Hello soon to be Year 12 A Level and IB historians,

Welcome or welcome back to the History and Politics Department at Warminster School.

My name is Mr Kirby. I’m the Head of Department and I will be one of your teachers next academic year.

The transition work for A Level and IB History over the summer holidays is as follows:

1. Purchase a copy of What is History? by E.H. Carr.

You can buy a used copy of it in very good condition (according to the seller) from Amazon for £6.82 + £2.80 (price correct as of July 2023): https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-History-Trevelyan-University-January-March/dp/0141010207/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JOBNERFT84MA&keywords=what+is+history+e.h.+carr&qid=1688744832&sprefix=what+is+his%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1

Alternatively, you may be able to find and purchase a copy of it in a charity bookshop for a few pounds. Oxfam bookshops generally stock a good range of history books.

2. Read What is History? over the summer holidays. This shortish book is essentially a collection of essays based on a series of lectures Carr gave in 1961 about historiography. You should make notes as you go. I would strongly advise you to read the introduction by Richard Evans, who is himself a very distinguished historian. Reading the introduction will help you with the next task.

3. Write up your notes into a short (approximately 500-1500 word) review of What is History?

Your review should include the following:

A) a brief but informative summary of Carr’s main arguments/perspectives on: the influence and role of historians on interpreting the past, the nature of historical facts/truth and the nature of history as as an academic discipline. Imagine you’re writing the review for someone who hasn’t read the book. However, try not to just describe Carr’s arguments. You need to try to identify and explain why he argued what he did.

B) to what extent you personally agree with/accept Carr’s arguments - and why? Do you think there are any limitations to them? If so, what are they?

Top tip - I would advise you to write up your notes after you’ve read each chapter, rather than waiting until you’ve finished the whole book.

4. Extension task (this task is optional but if you’re serious about achieving a high grade in A Level or IB History in two years time, then you really need to start stretching and challenging yourself from the beginning of the course).

Purchase and read What is History, Now? by Helen Carr (E.H. Carr’s great-granddaughter) and Suzannah Lipscomb:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-History-Now-Suzannah-Lipscomb/dp/147462247X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=11YVQN2TWLEBR&keywords=what+is+history+now&qid=1688905611&sprefix=what+is+his%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-2

Write a short summary of this book too. What are the key similarities and differences between the arguments in the two books? Why do you think this is? (Think about the time difference between when they were written and the authorship).

We will ask you to submit your review in your first History lesson in September. It’s very important that you do so because we’ll be debating Carr’s arguments/ perspectives. We’ll also frequently reference What is History?throughout the course. 

Please email me (dkirby@warminsterschool.org.uk) if you have any questions about this work.

Have a lovely summer and we very much look forward to seeing you in September.

Best wishes,

Mr Kirby