Doing Oral History by Donald A. Ritchie (review)

As did many oral historians, when the first and second editions of Doing Oral History came out, I got them and used them; I am now using the third edition. From the first edition forward, Doing Oral History has helped people understand what oral history is and how to do it. The third edition, with its expanded, upto-date information about technology, legal options, education, and the practice of oral history internationally, continues to be an essential source for oral historians.

The richness, number, and variety of examples of oral history projects that Ritchie uses in the third edition, spanning several decades and many countries, provides, as he notes in the introduction, “some reassurance about continuity” in the practice of oral history even when so much has changed (xiii). And, as is also noted in the introduction, oral historians not only should be aware of the work that has been done in the past, they should be sensitive to the body of work they leave for the future (xiv). It is Ritchie’s ability to place oral history into this broad context, combined with practical advice and guidelines about how to do oral history, that help make this book a standard guide.

The book begins with a discussion of what oral history is. In addition to providing a definition of oral history, it includes background about changes in documenting first-person information and a discussion about what it takes to be an oral historian. The sections Memory and Oral History and Public History and Oral History provide essential information about both topics that is helpful to the practice of oral history. In the Public History and Oral History section, for example, the discussion about the “natural affinity” between oral history and public history helps describe the role of oral history in bringing history to public audiences (28). Throughout the book, information is presented in straightforward language helpful for both academic and community audiences.

Guidelines in the book about setting up a project and conducting interviews help the reader understand the oral history process. Basic planning steps—taking an idea and identifying what is needed to make it into a manageable project—are stated in terms that are easy for both beginners and experienced oral historians to follow. In the context of planning, the discussion about equipment not only provides information about the newest forms of digital recording but also covers transitions from older recording devices. Information in the book about legal concerns is considerably expanded in the third edition. It covers the basics of copyright and both traditional and newer options for how to handle it. It also offers new information about interviewee rights resulting from the Boston College University Libraries’ Belfast Project case. The section on archiving and the Internet—new to the second edition—is updated in the third edition to reflect digital-age changes and their impact on oral history. Information in the book has a project focus but is as applicable to a single interview as it is to large, multiyear programs.

Ritchie begins his review of interviewing by noting that good interviewing combines a mix of privilege, passion, patience, and persistence and then describes what this means. Using the question-and-answer design for which the book is known, Ritchie refines and updates answers to questions and adds information that reflects changes in the practice of oral history. Discussions, for example, about the impact of interviewer-interviewee empathy and distance interviewing techniques are helpful additions. Topics covering oral history as historical evidence, use of anonymous interviewees, and sensitivity to content that is posted online also are of importance to oral historians. Readers also will want to review a new section on theory in chapter 4 and its information about theories involving narrative and memory and their roles in doing interviews and analyzing content.

The book provides an in-depth discussion about the use of video in oral history. As with previous editions, this does not include specific recommendations but rather offers...