Marc Bloch
Marc Bloch was a French historian who co-founded the Annales School of historical writing. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of social history and for his book 'Feudal Society.' Bloch's methodology combined geography, history, and sociology, which has had a lasting impact on historical studies. He served in both World War I and World War II, and was executed by the Gestapo in 1944 for his involvement in the French Resistance.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Strange Defeat
"Strange Defeat" is a wartime memoir written by a French historian who served as a soldier during World War II. In the book, the author critically analyzes the reasons behind the swift and shocking fall of France to Germany in 1940. The author attributes the defeat to the outdated strategies and poor leadership of the French military and government, and also highlights the social and political issues that plagued France at the time. The book is not only a personal account but also a profound critique of French society and its institutions.
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2. The Historian’s Craft
The book in question is a seminal work on the methodology of historical research and writing, exploring the nature, purpose, and challenges of history as a discipline. The author, a renowned historian, delves into the critical analysis of historical evidence, the importance of understanding the past in its own context, and the role of the historian in reconstructing history. He emphasizes the need for rigorous critical thinking and the avoidance of presentism, while also discussing the limitations and potential biases that historians must navigate. The work is both a philosophical reflection on the nature of historical knowledge and a practical guide to the craft of researching and writing history.
