Recommendation of “Alireza Kamari” on the best works of oral history theory

The prose of “Oral History Theory” is straight forward and scientific

Maryam Asadi Jafari
Translated by Natalie Haghverdian

2019-4-16

Alireza Kamari believes Ali Fathali Ashtiani has presented a pellucid and pleasant translation of the book “Oral History Theory”. The book starts with discussions on oral history and reviews discussions on narratives, memory, interview, mind and mentality. The book is not expansive and detailed however it is an entry point for anyone interested in oral history and provides proper guideline. The prose of the book is straight forward and easy to be understood by a wide audience and scientific at the same time.

According to the Iran Oral History Website, the upheavals of the contemporary history of Iran – starting from the Islamic Revolution to the imposed war and the years following it – have left deep effects on the cultural, social and political arenas of the country and historiography – from any perspective – has moved along with these events and continues to pursue. Considering that the oral culture originates form the Iranian community, memoirs and oral history books have become popular in the past decade and recension of these books is a proof but not an absolute cause.

In light of this, quantitative increase in the publication of these books in 2018 was a reason to review the perspective of the interviewers, producers and the pundits of the oral history during the past year. This article is a brief interview with Alireza Kamari, Management of Research in the Sustainable Culture & Literature Study Center, and expert in composing books and articles and delivering speeches in conferences and technical meetings of oral history.

Book Recommendation

Alireza Kamari introduced “Oral History Theory” by Lynne Abrams, translated by Ali Fathali Ashtiani as a certified and verified book on theoretic and scientific concepts of oral history and added: “Lynne Abrams is the professor of history and manager of human sciences faculty of Glasgow University, Scotland. The body of the book includes theoretic content and applicable techniques in oral history which has been introduced to the students of history. Since the book has addressed both the theoretic and practical and applicable aspects, it is certifiable. Abrams is an experienced interviewer and a historian and oral historian and not merely a theorist. The book was first published chapter by chapter in Iran Oral History Website.

Mr. Ashtiani has presented a pellucid and pleasant translation of the book. The book starts with discussions on oral history and reviews discussions on narratives, memory, interview, mind and mentality. The book is not expansive and detailed however it is an entry point for anyone interested in oral history and provides proper guideline. The prose of the book is straight forward and easy to be understood by a wide audience and scientific at the same time.

A Review of the Best of Oral History Theories

Author of “Progression towards Sustainability” classified the books published so far on the theory of oral history and memoirology – including articles to the books composed and translated – into three groups and added: “The number of books translated, collection of articles or books composed do not exceed 20; although these books have been mostly published in the past 15 years. Of these books, “Oral history & its status in the contemporary historiography of Iran” by Dr. Mehdi Abolhassani Taraghi and Dr. Morteza Nourai, “Oral history; theories & methodology” by Faezeh Tavakoli, “Experiences and interactions in oral history” by Dr. Morteza Rasoulipour are also certifiable considering that these authors have recounted their experiences in oral history. Also, “Oral history in Iran” by Abolfazl Hassanabadi is also an important book. Other group of these books include the results of technical meetings held in the past years. “Interview in oral hisotry”, “Oral history of sacrifice & martyrdom” or series of articles presented in the fifth conference on oral hisotry in Mashhad by the efforts of Dr. Hassanabadi and “Series of articles of the 78^th conference on oral history” published by the efforts of Dr. Ali Tatari are to be included. With regards to the books translated “Oral history guidelines” translated by Reza Mohajer is also an important work. The efforts of Dr. Gholamreza Azizi intertwined with his involvement in the management of couple of technical oral history conferences and publication of the articles of the conference in two oral history journals are worth mentioning. When the opportunity presents, the role of Iran Oral History Association in the development and promotion of scientific activities in oral history will be discussed. It is also worth mentioning the activities of Iran Oral History Website in this field.