Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Zen and the Art of Local History (American Association for State & Local History)

Zen and the Art of Local History is an engaging, interactive conversation that conveys the exciting nature of local history. Divided into six major themes the book covers the scope and breadth of local history: • Being a Local Historian • Topics and Sources • Staying Relevant • Getting it Right • Writing History • History Organizations Each chapter features one of Carol Kammen's memorable editorials from History News. Her editorial is a "call." Each is followed by a response from one of more than five dozen prominent players in state and local history. These Respondents include local and public historians, archivists, volunteers, and history professionals across the kaleidoscopic spectrum of local history. Among this group are Katherine Kane, Robert "Bob" Richmond, Charlie Bryan, and Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko. The result is a series of dialogues on important topics in the field of local history. This interactivity of these conversations makes Zen and the Art of Local History a unique offering in the public history field. Review Carol Kammen...has a gift for putting into crafted simple prose the thoughts that many of us have floating around rather vaguely in our minds. Zen and the Art of Local History is a constantly stimulating read. I have rarely seen a better book about local history, or been more impressed by the combination of wisdom, humanity and practicality which it offers.--The Local Historian The only thing better than a Carol Kammen 'On Doing Local History' essay is sixty-eight Carol Kammen essays. The only thing better than sixty-eight of Carol's insightful, spot-on, wonderfully crafted essays is marrying each with a talented colleague laboring in our rich field somewhere in this great country who provides equally compelling commentary and reflection. This volume is a superb idea taken to the max - at once readable, cerebral, practical, philosophical, and fun. Buy it. Read it. Pass it on.--AASLH History News Those in search of the higher purpose of history--be it local, regional, national, or global--would do well to acquaint themselves with Zen and the Art of Local History. It is a welcome reminder of what attracted many of us to the field of history and then kept us here. It speaks from the soul. Kammen and Beatty have produced a work that accurately defines the place of local history within the big tent of public history. It is a good introduction to local history and a road map of some of its contentious as well as more Zen-like paths.--Journal of American History Carol Kammen and Bob Beatty provide timeless thought-fuel about the presence of local history in our daily lives. You'll be engaged, inspired, and armed with a broader perspective that invites you to dig into the important task of making history accessible to others.--Colleen Dilenschneider, chief market engagement office for IMPACTS and author/publisher of the blog Know Your Own Bone. Carol Kammen has been providing thoughtful commentary to History News readers for more than two decades. This volume is a retrospective of her columns followed by responses from her colleagues (and yours). Together, Carol and American Association for State and Local History's own Bob Beatty have put together a book that will challenge your thinking and approaches to our work.--Terry Davis, president and CEO, American Association for State and Local History The only thing better than a Carol Kammen "On Doing Local History" essay is sixty-eight Carol Kammen essays. The only thing better than sixty-eight of Carol's insightful, spot-on, wonderfully crafted essays is marrying each with a talented colleague laboring in our rich field somewhere in this great country who provides equally compelling commentary and reflection. This volume is a superb idea taken to the max--at once readable, cerebral, practical, philosophical, and fun. Buy it. Read it. Pass it on.--D. Stephen Elliott, Director/CEO, Minnesota Historical Society About the Author Carol