Book excerpt: History in Practice explores the discipline's breadth, its complexities and the tasks it takes on. This study by one of the liveliest and most acute practitioners in the field demystifies what historians do. It looks at history as an academic discipline but also engages with the use of historical ideas in the wider world. Historical work has public consequences and draws considerable energy from contemporary preoccupations. For this new edition of her respected and widely used book, Ludmilla Jordanova has revised the text and added a new chapter that takes into account recent world events. She discusses the role of the internet, globalisation, world history and the current enthusiasm for military history. This book is essential reading for all students needing an understanding of history as a discipline.