Oral history in research practice and social education : notes on Marcin Jarząbek's "Handbook of oral history"

This article provides a critical analysis of Marcin Jarząbek's "Handbook of Oral History", examining its contribution to oral history methodology and practice. The review highlights the Handbook's approach to teaching oral history methods, from theoretical foundations to practical applications. The book successfully combines theoretical knowledge with practical guidance, making it accessible to both academic and non‑academic audiences. It covers key aspects of oral history work well, including interview preparation, interviewing, interpretation, and archiving. A particular strength of the Handbook is its detailed treatment of memory mechanisms and their implications for oral history research. While the book excels in its methodological guidance, some areas, such as its dealing with trauma‑related interviews and ethical challenges in different cultural contexts, could benefit from more detailed coverage. Nevertheless, the Handbook makes a significant contribution to the field, effectively positioning oral history at the intersection of different disciplines while maintaining its distinctive methodological identity. The review argues that this work successfully bridges the gap between academic rigour and practical application, making it an invaluable resource for oral history practitioners.