Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 112
Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-5381-3739-0 • Paperback • September 2019 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-5381-3740-6 • eBook • September 2019 • $30.00 • (£25.00)
Reginald W. Bacon is a museum and history professional with specialties in early American architecture and domestic life --- and early 20th-century music, vaudeville, and circus. His first career as a journalist and editor --- an old-school news reporter in the profession that "writes the first draft of history" ---built the foundation for his current books and research, as well as his work for museums and historic sites. A graduate of Syracuse University (Newhouse School of Public Communications; Maxwell School of Public Affairs) and Harvard (Museum Studies), he is the author of a dozen books on history and performing arts topics.
The Micro-Historian's Guide is a quirky, fascinating look into the work of amateur local historians and genealogists. . . . [the book] provide[s] useful insights into the often-intimidating historical research process and offers practical tips to help nonprofessional researchers.
— Online Searcher
This layman’s guide to the principles and practices of microhistory research instructs the non-professional researcher in the most efficient, effective strategies for converting historical evidence and analysis into a coherent microhistory narrative.— Patricia Peknik, associate professor of American History at Berklee College of Music
Mr. Bacon walks the reader through the research process from start to finish with clear instructions, helpful charts and diagrams, and examples, with humorous observations sprinkled throughout.— Amanda Nelson, attorney and independent museum professional
This small but no nonsense book packs a wallop in the information shared. Bacon shows the reader how to progress through the often daunting path of planning and executing a research project. While targeted at historians – from professional to local – the advice rings true for other fields as well. Bacon’s style often uses humor but drives home the serious nature of good research coupled with critical thinking. His “take nothing for granted” approach is refreshing and extremely good advice. I’d like to see this book used by all my students as well as any friends who are budding historians or genealogists. It is one of the most accessible books I have read.— Katherine Burton Jones, Director of the Graduate Program in Museum Studies, Harvard Extensions School
This book fills the need of a diverse constituency of academics, professionals, and do-gooders who are united in their attempts to make sense of the past. Its approachability, clarity, and brevity can all but guarantee successful outcomes.— Kenneth Jacobs, PhD, Architectural Historian