This is MacMillan at her best! A very short yet good read. Anyone who is interested in history must have this book.

I would recommend this book to any history student. MacMillan discusses the basic question which we all ask ourselves as students of history (Why should we study it, what good use is it, etc.) The book is suprisingly short and easy to read, however, occasionally the answers she gives to such questions become lost in her evidence. Her evidence includes, and tends to focus on, the Middle East and China rather than on Canadian or European trends in history, but when she does use Canada as an example it is poignant and stands out.

Based on a series of University lectures from Historian Margaret MacMillan, "The Uses and Abuses of History" is a brief synopsis of the current trends in historiography, both good and bad.

In particular, MacMillan is concerned about the "abuse" of history for nationalistic purposes. The dangers of revisionism through selective emphasis and narrow interpretations which according to MacMillan have been used by demagogue leaders to further their jingoistic agendas.

On the positive side, MacMillan discusses the recent popularity of genealogies in this increasingly post-modern society that we live in. Again, however, MacMillan cautions us about the tendency to narcissism without seeing the bigger picture.

MacMillan's writing is clear and easy to follow. Overall, this is a great book for the average reader to understand a little more about historiography and the challenges the contemporary professional Historian faces.

MacMillan explores what the title says but doesn't devote the book to specific case study as much as I'd hoped. Though she uses many examples from history the book is a little redundant but offers good advice. If anything it helps you become more critical of how people refer to history.