Book review: 'The Purpose of the Past: Reflections on the Uses of History'

Title: "The Purpose of the Past: Reflections on the Uses of History"

Author: by Gordon S. Wood

Publisher: Penguin Press

Pages: 323

Price: $25.95

In a Nutshell: This intriguing book comprises 21 energetic essays written by Gordon Wood, who has been called "the pre-eminent historian of the Revolution." A prolific historian himself, he knows better than most scholars what it takes to write interesting and purposeful history. In these essays, Wood discusses many of our most important historians, their methods and the changes that have taken place in the writing of history. Since Wood believes that history should be written for the general public rather than the academic, he advises other historians to do the same. After reading this book, many general readers will want to read Wood's masterful, "The Radicalism of the American Revolution."