History-Remembered, Recovered, Invented

In this short and illuminating book, composed of the Gottesman lectures at Yeshiva University, Bernard Lewis addresses himself to questions about the nature of historical knowledge. His examples are taken mostly from Middle Eastern history, but their application is clearly contemporary. There is, he points out, a relation between historical interpretation and political ends, and although he recognizes a difference between the writing and rewriting of history, he takes for granted that historical interpretation is governed by underlying concepts of religious, national and social behavior. The presentation is learned and witty, and the reader cannot help becoming aware of the hypocrisy as well as the irony of historical interpretation.

In aceasta carte scurta si iluminatoare, compusa din prelegerile Gottesman de la Universitatea Yeshiva, Bernard Lewis se adreseaza intrebarilor despre natura cunoasterii istorice. Exemplele sale sunt preluate mai ales din istoria Orientului Mijlociu, dar aplicarea lor este clar contemporana.