Book Notes

The book notes discuss John Sanders' article, "Pity the poor independent scholar! "The Lament of a Latecomer Historian, published in the Transactions of the RHS (2024). The article highlights the challenges independent scholars face in the UK and Australia, particularly in accessing digital resources and getting their work published in peer-reviewed journals. Sanders points out that university libraries' shift to digital holdings limits access to current staff and students, leaving independent scholars disadvantaged. He also addresses the difficulties in the publication process, including finding suitable journals and navigating submission protocols. Despite these challenges, Sanders praises the support from journal editors and the peer-review system. He calls for policy changes to make academic resources more accessible and suggests simplifying submission protocols to encourage diverse contributions. The article underscores the significant contributions of non-affiliated historians and advocates for a more inclusive scholarly community.