In a provocative analysis of European and American historical thinking and practice since the early 18th century, A History of History confronts several basic assumptions about the nature of history. Among these are the concept of historical realism,

Alun Munslow is the founding and UK editor of Rethinking History: The Journal of Theory and Practice. His recent publications include Narrative and History (2007) and The Future of History (2010).

Introduction. Part 1. 1 The Emergence of Modern Historical Thinking. 2 History as Science. 3 Forms of History Today. Part 2. 4 History of a Particular Kind and the Rise of the Multi-Sceptic Historian. 5 Refiguring the Past. 6 An Improper Contempt for Proper History. Part 3. 7 The Presence of the Past. 8 The End of (a) Historical Consciousness (of a Particular Kind). Conclusion.