Like It Was: A Complete Guide to Writing Oral History

Gives instructions for writing oral histories and biographies including such aspects as planning, interviewing, transcribing, editing, and publishing the results

YA-- In this how-to guide, Brown succeeds in sharing her oral history methods with prospective historians. Separate chapters focus on using the tape recorder, interview techniques, transcription of the interview, editing, writing short pieces or full biographies, and publishing the results. One chapter for high-school teachers gives suggestions for using oral history in the classroom. A chapter listing other resources closes this well-organized and easy-to-use guide.
- Keddy Outlaw, Harris County Public Library, Houston
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A concise and practical guide. Based on her experiences in putting together Septima Clark's Ready from Within: Septima Clark and the Civil Rights Movement ( Wild Trees Pr., 1986. pap.), Brown tells us who to interview, what questions to ask and how to ask them, how to transcribe from tape recording to paper, and what and how to write from the transcript. This book is a unique source of ideas for oral history as a part of the high school curriculum. Numerous samples and an excellent annotated bibliography of fiction and nonfiction resources round out this easy-to-read guide.
- Donald W. Maxwell, Noblesville-Southeastern P.L., Ind.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.