This textbook aims to equip students with the skills and mindset of a historian, emphasizing critical engagement with primary and secondary sources to foster a deeper understanding of the past. Through reading, thinking, and problem-solving, students will learn to analyze historical materials as a detective would, uncovering the mysteries of history. The approach encourages active inquiry and the development of analytical skills essential for historical study.

This textbook is structured to guide students through the process of historical inquiry, framing the study of history as an investigative endeavor akin to detective work. The pedagogical approach emphasizes active learning through reading, critical thinking, and problem-solving, with a focus on analyzing various forms of historical sources. The material suggests a curriculum designed to build foundational skills for understanding the complexities of the past.