地方志的性质是方志界争论最大的理论问题。多种观点中 ,影响较大的有“历史说”、“资料书说”、“科学文献说”、“特殊史书说”。作者指出“资料书说”和“科学文献说”有诸多不妥之处。“历史说”与“特殊史书说”虽近似 ,但“特殊史书说”更准确 ,因志书属于史书类 ,但它不是一般意义上的历史书 ,是一种特殊的史书。 The nature of local chronicles is the most controversial theoretical issue of local scholars. A variety of views, the more influential “history”, “information book said,” “scientific literature”, “special history book said.” The author points out that there are many pitfalls in “data book” and “scientific literature”. Though “history theory” and “special history book theory” are similar, “special history book theory” is more accurate. Because it belongs to history books, it is not a history book in the general sense, but a special history book.