Search

This article offers one view of the evolving historiography that shapes, or might shape, specialist research on regions and periods covered by the conference. It argues that recent trends have given fresh impetus to an old subject, empires, and presented possibilities for studying a new one, globalization. It explores the reasons for the "material turn" and the "totalizing return" in historical studies, and illustrates the stages through which these developments have passed by citing examples from the author's own varied fortunes in exploring both subjects. The article concludes by suggesting how some of the main themes discussed at the conference might be connected to the new historiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]