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Reviews
On Doing Local History, second edition
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By Carol Kammen
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AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, Calif., 2003. Notes, index. 192 pages. $70.00 cloth, $24.95 paper.
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Reviewed by Kevin Britz
The High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon
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The documentation of local history has always been a challenge to
those seeking to practice it. Local historians are commonly besieged
with problems related to incomplete records, unorganized and incomplete
data, and a perpetual lack of funding and resources. Where does
one begin to start thinking about practicing local history? Carol
Kammen, a longtime practitioner of the craft of local history and
a professional historian, offers an answer.
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Kammen's new edition of On Doing Local History is a practical guide for anyone contemplating the start of a local history project. It is also a helpful volume for those already working in the field. Kammen begins by providing the general historic context of local history, describing the ways nineteenth-century Americans began chronicling their communities to provide moral lessons, boost business, and document historic significance, working toward a goal of contributing to a greater national story. Unfortunately, the author argues, these local historians often offered narrow, skewed perspectives because of their desire to build community solidarity by presenting stories of economic and social progress. This tendency, she notes, is still apparent. |
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Explaining how local historians can break out of the rut of boosterism and expand their craft forms the main thrust of Kammen's book. The author challenges local historians to adopt Carl Becker's concept of "every man his own historian" and Marc Bloch's belief that we need to understand the present in order to understand the past. Both historians, she points out, were firm believers in the power of local history and its potential to reach and inform everyday citizens by illustrating their role in the greater historic picture. With this in mind, Kammen provides a laundry list of ways that aspiring local historians can expand their practice. Raising questions about sensitive issues, social and class conflict, race and gender relations, and recent events can allow local practitioners a greater field of inquiry and add depth to their works. Kammen also underscores the need for local historians to assume professional responsibilities and assist future researchers by carefully using footnotes. She also believes community chroniclers should consider adopting alternative methods of publication and presentation of their findings — such as newspaper columns, articles, and theatrical presentations — to foster greater accessibility for their efforts. |
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On Doing Local History is an indispensable resource for organizations and individuals dedicated to recording and publishing local stories. By following Kammen's advice, local chroniclers can enhance the credibility of their works and provide resources for future generations of researchers. Readers should note that the book is directed at written records and their use. Perhaps in a future edition, Kammen will tackle the more challenging task of using material culture — such as artifacts, architecture, and photographs — to round out the presentation of community history. |
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