Welcome

Welcome to the companion website for the second edition of Oral History Theory by Lynn Abrams. This essential introduction to the theory and practice of oral history has been revised and updated with key new material, and this companion website provides valuable supporting material to extend and enhance the book’s comprehensive treatment of the application of theory to oral history analysis. The new edition of Oral History Theory:

Is the only dedicated introduction to theoretical analysis for oral historians
Offers a step-by step guide to the theoretical frameworks applied by oral historians
Provides examples of the application of theory to oral history material
Offers guidance on how to conduct theoretical analysis of oral history material
Draws on examples of oral history practice from around the world.

What you will find on this website:

Chapter-by-chapter resources for students, including summaries of each chapter, questions for discussion, audio files and transcripts of oral history interviews featured in the text
Flashcards and a glossary of key terms
Links to related websites
Suggestions for further reading
A link to the Routledge History Arena, Routledge’s main website for this subject area, where you can find more information about our books, journals and electronic publishing.

Book Information Complimentary Exam Copy

Book Cover

Endorsements

The first edition of Lynn Abrams' Oral History Theory uniquely provided a comprehensive overview of the theory underpinning the practice of oral history. This updated second edition, with new material on trauma, ethics, collaborative practice and the impact of digital technologies will be an essential read for students, researchers and interviewers.
Andrew Flinn University College London, UK

By explaining often complex theoretical constructs and debates in a user-friendly and understandable language, this newly updated edition will prove invaluable to oral history practitioners and students alike. Cutting-edge in its outlook and approach, this edition extends our understanding of on-going developments by focussing on the impact of new digital technologies, the growing interest in trauma or ‘crisis’ oral history, and the theoretical and practical implications of conducting collaborative oral history projects.
Andrew Edwards Bangor University, UK

Oral History Theory provides students and practitioners of oral history with an accessible introduction to complex ideas shaping the field. This well-organized text lays out a compilation of research and examples that fostered deeper understanding among students as they conducted their own interviews.
Joanne Goodwin University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA

In this book, Lynn Abrams speaks to a range of potential audiences interested in the practice and outcomes of oral history research. The text includes theoretical analysis, practical advice and reference to a range of case studies. This newly revised edition also includes consideration of dealing with ‘trauma’ and the ethical issues arising in oral history practice and analysis. The accompanying website now makes this an essential tool for teaching, learning and research in the field.
Melanie Ilic University of Gloucestershire, UK

Praise for the previous edition: This book offers a wonderfully accessible and jargon-free outline of interpretative models and theoretical frameworks for understanding oral history narratives. It will be an invaluable resources for teachers, students and researchers in the field.
Alistair Thompson Monash University, Australia

Praise for the previous edition: Beautifully written and comprehensive in scope, this book is a ‘must have’ for all those who engage with oral history. Whether we do so as researchers who use the method, or readers who enjoy its results, we have much to learn from this excellent critical discussion of oral history theory and practice.
Penny Summerfield University of Manchester, UK