Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing is a comprehensive resource that has been revised and updated for its sixth edition. Since its first publication almost 30 years ago, this guide continues to be essential for students and researchers embarking on their journey through historical writing. The book delves into various schools of thought, exploring the dynamic nature and professional history of research papers. It equips readers with the skills necessary to identify, find, and evaluate both primary and secondary sources, making it a valuable tool for any historian or student aiming to write their first or “real” research paper.

This new edition addresses recent changes in historical study over the past two decades. It introduces a fresh section analyzing how authors of historical works strive to determine and engage with their appropriate audience, ranging from scholars targeting fellow specialists to popular writers seeking broader readership. Additionally, the guide includes a handy style guide for creating footnotes, endnotes, bibliographical entries, as well as a list of commonly used abbreviations, ensuring that researchers can produce polished and accurate scholarly work.