Writing Postcolonial History

Book excerpt: Writing Postcolonial History addresses the relationship between postcolonial theory and history. It provides students with critical analyses of postcolonial histories from around the world. In addition, it discusses the benefits and shortcomings of this form of writing by situating postcolonial history amid other modes of historical inquiry. The field of postcolonial history is complex. Even though many scholars share a set of commonalities, there are still important differences in emphasis. Through discussion of key texts, Writing Postcolonial History provides students with an accessible analysis and overview of the key areas of debate. This book is an effort to address the relationship between postcolonial theory and history; a regional critique of postcolonial theory; a consideration of the relative merits and drawbacks of postcolonial historical writing.