Refiguring History

Keith Jenkins is Professor of Historical Theory at University College, Chichester. He is the author of Rethinking History (1991), On 'What is History?' (1995), The Postmodern History Reader (1997), and Why History? (1999).

'Refiguring History does just that with recent debates over the nature and aims of historical knowledge. In the process, he not only clarifies the differences between modernist and postmodernist conceptions of "the past," he also assesses their relative value for life. This is a small masterpiece which moves the debate over "learning from history" to a new and more fascinating level of engagement.' - Hayden White, Stanford University'Jenkins is himself responsible to no small degree for placing radical reflection about the nature of academic history on the agenda. This at times outrageously provocative book, full of colour and vigour, will stimulate a keen appetite for historical theory and philosophy among students, and cannot fail to liven up seminar discussion. It therefore fully lives up to the expectations the author has come to generate.' - Rethinking History Journal'The general thrust of his argument and the thinkers invoked - Derrida, White, Ankersmit - may be broadly familiar, but there are many corruscating formulations and innovative twists and an engaging verve to the prose'. - Journal of Contemporary History, Vol. 40, No. 1

• Introduction 1 Opening time(s) 2 Last order(s) 3 Beginning again: on disobedient dispositions