The Selected Writings of Marc Bloch: Essays from the Annales School, 1914-1944

This book brings a selection of the influential writings of Marc Bloch into the English language, largely for the very first time. Chronologically arranged to trace the developmental arc of Bloch’s historical philosophy, the translations in The Selected Writings of Marc Bloch offer an illuminating insight into the theories of a pioneer historian and original founder of the renowned Annales school of French social history.

The carefully curated translations in this volume reveal Bloch’s thoughts on questions that historical studies has grappled with since the birth of the discipline. Why should history exist at all? What value does it have? What exactly is a science of history? What is the actual role of the historian in historical studies?

This collection presents Bloch’s precise understanding of the contours of the discipline of history, defined by the abuttal and transgression of its borders by other subjects. Consequently, it provides a theoretical underpinning for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary concepts via historical studies, pulling into its fold diverse themes such as customs, agriculture, economics, nutrition, technology, manners, art, fashion, and countless other topics explored by Bloch himself in the process.

Iona Singh is a writer and French to English translator based in France. She is the author of Color, Facture, Art and Design (2012) and has published refereed articles in academic journals in the US, including Rethinking Marxism and the eco-journal, Capitalism Nature Socialism.