Secondary School Textbooks: English History

Abstract

All the books, either in series or single volumes, are designed to provide the basis of a secondary school syllabus. They are not specific to any of the particular periods, or topics, of history categorized in the rest of the Handbook. It is only possible to offer a selection from the large number of textbooks now available. A number of writers deliberately vary their approach in the concluding books of series, bearing 'relevance' and 'school leavers' in mind. Most pupils offering history as an examination subject at either CSE or General Certificate of Education are guided into selecting a modern history syllabus. This is reflected in the substantial number of books available covering the past 300 years, many of them designed to cater for the needs of examination candidates. The teaching of economic and social history has increased greatly in recent years. There have been serious pedagogical difficulties associated with this trend, but one is of major concern.