Understanding and Uniting the Field of History

Review of James M. Banner, Jr.s Being a Historian: An Introduction to

the Professional World of History
Elizabeth Johnson
8/26/2014

History 6003 (Intro to Graduate History) Dr. Castro

Designed to offer a unique perspective into the development of the historical field, James
M. Banner, Jr.s Being a Historian: An Introduction to the Professional World of History
provides a critical, yet constructive, assessment of both the discipline and professions of history.
Banner begins his assessment of the history of history by following its development from the
early nineteenth century, as preparation for legal and medical professions, to the late nineteenth
century as a field which increasingly focused on the creation, transmission, and evaluation of
historical learning by specially trained people. 1 The transition in the late nineteenth century led
to the creation of professional history with its primary dwelling inside academy walls. Using this
brief timeline as the foundation of his discussion, Banner argues that amateur and professional
historians well into the twentieth century have allowed the central focus of academic history to
hinder the fields development as technological changes and the purpose of historical studiesas
a means of academic debate and eventually public patronagehave continued to challenge the
field, its participants, and the opportunities available to those who obtain a graduate education in
history. Furthermore, through the arguments presented in his book, Banner seeks to reunite
historians of all practices, whether academic, public, or professional, through a shared history
and perceived practical application of each emphasis' strengths and weaknesses.
Written primarily for advanced students of history, as well as those currently engaged in
professional historical work, both inside and outside of academia, Banner coherently and
persuasively addresses the discipline and structure of the field before transitioning into a
thorough discussion of the changing roles and responsibilities of historians. With a heavy
emphasis on the responsibility of professors of history to adequately prepare their students for
the multitude of opportunities and career possibilities available to graduates students, Banner
James M. Banner, Jr., Being a Historian: An Introduction to the Professional World of History (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2012), 1-2.
1

relies upon his experience and observations of the professional world of history to bring into the
open many topics neglected in the professional lives, as well as in the education, of practicing
historians. 2 It is undeniable, and understandable, that many individuals go into the field of
history to pursue teaching positions at academic institutions, and so the academic trinity of
research, teaching, and service are explained and examined at length to depict the influence the
trinity has on the discipline. 3 However, Banner criticizes the emphasis placed on the trinity by
research universities and cites this emphasis as the primary cause of the belief among many
history students that the academic field is the primary means of assessing ones historical
knowledge and capabilities. 4 By focusing on and analyzing the trinity, Banner reveals the
inevitability of students self-education leading the way into non-academic historical
professions. 5 The discussion of the impact of the academic trinity, and the long-held belief that
academic professors should only educate and train history students for the academic world begs
the question of how, if at all possible, the various professional jobs attainable by history
graduates can be united under the common goal of educating the public (via classroom
instruction, museums, scholarship, and countless other examples).
While Banners work sheds light on the history of the rise of academic work, a
substantial portion of the book is dedicated to the rising field of public history and the formidable
gap that exists between public and academic history. Significant attention is given to the
problems of borderline competing interests within history, but Banner admits the limits of his
knowledge and does not claim to have a solution to such problems. Noting that public history is
a relatively young field, with formal origins dating only to the 1970s, he explained the field lacks

Banner, xv.
Ibid., 96.
4
Ibid., 107.
5
Ibid., 122.
2
3

legitimacy in the eyes of many academic historians. 6 However, Banner seeks to change the
fields perspective on public history through his assertion that it has been public historians
who have made leading advances in cultural resource management and oral history. 7 Advocacy
for public history out of a seasoned historian such as Banner provides hope and validity to this
underappreciated emphasis within the field of history.
To a novice in the history of the discipline and professions of history, grasping the
overarching themes and significances through some of Banners discussion could prove to be a
daunting task. While Banner's writing style is impressive and exhibits his knowledge and
aptitude in his field of study, at several points throughout the text his central point was
convoluted through his writing style, especially his grandiose vocabulary. However, this point
hardly ruins the quality of the book as it was created for advanced students of history and
professional historians. Thus, Banners input that historians ought to aim for Orwellian lucidity
and directness, andkeep in mind that the use of hermetic language poses the same danger as
elitism is not applicable to his work due to his specific target audience. 8 Relying upon his
personal experience, as well as a plethora of journal articles and scholarly books, Banners book
provides more than adequate evidence to back up his disheartening claims about the state of the
field of history. Though it can be discouraging to read this account of history, Banner speaks to
his audience in such a way as to show the seriousness of the situation, while spreading the blame
equally among all members in the field.
Ultimately, James M. Banner, Jr. provides a thorough discussion of the history of history,
which allows all aspiring and practicing historians to understand the origins of the field. While
there are many problems within the field that cause sharp divisions between members of each
Banner, 128.
Ibid., 137.
8
Ibid., 77.
6
7

historical profession, Banner suggests that, through a conscious effort to support, encourage, and
legitimize all types of historical work, historians can reunite the field. However, in order to do
so, one must first understand the origins and current state of history within and outside of the
academic world. Only then, and thanks in part to Banner, can historians understand the problems
and plan out a feasible future for the discipline of history, as well as historical professions.