"I can warmly recommend Responsible History to any concerned historian in need of a reliable compass for responsible conduct. I endorse Voltaire''s words quoted in this book: ''Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.'' Responsible conduct is necessary because irresponsible conduct is dangerous." [From the Foreword.]

The abuse of history is common and quite possibly once more on the rise. Although this is well documented, there is no general theory that enables historians to identify, prove, explain, and evaluate the many types of abuse of history. In this book, the author, founder of the Network of Concerned Historians, presents such a theory. Reflecting on the responsible use of history, the author identifies the duties that the living has toward the dead and analyzes the rights to memory and history necessary to fulfill these duties. He concludes his powerful argument by proposing a code of ethics as a guide for responsible historians. This work is vital for any historian who wants to oppose and prevent the abuse of history.

“I can warmly recommend Responsible History to any concerned historian in need of a reliable compass for responsible conduct. I endorse Voltaire’s words quoted in this book: ‘Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.’ Responsible conduct is necessary because irresponsible conduct is dangerous.” [From the Foreword.]

The abuse of history is common and quite possibly once more on the rise. Although this is well documented, there is no general theory that enables historians to identify, prove, explain, and evaluate the many types of abuse of history. In this book, the author, founder of the Network of Concerned Historians, presents such a theory. Reflecting on the responsible use of history, the author identifies the duties that the living has toward the dead and analyzes the rights to memory and history necessary to fulfill these duties. He concludes his powerful argument by proposing a code of ethics as a guide for responsible historians. This work is vital for any historian who wants to oppose and prevent the abuse of history.

Foreword
Jürgen Kocka

A word of gratitude
Acknowledgments
List of tables and appendixes

Introduction

PART I: IRRESPONSIBLE HISTORY

Chapter 1. A theory of the abuse of history
Chapter 2. The dictator’s secret archives
Chapter 3. Defamation cases against historians

PART II: RESPONSIBLE HISTORY

Chapter 4. Duties of the living to the dead
Chapter 5. The rights to memory and history
Chapter 6. A code of ethics for historians

Epilogue

Bibliography
Biographical note
Index