Bringing History to Life

As a kid in the 1990s, there was nothing more exciting to me than seeing a teacher wheel in the old television cart. It was time to turn down the lights, sit back and watch a movie. Regardless of the subject area, the educational value of these flicks was often dubious at best; however, in Bringing History to Life, editors Marc-André Éthier and David Lefrançois show that popular history can provide valuable teaching tools if students are encouraged to engage critically with the material. In the book’s 14 chapters, a variety of authors explore the opportunities and limitations of a range of popular history media — including films, music and video games — as well as public history institutions such as museums and historic sites.

Disparaging the passive viewing experiences of my school days, the contributors to this collection emphasize that movies and other sources of popular history should be questioned and evaluated. Students should ask: What choices did the creators make? What perspectives are included or left out? What methodologies shape these narratives? By doing so, they can develop a more nuanced understanding of the past and of the nature of historical storytelling.

Originally published in French, this translated edition brings rich research and case studies from Quebec, a perspective often overlooked in English-language discussions on history education. While the academic prose can be dense at times, the book offers practical insights for educators looking to harness the power of popular and public history in the classroom.