Histories and Fallacies: Problems Faced in the Writing of History

How do we know the stories told by historians are true? To what extent can we rely on their interpretations of the past?
Histories and Fallacies is a primer on the conceptual and methodological problems in the discipline of history. Historian Carl Trueman presents a series of classic historical problems as a way to examine what history is, what it means, and how it can be told and understood. Each chapter in Histories and Fallacies gives an account of a particular problem, examines classic examples of that problem, and then suggests a solution or approach that will bear fruit for the writer or reader of history.
Readers who follow Trueman's deft writing will not just be learning theory but will already be practicing fruitful approaches to history. Histories and Fallacies guides both readers and writers of history away from dead ends and methodological mistakes, and into a fresh confidence in the productive nature of the historical task.
"This book is one that I had wanted to write for some time. I have always loved all kinds of history, and so when Allan Fisher offered me the opportunity to write on topics outside of my immediate area of specialization, such as Holocaust Denial and Marxism, the temptation was irresistible. Thanks therefore go to Allan for commissioning the volume; to Justin Taylor for suggesting the idea in the first place; and to all the staff at Crossway who have been both very patient with the constant delays to the book and so efficient in expediting the process once I had finished the manuscript. As always, I am indebted to my colleagues in Academic Affairs at Westminster, Mrs. Becky Lippert and Mrs. Leah Stapleton, who have shouldered much of the
administrative burden so that I have been free to pursue my writing projects. Finally, my wife and children have, as always, proved a constant source of encouragement and inspiration."