Biographical Perspectives: History Says

Biographies and other historical analysis compiled by scholars after the unfolding of a person's life provide you with an opportunity to step back and study an individual as a whole. The authors of these works are not without their biases. Consider the political times and social mood during which the biographer or historian is writing. Following are several means by which you can locate historical analysis.

Reference Books

Not all reference works are general.  Publishers often compile topic specific resources, inviting leading experts with the field to research and author entries.  Look for resources that offer more detailed analysis than general information, authored by credentialed experts. Below are two great examples from our library collection:

• Famous Trials in History (GVRL) 2011

  From the ancient world to modern times, the courtroom has been a stage for riveting, historic, and sensational drama. Often seen as a microcosm of the concerns of the community at the time, trials offer a fascinating look into how justice has been administered throughout history. This source collects 100 significant legal trials from all time periods and places, ranging from Socrates in classical Greece and Joan of Arc in medieval France to Saddam Hussein in modern Iraq. Each trial entry includes the key issues, history of the case, summary of arguments, the verdict, the significance of the case, and readings for further study.  
• History Behind the Headlines (GVRL) 2000
  Today's newspapers are filled with reports of conflicts between nations. Some conflicts have recently erupted; many have been going on for years. But most of them have deep-rooted, historical causes that are not explained in the media. For important background information on long-term ethnic, religious, political, territorial and economic conflicts between nations today, this 5 volume set offers background, biographies, and more to develop a unique and in-depth analysis, tracing significant international conflicts back to their earliest stages.

Biographical Anthologies

Biographies found in biographical anthologies (920). Because they are often organized by theme or topic, the editor/author generally take a comparative historian's point of view.  Use the library catalog to find topic/theme anthologies, and use the table of content to locate specific chapters or essays on the historical figure.

Historical Analysis

Retrospective historical analysis that deals with subjects related to the subjects life after the passage of time can provide good insight into how historians interpret an individual. For example, the impact of John Dewey on American education would likely be found in a historical overview/analysis of American educational practices). Locate historical analysis using the library catalog. Use the index in the back of the book  (or the search engine in an ebook!) to find specific references to the historical figure you are researching.

Current Historical Criticism

Current historical criticism can be located in textbooks, in reference resources, and online through history databases such as Student Resources-in-Context.