A forthcoming book begs the question as to what provides depth in historical narrative. Is it simply duration? If so, does deep history preclude thick description? The reaction to microhistory came swiftly, but does it put us back on the shaky ground of neo-evolutionary determination? Looking forward to finding out. At any rate, a strike against the predominant obsession with the singularity of the modern is an important contribution.
Distressed by most historians’ overwhelming preoccupation with the modern world, an unusual coalition of scholars is trying to stage an intellectual coup, urging their colleagues to look up from the relatively recent swirl of bloody conflicts, global financial exchanges and technological wonders and gaze further back, toward humanity’s origins.
via ‘Deep History’ Takes Humanity Back to Its Origins – NYTimes.com.