The Sources We Use By Rab Summary

Who is the Historian?, a book written by Dr. Nigel A. Raab on how historians go about “doing history” is separated in the many aspects that make up the art of history. In Chapter two titled “The Sources We Use”, Dr. Raab goes into detail on what types of sources are used in historical research, and why they are used. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the historiography of when and how types of formats were discovered and utilized in the Context of applying it to historical research. Whatever sources historians need to be objective and search any bias that my lie within it.

The pursuit of new historical evidence has drove historians look at a multitude of new and creative sources instead of sticking to the two traditional sources of non-fiction

This is as a result of having such a large collection of historical data to interpret that it would take many lifetimes to read everything on a larger topic. Thankfully archivist organize the vast information in two common systems: Chronologically and theme. Achieve documents come in all sizes, formality and formats such as telegrams, personal letters, diaries and imperial letterhead. Thankfully because of technology the degree of quality has improve significantly.

With the shift of attitude in the format of sources fictional novels have become more accepted as a primary historical document/source. Dr. Raab argues that fictional novels give insight to what is accepted socially though values and habits. Furthermore, novels demonstrate what level the government of the day and region is controlling censorship to its citizens. While some novels may take abstract thought to get the historic context, they may point historians in the direction of further

Visual sources come in many forms. The most common visual sources are motion action and photos. Motion action visual sources come in many formats and historical significance. Some narrative films purpose is to have historical implication, while others are used to offer prospective on the social norms during the time of creation. Furthermore, developing techniques of film give historians insight of the time. Television a modern visual format has been adopted in such a high time allocation that its impact is an important part of American history. The reason visual sources are import is because average citizens decide positions on large issues such as elections and disenfranchised populations rights using visual sources such as photos, film and TV. Consequently, in the decades to come, Visual sources will dominate the gathering of historical artifacts.

While film is a newer visual format to capture history, photos have been around longer. Photos are very interesting as a source because when photography technology improved, a wider range of events and places were documented with photos. Photos usefulness and complexity can make the format seem realistic and objective. Moreover, with the billions of photos that are taken, historians will have great wealth of available knowledge. Photos were not very common in many history disciplines other then art, when photos were used, it was included