Subject Lessons: Life Histories as Reciprocal Empowerment

Life histories are a class of oral data distinct from memoirs, autobiography, and conventional history in multiple ways. It is a way to lay out the felt experience of events in people’s everyday lives and not simply the statement of historical facts. As narrated pieces, life histories possess the unique voice of the individuals. Collecting data through life histories enables the interviewer-interviewee to develop a special bond that has the capacity to empower both in different ways. Subject Lessons examines the use of and value in using one’s life history as research within the social sciences.

John Forrest (Juan Alejandro Forrest de Sloper) was Professor of anthropology and dance at Purchase College, State University of New York for 35 years, serving variously as head of anthropology (18 years), sociology (3 years), and New Media (2 years). His most recent books include Messy Ethnography: Does Englishness Exist? (NOVA Science, 2023) andDoing Field Projects: Methods and Practice for Social and Anthropological Research, (Wiley-Blackwell, 2022).