How to Write History that People Want to Read

ANN CURTHOYS Professor of History at the University of Sydney, Australia. In addition to writing about historical theory and method, she has written about many facets of Australian history, especially the relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Her previous books include Freedom Ride: A Freedomrider Remembers (2002) and (with Mary Spongberg and Barbara Caine), A Companion to Women's Historical Writing (Palgrave, 2005).ANN MCGRATH Professor of History at the Australian National University, Australia. She has written numerous books and articles, including 'Born in the Cattle': Aborigines in Cattle Country (1987) and with Pat Grimshaw, Marilyn Lake and Marian Quartly, co-authored Creating a Nation (1994). McGrath has won various prizes for writing and has worked as a historian on public enquiries and commissions, has made television documentaries, curated museum exhibitions and developed pod-streaming history projects.

'A really excellent book. It is written in a bright, informal style with some hard-and-fast rules balanced with advice, warning and very positive encouragement.' Alan Atkinson, author of The Europeans in Australia 'This witty little volume reveals the tricks and tips of the profession and recounts endearing anecdotes about the authors' own experiences as historians. A delightful read, this is also a seriously good advice manual. Refreshing, sensitive, thorough, here are two wise women who practise what they preach.' Philippa Levine, author of The British Empire: Sunrise to Sunset 'Historians of all kinds, whether scholars, students or commercial authors, all share a wish to maximise their publics: this lively and practical primer will tell them how. Lucid, unpretentious and punchy, it is crammed with sage advice, shrewd criticism and dozens of samples of compelling history writing.' Iain McCalman, author of Darwin's Armada

• Acknowledgments Introduction: Navigating History in the 21st century Which History to Tell? Who is your History for? Crying in the Archives History in 3D: Visual, Oral and Material Sources How to Avoid Writer's Block Once upon a Time: Beginnings and Endings Narrative, Plot, Action! Styling Pasts for Presents Character and Emotion Footnote Fetishism: Quotes and Notes Tough Love: Editing and Revising Epilogue: The After Party Marketing, Celebrating and Reviews Notes Index