or even before, it happens. Challenging basic assumptions made by historians, Davies focuses on historical ideas and thought about the past instead of examining history as a discipline. The value of history in and for contemporary culture is explained not only in terms of cultural and institutional practices but in forms of writing and representation of historical issues too. Historics stimulates thinking about the behaviours and practice that constitute history, and introduces complex ideas in a clear and approachable style. This important text is recommended not only for a wide student audience, but for the more discerning general reader as well.

Martin L. Davies

Introduction: Getting at What is Behind History: The concept of historics Part 1: A Sense of History: Variations on a theme from Nietzsche 1. Theme: A sixth sense - a sense for history 2. Var. 1 History and the senses 3. Var. 2 History as Apprehension 4. Var. 3 History as Prosthesis 5. Var. 5 Making Sense of History Part 2. The work of History: Living in a historicized world 6. The Faith of Fallen Jews: Trauma, remembrance and reptition-compulsion 7. Homo Studiosus: Homo oeconomicus: History as a vocation 8. History as Product and Representation: The past as a commodity 9. History as Symbolic Form