Past Imperfect Book Review

In Past Imperfect: Facts, Fictions, Fraud—American History from Bancroft and Parkman to Ambrose, Bellesiles, Ellis, and Goodwin, Peter Charles Hoffer, a professor of history at the University of Georgia and former member of the American Historical Association 's Professional Division, discusses the issue of professional and ethical misconduct in the field of history. Hoffer analyzes the four cases of Ambrose, Bellesiles, Ellis, and Goodwin, and notes that developments within the field of history have affected historians. Such cases of falsification and plagiarism were not surprising, but, in fact, “predictable, perhaps even inevitable,” influenced by the “always contested evolution of historical writing in America” (ix). Therefore, Hoffer has two goals in the writing of this text. The …show more content…
While a seemingly insignificant stylistic choice, it became a rather large annoyance. Not only that, to ask questions in any kind of semi-professional text is viewed by many as a staple of poor writing. Even if Past Imperfect is written for a generalized popular audience, Hoffer, as a trained historian, could have made better structural choices when it came to his actual written material. It simply looked sloppy, as this was a full book not an editorial or high school textbook.
Past Imperfect is fluid and largely well written. Hoffer is extremely passionate in his arguments and engages his readers. He brings up important questions regarding the practice and study of historical writing and issues of professionalism and ethical conduct in scholarly work. This book would be recommended for anyone interested in the historiography of writing in the historical field of study. It would also be of interest to anyone who cared to look beyond the typical captivating narrative and look at the foundations of history in America, and how such foundations affect