The History Book Club discussion

Welcome Dennis and Grace. Also a welcome to Batgrl and Ann. Glad you could join us.

Hi everyone. My name is Jason Sharp and I am from Houston, Texas. I served in the United States Air Force during Desert Storm. I have an undergraduate degree in History and a Law degree. I am a practicing attorney.

As such, it is no great surprise that my interests are in military history, legal history and the early history of the United States. I also like books about explorers, especially Antarctic and ocean explorers. In addition, I like the history behind words and their usage.

I believe the knowledge of history brings needed perspective. Moreover, the stories of those who came before us inspire, delight and ground my everyday life. I look forward to participating in the group.

Glad you joined us, Dennis and Grace. Please take some time to browse the threads and jump right into the fray!!!! If you have any questions, just ask any of the moderators.

Welcome Dennis and Grace to the History Club on this Memorial Day weekend.

Welcome Jason. I’m glad you joined the History Club. As you know this Memorial Day weekend reflects upon those who died in service. Veteran's Day is this fall and I thank you for your great service.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the Goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post. Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how a book you might mention should look. This one is of a hero who died for our nation.

by Perry Smith (no photo of Maj. Gen. Perry Smith USAF (Ret)

Please use the “(preview)” tab to view your alignment before officially “posting”.
More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a few moments to read the orientation:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

And our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Participate and join in the fun.

Hi,

I'm a grad student in historic (architectural) preservation and I thought this group sounded interesting. I have to admit I don't have much time during the school year for fun reading, but I do enjoy the "creative nonfiction" end of history writing, such as Devil in the White City, and Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. The latter is actually a young adult book; I work as a children's librarian and I love recommending well written nonfiction to them.

Other interests: American Revolution and eighteenth century English literature/history. I wish I could come up with a thesis topic to satisfy this interest, but I worry that Georgian architecture has been studied to death. I'd love to find a feminist angle as a way to reinterpret architectural place/space, but I have to keep the program director happy.

Well, it's the summer. Now on to the real reading!

Introducing myself - I am Cindy from the USA. I have always enjoyed history, but fell in love with it when a European History professor in college taught the past from the perspective of the individual who lived it.

Welcome, Julie & Cindy. Glad you could join us.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. (There is a link on the top right of the comment box.) It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the Goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link at the very bottom of the post after your text. Because it is on the bottom, it calls the reader's attention to the book/author and increases the readability of your posts.

This is how the books you've mentioned should look:

by Erik Larson

by Steve Sheinkin

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a few moments to read the orientation:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

And our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask us moderators. I look forward to your postings.

Kathy you jumped right in and terrific. That is the ticket.

Welcome Julie and Cindy to the History Club. Have fun.

Batgrl, Ann, Denis, Grace, Jason, Jule, and Cindy, welcome to the group.

Jason, Jule, and Cindy....a warm welcome to you all. Please browse the threads and find those areas which are of interest to you. Join in the discussions/book recommendations and enjoy!!

Hi. I don't know what to say but how about this. I live in los angeles and was never a history buff or a big non fiction reader but the two years I've found myself reading more and more and increasingly most of the books I want read are nonfiction or classics. It all started with The Landmark Herodotus. Then I moved through the whole landmark series and now I'm reading a lot of US history. I've been busy lately but I am keeping to date with the Woodrow Wilson reading guess I'll go over there and post something now.

Michael, welcome and we hope you enjoy your time here. This is how the book you mentioned should be cited.

by Herodotus

Glad that you are involved with the Woodrow Wilson book which you also should have cited (smile) and we are delighted that you are involved with that discussion already.

by John Milton Cooper Jr.

Hello, I'm Chantal. I'm simply a lover of history and of biographies. I like to know how people thought, what they felt and what motivates them. A typical American, my favorite time in history has always been American Revolution to Civil War. Lately, I’ve been very interested in Spanish history as I prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago. I also adore travel literature. That's all I've got!

Welcome Chantal and we love history too so you have come to the right spot.

When do you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago - good journey.

We are glad to have you here.

Regards,

Bentley

Welcome to the club, Chantal and Michael.

Glad you found us Michael and Chantal.......it is the place for all things history. If you have any questions, ask any of the moderators.

Welcome Chantal to the History Club. I'm glad you joined.

Welcome Lakshmi. I’m glad you joined the History Club.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the Goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post. Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how books you mention should look:

by Patrick French

Please use the “(preview)” tab to view your alignment before officially “posting”.
More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a few moments to read the orientation:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

And our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Participate and join in the fun.

So glad you joined us Lakshmi....what a great introduction!! Take some time to browse the threads and please join in the discussions/book recommendations. I look forward to your participation.

I really thought I had introduced myself, but I received a (second) reminder to do so, so there must have been a glitch somewhere...

I’m Isabelle. I (almost) have a major in history from Concordia University in Montreal. I did it just for fun, because I love hostory so much. I’ve always been an avid reader of historical fiction, and Concordia allowed me to read some “real” history books, do research in primary sources, and distingusih between badly written and well written texts.

I am still a big fan of historical fiction, although I’ve become much harder to please.

Aside from my passion for history, I run almost every day, I love cooking (I’m vegan) and I am a mother of two, living happily in Québec, Canada. My first language is French, and I’m a professional translator.

Did I do this OK?

Hi I am Glenda. Reading is my very favorite thing to do and I love nonfiction. I have not read a lot of history yet but I want to start.

Welcome Gaby and Glenda, we are glad to have you as a member.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post . Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how books you mention should look:

by Jeffrey Toobin

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a moment to read our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

and the orientation to get you started:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Thanks and glad you joined us.

Hello! I live in Washington, DC. I found GoodReads pretty recently, but reading has been my favorite thing to do my whole life. Now that I've gotten all of my books entered in, I have a goal to read more non-fiction and history is the area that most interests me. I am glad to see that historical fiction is included in this group also, of course. I am looking forward to participating in the Middle East challenge. Thanks to all the volunteers for the warm welcomes and helpful information.

Welcome, Cathy, we are glad you found us and hope you enjoy your experience here.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post . Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how books you mention should look:

by Jeffrey Toobin

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a moment to read our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

and the orientation to get you started:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Thanks and glad you joined us.

Michael, Chantal, Lakshmi, Gaby, Glenda, and Cathy, welcome to the group.

Lakshmi, Gaby, Glenda, and Cathy, welcome to The History Book Club. I hope you enjoy it here as much as I have.

A warm welcome, Gaby, Glenda, and Cathy. This is the place for the history lover. Please take some time to browse the threads and join right in. If you have questions, ask any of the moderators.

Hi, I'm Danna.
I love to learn about history and read about historical fiction. My favorite period is Ancient Egypt and Prehistory, and I like reading books about these subjects.

Christopher wrote: "Welcome to the group Danna. We have a ton of discussions on Ancient History so please feel free to look around and jump in.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the..."

It all sounds really great! Thank you.

Welcome to the group, Danna.

So glad you joined us, Danna. There is so much to see here. If you have any questions, ask any of the moderators.

Hello all, sorry for the late introduction. I'm Rob a Canadian originally, but I do consider myself a bit of a world nomad. I've always had a perverse interest in history. In fact the first book I ever read, beyond the usual hungry caterpillars and paperbag princesses was the Illiad. One of my favourite novel series is the arthurian saga written by Bernard Cornwell. I'm constantly reading every day, and I joined this group to expand my circle, find new authors, and recommendations.

Hi everyone, my name's Matthew Sweeney and I'm a current postgraduate medieval history student. My particular interests lie within the study of medieval/renaissance Italy, with my current research looking to sex crimes and sodomy in Renaissance Italian city-states. I have a keen passion for social history, and I look forward to sharing ideas and interesting books with other members. Thanks for having me, here are just a few books that I've looked at closely throughout my research that might be of interest.

Forbidden Friendships: Homosexuality and Male Culture in Renaissance Florence

The Boundaries of Eros: Sex Crime and Sexuality in Renaissance Venice

Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others

OK Matthew - welcome. I am not sure but I think your interests in the study of medieval/renaissance Italy are ones that many folks share.

But having said that - your choice of research maybe not so much.

I don't think that I would be adding those three books to my to read list any time soon but who knows what other folks might be interested in. We are a public group and open to folks who are under 18 just as an FYI. So we try to be circumspect with these topics and I hope you do not branch out beyond what you mentioned above. Our threads are not that enlightened.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post . Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how books you mention should look:

by Michael Rocke (no photo)

by Guido Ruggiero (no photo)

by Ruth Mazo Karras

We will not be having any discussion of these or like minded books here but if you are keen on social history - we do have discussions in that area.

Likewise, please make sure to follow our rules and guidelines and read our orientation:

Here is a thread which will help you out with our citations. it is called Mechanics of the Board:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Rules and Guidelines:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Orientation:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Your research got you off to an interesting start but we do hope you enjoy some of our threads and get involved with some of the discussions.

Regards,

Bentley

Sorry, I'm not entirely sure how to interpret your comment. Is this group not a platform for keen historians and lay readers? I hardly think the suggestion of 3 books such as these are in need of censorship for users under the age of 18. These are serious books by academic historians.

Hello Robert and Welcome to the History Book Club. We are a global group and we have a lot of Canadians in the group.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post . Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post. This is how books you mention should look:

by Homer

by Hephaestus Books (no photo)


Likewise, please make sure to follow our rules and guidelines and read our orientation:

Here is a thread which will help you out with our citations. it is called Mechanics of the Board:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Rules and Guidelines:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Orientation:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Please let us know if you need any assistance.

Bentley

Matthew wrote: "Sorry, I'm not entirely sure how to interpret your comment. Is this group not a platform for keen historians and lay readers? I hardly think the suggestion of 3 books such as these are in need of c..."

Some parents may agree and some may not agree. And we listed them but we will most likely not be discussing them was the point I wanted to make.

In the pop out window we do also refer to the Goodreads User Content guidelines and we are not a private group any longer that prohibits folks under the age of 18 from joining. Having said that under 18 can refer to many different age groups and we take that seriously.

Of course, this is a group for serious minded readers and those keen on discussions of history but I do not want to mislead you that I will be setting up threads any time soon on these topics. Your research is very important and I value your sharing it with us. But we just do not discuss the topic of those books "in depth" here. But as I said before we do discuss social history and had an in depth discussion of the late Jacques Barzun's From Dawn to Decadence.

by Jacques Barzun

On the welcome thread we have never had this sort of situation come up before frankly. But I wanted to be up front with you about the rules and guidelines and our under 18 age group members. I hope you understand my honesty with you.

I would be happy to discuss this with you further via PM - this is not the forum for this and is simply a welcome and introduction thread.

Welcome to Danna, Robert, and Matthew. Robert I too enjoy the Arthurian Series by Bernard Cornwell. Be sure to cite authors and books in your threads so that we can all link and see what you are referring to. Thanks again. This is a great group and I hope you enjoy the discussions.

, , and by Bernard Cornwell

Thank you Kathy for finding other bookcovers for the Warlord Chronicles.

Bentley wrote: "This is a thread where you can introduce yourself to the group. This is one of our rules and guidelines.

Please introduce yourself here so we can welcome you. Tell us a little bit about yoursel..."

Hi. Thanks for the welcome. I am a history addict, because like the mayor of my adopted hometown Grand Rapids, Michigan said...we make more of it every day.

Bentley wrote: "Thank you Kathy for finding other bookcovers for the Warlord Chronicles."

This one was like a treasure hunt. Don't know why I had such a hard time finding them.

And Rod if you haven't been welcomed -- welcome aboard.

Welcome Dana, Matthew, and Rod. There is a lot to see and do here so please take time to browse the threads and join right in. If you have any questions, please ask any of the moderators.

Hello Mandy - how are you. We have rules and guidelines that are very strict regarding authors and writers related to self promotion and spam.

Here is your post reposted minus those areas:

Hello Everyone!
My name is Mandy.....and college student. My first degree is in Journalism and English, and I'm two semesters into a second B.A. in History and Art History. I live in Ohio with my husband and our cats. My favorite historical topics range wildly from the European Renaissance to Ancient Egypt, with some American History thrown into the mix.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. When citing a book and/or author, please put the book cover, author's photo and author's link after all of the text of your post at the bottom of the post . Placement at the bottom of the post calls the reader's attention to the book and/or author and increases the readability of your post.

Here is a sample citation:

by Homer

Likewise, please make sure to follow our rules and guidelines and read our orientation:

Here is a thread which will help you out with our citations. it is called Mechanics of the Board:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Rules and Guidelines:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

Orientation:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Please let us know if you need any assistance.

Bentley

Hi everyone! How are you all?

I just recently joined the group - my name is Katherine Zavala. I'm Peruvian, although more than Peruvian, I consider myself a traditional World Citizen, as I've lived in 9 countries. Right now, the longest place I lived has been San Francisco, where I currently am. I love this city!

I love to read books and especially learn about history through books, whether through historical fiction or non-fiction. I feel history gives us so much information and learnings to develop our understanding of the global context. It's an opportunity to learn about different cultures and places where I can't get to at the moment. I particularly am interested in histories of Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Africa. I know very broad!

I'm hoping this group will stimulate to read a lot of the history books on my shelf. I love all genres, but I do need incentives to know what book to read next.

Looking forward to it!

Hello Katherine....loved your introduction. Welcome to our truly international book club. I look forward to your participation......most of all, enjoy!!!

Hi everyone, my name is Jeanie from Canada. Very happy to have found this group with fellow readers who love history.

I started reading Chinese history, and now have migrated towards European history. My current interest is in Roman and medieval history, but always open to reading any period in time. Looking forward to the discussions with everyone.

I was gently nudged via message to introduce myself. Or was it gentle? It must have been gentle; it said so right in the message.


Hi! I'm Heather. I'm a single mother of an almost 5 year old in Georgia, USA. Basically my favorite things in the world are running, motherhood, and reading - especially nonfiction.

The history-related books I have read in the last couple months are The Coming of the Third Reich (the first in the Third Reich trilogy) and Lyndon B. Johnson: Portrait of a President.
I very much enjoy biographies, cultural history, and the history of every day objects we do not think much about. Wartime history (battles etc) is not my forte.

I think I covered it.