Whig Interpretation of History

From online reviews: "Easily readable in an evening and best consumed whole, Herbert Butterfield's book is a wonderful indictment of the historical meta-narratives that are typical of 'Whig' historians. He rightly cautions us away from linear, progressive, value-laden, reductionist interpretations of history toward an approach that appreciates the diversity and the meanderings of the past and one that sees the events and people of the past as they saw themselves." "A classic work in historiography. Butterfield decries the tendency of historians to interpret history as progressively cumulative in the present; or equally, to selectively use history as an ideological justification of "my views"; or finally, to anachronistically read their ideologies into the past so that its heroes were all fighting to produce the ideas they now possess. If you've ever wanted to throttle someone for claiming "all of history shows..." or if you've heard yet another sermon illustration that sounds perfectly contrived to make a point, you get the gist of this book." "This is a must-read for all historians. Butterfield presents a monumental thesis on our interpretation of history-- especially for Americans. It's a fascinating discussion of how history is written by the winners-- the protestant, liberal, democratic winners. One of my favorites."