Summary

In recent years, there has been a convergence of interest on narratives and lives from many qualitative and interpretative strands in the social sciences that encompass sociology and anthropology, health and nursing studies, educational research, cultural and communication analysis, cultural geography and the emergent fields of discourse and narrative analyses. In some contexts this is interpreted somewhat narrowly but these comprehensive volumes will adopt a more inclusive approach to reflect the current diversity of perspectives across the different social sciences. Here the broad term ′narrative′ includes personal narratives, life histories, performances, testimonials and memories.

This timely compilation:

(a) demonstrate the deeply rooted nature of this approach across the social sciences;

(b) reveal the contested nature of the narrative turn;

(c) emphasise the methodological strengths and weakness associated with the collection and analysis of narrative, life story and performance;

(d) break down the barriers between the disciplines in their uses of such material.