Historically Thinking

Historically Thinking


Episode 241: Doing the Research

January 10, 2022

So what does research mean to you? Does it mean looking for someone somewhere on the internet who agrees with you?

Then you should really listen to this podcast.

This is another of our continuing series on the “moves” of historical thinking, or what I like to think of as “what historical thinking can do for you.” For if history is a way of seeing the past, then it is also a way of knowing. And that means that history can teach habits of seeing and knowing that are useful for everyone, not just professionals.

Defining research in the form of a question, it means "where can I find more evidence?" It uses relevant, significant sources, found on one's own in other books, on scholarly websites, and in other places.

With us to talk about research, and how he does it, is Alexander Mikaberidze, Professor of European History at the Louisiana State University at Shreveport, where he is also Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair for the Curatorship of the James Smith Noel Collection, one of the largest private collections of antiquarian books, prints, and maps in the United States. Acclaimed as one of the “great Napoleonic scholars of today”, this is his third appearance on the podcast. He was last on to discuss his book The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History.

 

For Further Investigation

Zotero: this program could change your life
The IRISCan Book 5 Wifi–not Mikaberidze approved, but useful
Episode 155: The Second World War, or, the Napoleonic Wars
Episode 14: Alex Mikaberidze on the World History of the Napoleonic Wars