The Art of Time Travel: Historians and Their Craft

No matter how practised we are at history, it always humbles us. No matter how often we visit the past, it always surprises us. The art of time travel is to maintain critical poise and grace in this dizzy space. In this landmark book, eminent historian and award-winning author Tom Griffiths explores the craft of discipline and imagination that is history. Through portraits of fourteen historians, including Inga Clendinnen, Judith Wright, Geoffrey Blainey and Henry Reynolds, he traces how a body of work is formed out of a life-long dialogue between past evidence and present experience. With meticulous research and glowing prose, he shows how our understanding of the past has evolved, and what this changing history reveals about us. Passionate and elegant, The Art of Time Travel conjures fresh insights into the history of Australia and renews our sense of the historian's craft. Tom Griffiths is the W K Hancock Professor of History at the Australian National University His books and essays have won prizes in literature, history, science, politics and journalism, including the Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History, the Alfred Deakin Prize for an Essay Advancing Public Debate, and the Douglas Stewart and Nettie Palmer Prizes for Non-Fiction. 'Griffiths' luminous new work underlines the inarguable point that if we are truly to understand our history, we must get to know those who wrote it. A must-read for anyone interested in Australia's past.' -Tim Flannery 'Greatly enriches our understanding of Australia past and present ... the book teems with fresh insights. Griffiths poses searching questions, which yield illuminating and often exhilarating answers.' -Ken Inglis AO, award-winning author and historian 'A rare feat of imagination and generosity. No other historian has so eloquently and powerfully conveyed history's allure. The Art of Time Travel will remain relevant for decades to come.' -Mark McKenna, award-winning author and historian 'An historian at the height of his powers. This is book is not only a meditation on the past, but a rallying cry for the future, in which Australia's history might be a source of both unflinching self-examination and poetic wonder.' -Brigid Hains, editorial director, Aeon Magazine 'Sharp insights, thoughtful judgment, a generous spirit - Griffiths' panorama of Australian historians shows why any similar survey conducted in the future will include his own artful work among the honoured.' -Stephen J. Pyne, Arizona State University 'An enthralling account of the intellectual rediscovery of Australia by fourteen of its most innovative explorers, vividly brought to life by a gifted interpreter. Tom Griffiths' lyrical prose is mesmerizing in its mastery of Australia's conjunctures of land and lineage, history and memory, fact and fable.' -David Lowenthal, University College London 'Suitable for lovers of Australian history, biography and culture, The Art of Time Travel is a graceful and lively work animated by Griffiths' experience and enthusiasm' -Books+Publishing