Oral history is a powerful historical tool. It allows insights into the lives and attitudes of ordinary and not-so-ordinary people that no amount of dry documentary evidence could give. Through recorded, guided interview it is possible to build a base of primary history invaluable for the proper understanding of social and local history. This is a wide-ranging practical introduction for amateurs and professionals which explains oral history recording and all its uses. It addresses the relevance of oral history for many different groups, from teachers, archive, library and museum workers to town planners, health and social care professionals, park rangers and tour operators. There are practical sessions on planning and conducting interviews, storage, cataloguing and retreival, and the applications of oral history, as well as several case studies.