Dark Traces of the Past

<p> The relationship between historical studies and psychoanalysis remains an open debate that is full of tension in both a positive and a negative sense. In particular the following question has not been answered satisfactorily: what distinguishes a psychoanalytically oriented study of historical realities from a historical psychoanalysis? Skepticism and fear of collaboration dominate on both sides. Initiating a productive dialogue between historical studies and psychoanalysis seems to be plagued by ignorance and at times a sense of helplessness. Interdisciplinary collaborations are rare. Empirical research formulation of theory and the development of methods are essentially carried out within the conventional disciplinary boundaries. This volume undertakes to overcome these limitations by combining psychoanalytical and historical perspectives and thus exploring the underlying unconscious dimensions and by informing academic and nonacademic forms of historical memory. Moreover it puts special emphasis on transgenerational forms of remembrance on the notion of trauma as a key concept in this field and on case studies that point the way to further research.</p>