This is only a partial recommendation at the moment as I have not finished the book, however you may be interested in Peter Kenez' "The Coming of the Holocaust" which traces the roots of anti-Semitism right back into history. An excellent introduction to the topic. It is available HERE.

You may also find Albert Lindemann's "Anti-Semitism: A History" a useful way into some of the key debates. It is available HERE.

Some key guidance on working with historians in preparation for your Personal Study.

As you read for your Personal Study you will be developing your understadning of key historical debates. However you need to be careful not to take historians at face value. Historians are in the buisness of convincing you of their argument. To get top marks in Persoanl Study, you need to engage critically with what historians are saying and think about their specific approach to the topic. This approach in itself might have merits and demerits fo the purpose you are using it for.

You will need to think about the evidence used and approach of historians in order to comment on their usefulness/reliability in your evidence review. This is also a really good habit to get into for further study!!

You may find this radio programme from Melvin Bragg quite useful as he investigates the history of history writing LINK.

"Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how the writing of history has changed over time, from ancient epics to medieval hagiographies and modern deconstructions. In the 6th century AD, the bishop of Tours began his history of the world with a  simple observation that “A great many things keep happening, some of them good,  some of them bad”. For a phrase that captures the whole of history it’s among  the best, but in writing about the past we are rarely so economical. From ancient epics – Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War - to medieval hagiographies and modern deconstructions, historians have endlessly chronicled, surveyed and analysed the great many things that keep happening, declaring some of them good and some of them bad. But the writing of history always illuminates  two periods – the one history is written about and the one it is written in. And  to look at how the writing of history has changed is to examine
the way  successive ages have understood their world. In short, there is a history to  history."

Mr F

A number of fantastic podcasts here from Melvin Bragg and the "In Our Time" team. Links to each given below:

The Dreyfus Affair

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Dreyfus Affair, which tore France apart in the 1890s. With Robert Gildea, Robert Tombs and Ruth Harris.

Download 20MB (right click & "save target as / link as")


The French Revolution's Legacy

The impact and legacy of the French Revolution on European culture and politics. With Stephan Collini, Andrew Roberts and Anne Janowitz.

Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")



Moses Mendelssohn

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the work and influence of the 18th-century philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Moses's learning earned him the sobriquet of the 'German Socrates' and he is considered to be one of the principal architects of the Haskala, the Jewish Enlightenment. Today, he is perhaps best remembered for his efforts to bring Jewish and German culture closer together and for his plea for religious toleration. Melvyn Bragg is joined by Christopher Clark, Professor of Modern European History at the University of Cambridge; Abigail Green, Tutor and Fellow in History at the University of Oxford and Adam Sutcliffe, Senior Lecturer in European History at King's College, London.

Download 20MB (right click & "save target as / link as")



Hitler in History

Melvyn Bragg examines Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany though historiographical theories. With guests Ian Kershaw, Niall Ferguson and Mary Fulbrook.

Download 20MB (right click & "save target as / link as")


History and Understanding the Past

Melvyn Bragg examines whether we can ever predict the future by understanding the past. With Eric Hobsbawm and Richard Evans.

Download 13MB (right click & "save target as / link as")