Telling History - (American Association for State and Local History) by Joyce M Thierer (Paperback)

About the Book

Dramatic impersonations accompanied by informed discussions are becoming increasingly popular methods of educating visitors to museums and historical sites. This is the first book to provide step-by-step instructions for how to conceive, plan, publicize, present, and pay for s...

Book Synopsis

Dramatic impersonations accompanied by informed discussions are becoming increasingly popular methods of educating visitors to museums and historical sites. This is the first book to provide step-by-step instructions for how to conceive, plan, publicize, present, and pay for such historical presentations.

Review Quotes

For almost forty years, costumed interpretation has been a mainstay of museum events and public programming. Now it is time to assess the practice in light of what contemporary audiences need. Resources, time, and short attention spans demand interpreters who are engaging, accurate, colorful, and relevant. Telling History is an invaluable guide to the various types of interpretation that use historical performance. The author's years of work in the field bring a real-world, 'from the trenches' perspective, complete with engaging anecdotes.

Telling History is an excellent handbook for those interested in pursuing historical performances as a method to introduce state and local history to a new generation of audiences.

Whether you plan to use first-person narratives as a museum docent or are starting your own historical performance business, you will find this how-to book invaluable. Step by step, the author provides information that will lead the novice interpreter to higher levels of competency. Through the use of personal anecdotes, Thierer shares the pitfalls and triumphs of becoming an historical interpreter. Any reader who takes Thierer's advice will be well on his or her way to being not only an historically accurate presenter, but also an entertaining performer.

About the Author

Joyce M. Thierer is a founding partner of Ride into History, a historical performance touring troupe, and professor of history at Emporia State University.