So I am in the midst of writing my essay, and I've run into a problem. I am up to the point in my essay plan where I analyse three specific blog posts so as to display Irving's selection criteria, material, rhetoric and causation but the question arises, which posts to choose?
My initial thought was to analyse some of his posts about the Lipstadt trial for these reasons:
1. Evans makes mention of them
2. They are full of rhetoric eg. "traditional enemies"
3. I know a bit about the trial
But ....
Is this even history? Given my question is "Evaluate David Irving's use of the internet for historical publication" should I be focusing on an actual historical issue eg. Hitler's knowledge of the 'Final Solution' or Aushwitz instead of his posts about a legal battle?
Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks everyone :)
I came to this after our conversation today - but I wanted to follow up. Yes - the Lipstadt trial was about whether professional standards are required of an historian...which is an historiographical issue...so ok. Dresden is a manageable issue (ask Jake) but I really think Auschwitz is a gutsy issue, in the sense that bad history really matters here.
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