'This article considers the divide between popular and academic history, especially
as perceived by popular and academic historians. It argues that the two forms of
history, though clearly connected to one another, have different priorities and audiences.
In particular, where academic historians prize originality of research, popular
historians will tend to prize powerful storytelling. The article suggests that popular
historians could acknowledge more handsomely that many do owe their debt to the
research findings of academic historians, while in their turn academic historians
have much to learn from popular historians about how to communicate the pleasures
and importance of understanding the past.' (Author's abstract p. 7)