History

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The book explores the contributions of Leopold von Ranke and Jacob Burckhardt, highlighting their roles as foundational figures in modern historical scholarship. While often viewed as opposites—Ranke focusing on political history and Burckhardt on cultural history—Felix Gilbert argues that their perspectives were shaped by shared influences from the 19th century. Through five interconnected essays, the work delves into the origins of history as an independent discipline, challenging readers to reconsider fundamental questions in historical scholarship.