WRITING WORLD WAR II - Softcover

Murray, Sylvie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809085496 ISBN 13: 9780809085491

Publisher: Hill & Wang, 2011

Synopsis

An indispensable tool for high-schoolers, undergraduates, or even amateur enthusiasts, Writing World War II teaches the craft of history writing—by example. In a series of thoughtful essays, Sylvie Murray examines American involvement in World War II and how it has subsequently been portrayed by historians. Murray addresses three broad topics—the prelude to war, the war effort on the home front, and the atypical experiences of soldiers—in an effort to recapture the mixed emotions of the time and the larger forces shaping public opinion. Her work challenges the traditional notions of "the greatest generation" and "the good war," and explores viewpoints that have been largely ignored in popular retellings. The book serves a dual purpose, critiquing the approaches of various historians while at the same time offering Murray's own writing as a model for constructing a persuasive essay.

But as Murray is rightly critical of one-sided historical arguments, Writing World War II offers another layer of analysis and instruction throughout. At various points in the book, her fellow historian Robert D. Johnston chimes in to assess Murray's prose, demystifying her techniques while helping you to become more critical of all sorts of historical writing—including your own.

About this title

About the Author

Sylvie Murray teaches American history at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Robert Johnston is a professor of history at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hill & Wang
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0809085496
• ISBN 13: 9780809085491
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 210