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Historian: An Autobiography and Reconsiderations in Southern African History

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By Leonard Thompson

Yale University Press, 2019

Historian: An Autobiography (Reconsiderations in Southern African History)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2940 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	444 pages

: 9780300242631

Historian: An Autobiography And Reconsiderations In Southern African History Historian: An Autobiography (Reconsiderations In Southern African History)

Leonard Thompson's Historian: An Autobiography and Reconsiderations in Southern African History is a fascinating and deeply personal account of one of the most important historians of Southern Africa. Thompson was born in South Africa in 1928, and his life has been intimately intertwined with the history of the region. He has witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of apartheid, and he has played a major role in shaping the way that we understand the history of Southern Africa.

Thompson's autobiography is divided into two parts. The first part is a traditional autobiography, in which he recounts his life story from his childhood in South Africa to his retirement from Yale University in 2003. The second part of the book is a series of essays in which Thompson reflects on his own work and on the historiography of Southern Africa.

The autobiography is a compelling read. Thompson is a gifted storyteller, and he brings to life the people and events that have shaped his life. He writes with candor and humor about his childhood in South Africa, his experiences as a student and teacher, and his involvement in the anti-apartheid movement. He also provides a fascinating account of his work as a historian, and he offers insights into the challenges and rewards of writing history.

The essays in the second part of the book are equally精彩. Thompson reflects on the historiography of Southern Africa, and he offers a critical assessment of the work of other historians. He also discusses the importance of oral history, and he argues that historians must pay more attention to the voices of ordinary people.

Historian: An Autobiography and Reconsiderations in Southern African History is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Southern Africa. It is a deeply personal and insightful account of one of the most important historians of the region.

Rethinking Southern African History

In the second part of his book, Thompson turns his attention to the historiography of Southern Africa. He argues that the traditional histories of the region have been too focused on the experiences of white settlers and that they have neglected the voices of ordinary Africans. Thompson calls for a new kind of history that is more inclusive and that gives greater weight to the experiences of the majority of the population.

Thompson's critique of traditional historiography is based on his own experiences as a historian. He has spent much of his career working with oral histories, and he has come to believe that the voices of ordinary people can provide valuable insights into the past. He argues that historians must pay more attention to the everyday lives of Africans and that they must try to understand the world from their perspective.

Thompson's call for a new kind of history is a timely one. The traditional histories of Southern Africa have been heavily influenced by the experiences of white settlers, and they have often neglected the voices of ordinary Africans. This has led to a distorted understanding of the region's past. Thompson's work is an important step towards correcting this imbalance.

Historian: An Autobiography and Reconsiderations in Southern African History is a valuable contribution to the historiography of Southern Africa. It is a deeply personal and insightful account of one of the most important historians of the region. Thompson's work is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Southern Africa.

Historian: An Autobiography (Reconsiderations in Southern African History)

4 out of 5