In neighborhoods, schools, community centers, and workplaces, people are using oral history to capture and collect the kinds of stories that the history books and the media tend to overlook: stories of personal struggle and hope, of war and peace, of family and friends, of beliefs, traditions, and values—the stories of our lives. Catching Stories: A Practical Guide to Oral History is a clear and comprehensive introduction for those with little or no experience in planning or implementing oral history projects. Opening with the key question, “Why do oral history?” the guide outlines the stages of a project from idea to final product—the interviewing process, basic technical principles, and audio and video recording techniques.
