Writing Conceptual Histories - (Writing History) (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Writing Conceptual Histories introduces conceptual history as a research perspective and as a lens through which we can study the past and present. This book provides students and researchers with an overview of, and easy access to, central concepts of conceptual history and its practical applications.

With an introduction that relates conceptual history to historical semantics, rhetoric, intellectual history and discourse analysis, a glossary explaining central analytical concepts, and inspiring case studies of various types of conceptual history, the volume serves readers interested in the theory of conceptual history and those seeking concrete methods for analysis.

Writing Conceptual Histories adopts an innovative case study approach showcasing novel histories of democracy, ideologies, science and technology studies, human rights, compassion, sexual identity, climate change and crisis. The case studies concretely present different ways of writing conceptual history, guiding readers on how to write conceptual history and encouraging them to experiment with a variety of methods.

The volume boasts a variety of pedagogical features, including:
- A glossary of key terms and concepts
- A unique case study approach to theory and method
- Recommended readings at the end of each chapter

Review Quotes

"This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in conceptual history. It provides clear, practical guidance on how to write conceptual history, filling a gap that has been missing in the field until now." --Jouni-Matti Kuukkanen, Professor of Philosophy, University of Oulu, Finland

"This volume offers a lucid exposition of what makes Conceptual History different from rival approaches to ideas together with eight case-studies in which the authors reflect on their methods as they employ them. It should be essential reading for intellectual historians." --Peter Burke, Emmanuel College Cambridge, UK

"The editors have assembled a wide-ranging collection of essays that perambulate the boundaries shared by conceptual history with other approaches to intellectual history, including Cambridge School contextualism and newer approaches such as the histories of emotions and of knowledge. The authors explore both the promise and pitfalls of digitalization and AI, while drawing attention to the genealogy of highly topical terms such as "climate crisis". Anyone interested in the history of ideas will want to read this book." --Daniel Woolf, Professor, Queen's University, USA

"This brilliantly conceived analysis of the various approaches to conceptual history is by far the best introduction to that expanding field of knowledge. Through invaluable theoretical overviews and illuminating case studies, the contributors lucidly and engagingly provide insights into the always contested temporal and spatial nature of social and political language." --Michael Freeden, Professor of Politics, University of Oxford, UK

About the Author

Pasi Ihalainen is Academy of Finland Professor of Comparative European History at University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

Jani Marjanen is University Lecturer in Political History at University of Helsinki, Finland.