Show history of a file?

You can use git log to display the diffs while searching:

git log -p -- path/to/file

git log -p will generate the a patch (the diff) for every commit selected. For a single file, use git log --follow -p $file.

If you're looking for a particular change, use git bisect to find the change in log(n) views by splitting the number of commits in half until you find where what you're looking for changed.

Also consider looking back in history using git blame to follow changes to the line in question if you know what that is. This command shows the most recent revision to affect a certain line. You may have to go back a few versions to find the first change where something was introduced if somebody has tweaked it over time, but that could give you a good start.

Finally, gitk as a GUI does show me the patch immediately for any commit I click on.

Example :

Have you tried this:

gitk path/to/file