They were heady days when the first issue of a new history journal was published. The cataclysmic disruptor, the Great War, had ended and many people in the western world were revelling in the moment on a giddy ride skimming the crests of a sea of change. Others were churning the waters in their desire to shed the old ways, to think and do differently. Everything was … [Read more...] about Introducing the Annales Approach to History
Historical Research
Canberra Research Week
When I made the decision to write a book about Australian World War One history in the midst of our move to Singapore I knew I would have to come back to Australia on various research trips. While much of my research centres on digitised historical records, most historical records are not digitised and t is only recently that publishers have offered e-book versions of histories … [Read more...] about Canberra Research Week
Singapore Workflow
Gradually I am developing a work routine here in Singapore. After moving from Sydney I travelled to Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart visiting relations before flying to Singapore. For five weeks I had been living out of a suitcase and in temporary accommodation. It is so good to finally have a place called home. I work from the study in our apartment. My desk was made by my … [Read more...] about Singapore Workflow
Travelling Back in Time
History is about time. That is so obvious that it is easy to take it for granted. While I have been moving I have been pondering what time means for my book. Some Exciting News marked a new era for Stumbling Through the Past. I finished it on the last day I will be in Australia for some months. I hit the ‘publish’ button, then shut down my computer ready for the drive to … [Read more...] about Travelling Back in Time
Big Questions in History: Historians and Public Policy
‘Big Questions in History’ has been the topic of the final plenary panel session at the last few conferences of the Australian Historical Association. These plenary panels have been my favourite session at every conference I have attended. The panels discuss some aspect of historians engaging with people who are not historians. Last year the plenary panel discussed ‘Who is our … [Read more...] about Big Questions in History: Historians and Public Policy