Hershel Baker was born in Texas and educated at Harvard, where he taught as Francis Lee Higgonson Professor of English Literature. His publications include John Philip Kemble, The Dignity of Man, The Wars of Truth, William Hazlitt, and (in collaboration with the late Hyder Rollins) The Renaissance in England.

‘…solid erudition, clear, lively writing, reliance on primary sources, and attention to the intellectual and literary activities of the period.’ - Choice ‘Because the mind of its author is erudite, witty, and equally at home in historical writing and belles-lettres, this delightful book illuminates much more than its announced subject, historiography.’  - Renaissance Quarterly ‘…a well written, brief, stimulating introduction to an important topic. This is a popular work of the best type and will be of interest to general readers as well as to students.’- Queen's Quarterly

Hershel Baker was born in Texas and educated at Harvard, where he taught as Francis Lee Higgonson Professor of English Literature. His publications include John Philip Kemble, The Dignity of Man, The Wars of Truth, William Hazlitt, and (in collaboration with the late Hyder Rollins) The Renaissance in England.

‘…solid erudition, clear, lively writing, reliance on primary sources, and attention to the intellectual and literary activities of the period.’ - Choice ‘Because the mind of its author is erudite, witty, and equally at home in historical writing and belles-lettres, this delightful book illuminates much more than its announced subject, historiography.’  - Renaissance Quarterly ‘…a well written, brief, stimulating introduction to an important topic. This is a popular work of the best type and will be of interest to general readers as well as to students.’- Queen's Quarterly

Hershel Baker was born in Texas and educated at Harvard, where he taught as Francis Lee Higgonson Professor of English Literature. His publications include John Philip Kemble, The Dignity of Man, The Wars of Truth, William Hazlitt, and (in collaboration with the late Hyder Rollins) The Renaissance in England.

‘…solid erudition, clear, lively writing, reliance on primary sources, and attention to the intellectual and literary activities of the period.’ - Choice ‘Because the mind of its author is erudite, witty, and equally at home in historical writing and belles-lettres, this delightful book illuminates much more than its announced subject, historiography.’  - Renaissance Quarterly ‘…a well written, brief, stimulating introduction to an important topic. This is a popular work of the best type and will be of interest to general readers as well as to students.’- Queen's Quarterly