The New History in an Old Museum
Summary
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The New History in an Old Museum by Richard Handler
An exploration of 'historical truth' as presented at Colonial Williamsburg. This book examines the packaging of American history, and consumerism and the manufacturing of cultural beliefs. Containing anecdotes, ethnography, and layers of cultural meaning, it is for anyone interested in how the story of American history is told.
“A study quite unlike anything I’ve ever seen: in its depth of research, breadth of conception, theoretical sophistication, and incisiveness of judgment, it seems to me unmatched”—Peter Novick, University of Chicago
“In this impressive ethnography of Williamsburg, Handler and Gable take us behind the scenes and show us the roles of professional historians, front-line interpreters, corporate officials, and service workers in shaping the portrait of eighteenth-century Virginia that is presented. I know of no other book that presents such a complete and complex portrait of the museum as a social, economic, and cultural institution.”—Roy Rosenzweig, George Mason University
“This manuscript is a deep and original work of cultural critique. It will go a long way in improving the image of cultural studies scholarship among historians, anthropologists, and others, who hold it in suspicion. I am sure this study will be much cited as such an exemplar in several fields.”—George E. Marcus, Rice University
“In this impressive ethnography of Williamsburg, Handler and Gable take us behind the scenes and show us the roles of professional historians, front-line interpreters, corporate officials, and service workers in shaping the portrait of eighteenth-century Virginia that is presented. I know of no other book that presents such a complete and complex portrait of the museum as a social, economic, and cultural institution.”—Roy Rosenzweig, George Mason University
“This manuscript is a deep and original work of cultural critique. It will go a long way in improving the image of cultural studies scholarship among historians, anthropologists, and others, who hold it in suspicion. I am sure this study will be much cited as such an exemplar in several fields.”—George E. Marcus, Rice University
Richard Handler is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Virginia.
Eric Gable is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Mary Washington College.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780822319740 |
| ISBN 10 | 0822319748 |
| Title | The New History in an Old Museum |
| Author | Richard Handler |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Duke University Press |
| Year published | 1997-07-17 |
| Number of pages | 272 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |