"In May 1998, a group of prominent scholars announced the formation of the Historical Society, an organization that sought to be free of the jargon-laden debates and political agendas that have come to distance so many readers from their interest in historical scholarship."--BOOK JACKET. "In this first book from the Historical Society, several founding members explore central topics in the field, including the sensitive use of historical records, sources, and archives; the debates over teaching history in the public schools; the enduring value of the practice of history; and much more. Reconstructing History is sure to challenge and inform scholars, students, educators, and the many general readers who have become lost in the culture wars."--BOOK JACKET.