The History Book Club discussion

Hello Everyone I'm Dave & I live in Birmingham, UK & I'm a self employed computer network engineer who specializes in home media set ups which is like integrated someone's home theatre etc with their home computer network. I do have to read a lot in connection with my job & I do really enjoy reading in general. I do have several blogs and some of the later posts I've copied and posted on this site. History wise I'm most interested in World War 2 & The Vietnam War. I do read quite a lot on history and think practically any aspect of history is interested. I'll tell you one thing that I read and thought was really moving. It was Dunkirk in WW2 when the english and germans captured someone they had an unofficial policy that if the enemy soldier surrendered without firing a shot they would generally take them prisoner. However if they fired at them usually they would kill that person. At Dunkirk those allied soldiers could have surrendered and they would have been captured but allowed but of course the allied troops would have been over run and the outcome of the war would have been different. Those soldiers knew they were going to die but gave their lives so other troops could get away. I'm sure simillar things have happened in other conflicts but I do think that's amazing. Incidently I have noted this groups recommendations & I have purchased them in ebook form so look forward to reading them & giving my opinions. Finally if anyone wants to send me a friend's request I will accept it.
All the best
Dave Roberts.

Hi! I found this group looking for discussions of "What Hath Gd Wrought," which I am currently in the middle of. I have purchased The Metaphysical Club and intend to join the discussion of it next month.

I have been a practicing attorney in a law firm for the past 14 years. I recently decided that I was ready for a change, closed my law practice, and am currently pursuing a teaching certificate so I can begin teaching high school this fall.

This has left me more time to read, allowing me to finish faster, as I am a slow reader who is always reading multiple books from different genres at the same time, and didn't have a lot of time to read after working 12 hour days, so it could take me months to finish a book. Aside from the history of Jacksonian America, I am currently reading a novel (Secret History) other book club novels, and three collections of short writings (best Nonrequired Reading, Best American Short Stories of the Year and Best Science Fiction/ Fantasy of the Year)

Welcome Kyle David and Matthew. Glad to see you on the Introduction thread with the rest of us history lovers! Matthew, please note the book citation guideline in the paragraph below which are to be used when mentioning a book.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. It also 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:

by Daniel Walker Howe (no photo)

Please take a moment to skim over the information available below

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

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

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

If you have any questions, that's what us moderators are here for. We look forward to your contributions.

Mathew...the book that you mentioned should look like this as noted in the guidelines:
byDaniel Walker Howe (no photo)
by Louis Menand

I used to hate history until I took some humanities courses at Milligan College in Tennessee. What made those classes different was that they combined standard political history with the history of philosophy, art, and science. Putting all those pieces together made it much more enjoyable, and educational. They also structured the humanities course so that the papers you wrote for it gained you credit in English, which makes a lot of sense to me as well. No more trying to come up with a "what I did over the summer" topic. This is one reason I'm a big fan of The Story of Civilization by the Durants, and any broad-spectrum approach to a particular period.

Hi,

I'm so glad I found this group! I have always liked history but when I was young I thought it was about the events & now that I'm older I realize it's about the people & I love it.

I love the stories, the main events, the main characters, all the supporting characters & little coincidences that seem to support historical events.

I live in CA, I just finished 13 months of chemo & trying to get back on my feet.

Thanks for including me,

Suzanne

Hi! I'm Paul Levinson, Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York City, where I teach about the history and future of media. I have six novels published - all science fiction, three of which have large sections that take place in the ancient or early modern (750 AD) world - and nine nonfiction books, many of which deal with the history of media.

My favorite history books are two by William MacNeill - Plagues and Peoples and The Pursuit of Power - but I've read and loved dozens of history books, and I'm always up for reading something new. History is far and away my favorite kind of nonfiction (even though there's no such thing as history without some embellishment).

Welcome Jim and Suzanne to our truly international book club. Hang in there Suzanne!!! Jim, please note our citation guidelines in the paragraph following when mentioning a book.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. It also 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:

by Will Durant and Ariel Durant (no photo)

Please take a moment to skim over the information available below

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

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

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

If you have any questions, that's what us moderators are here for. We look forward to your contributions.

Hello everyone,
I'm honored to become part of this club.
My name is Nader and I come from Cairo, Egypt.
I'm 37 years old engineer by profession, but love reading especially on history.
My history readings are more concentrated on Middle Eastern history, history of philosophy is another domain that I like to read about and Middle Ages are very interesting to me.

Hi, my name is Àngel. I am catalan and live now in London.

History is close to my heart as it explains the present and anticipates the future.

I hope to get good ideas from this group.

Best

À.

I am currently reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory (a World Book Night Book for this year). I gave copies of The Island by Victoria Hislop. I am enjoying The White Queen more than The Other Boleyn Girl. I want to finish reading it before the TV dramatization next month.

So glad you joined us Nader, Angel and Catharine.....we are a truly international book club. Catherine, please note the following paragraph which provides the guidelines when mentioning a book. I will use the ones you mentioned in the example.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. It makes things much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. It also 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:

& by Philippa Gregory
by Victoria Hislop



Please take a moment to skim over the information available below

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

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

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

If you have any questions, just ask any of the moderators.. We look forward to your contributions.

Hello everyone! My name is Melanie and I am finally able to get on this site and be a useful member! I have spent the last 2 years earning my master's in ancient history and JUST finished! I'm in the United States and LOVE LOVE LOVE history. My area is ancient civilizations and mythology from all cultures. My specific area is archaic Sparta.

Hello, all. I'm Peter H. Michael of Maryland, USA. My most recent writing finally got around to the interesting histories of the two sides of my family. My latest, Remembering John Hanson: A Biography of the First President of the Original United States Government, is a biography of my mother's most famous ancestor, and the immediate previous two books are on the Underground Railroad and my father's family's involvement in it. I have eclectic reading tastes which involve a good bit of history and biography. I'm now thinking of a book involving interviews of 100 Americans in widely varying walks of life gathered by a long road trip around the United States. Wish me luck.

Peter H. Michael

Hi Melanie, Peter, all the other newbies, welcome to the group.

For this 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 the book you mentioned should look:

by Richard Holbrooke

More information can be found here:

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...

Apart from all the fascinating discussions on history we also have quite a few fine threads on music - all kinds from all places.
Come and take a look/listen if you like.

If you have any questions feel free to ask any of the moderators.
Best wishes,

André

I was never terribly interested in history until it became personal; I began delving into genealogy after my parents died, and it made the history so much more real to me. I love TV shows like Who Do You Think You Are and History Detectives, because they show the very human side of history.

My apologies for taking so long about introducing myself that Bentley was forced to contact me! Anyway, my name is Edoardo Albert. I don't think I've yet found a historical era which isn't fascinating, but my particular interest is the Early Medieval Period in Britain, particularly as it relates to the kingdom of Northumbria.

Hello, I'm a solopreneur (career services) from the US (Charleston, South Carolina). I enjoy reading social / cultural history and historical fiction, with a focus on the US and Central / Eastern Europe (19th, 20th, and 21st centuries). I wouldn't mind getting out of my comfort zone, though.

I am John L. Hasha. My interests are Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt; Medieval England; American Colonial; American Civil War. I have medieval, colonial, and Confederate ancestors. My book collection covers history, religion(Catholic), music, Encyclopedia Britannica, travel, library science, and genealogy. I have been researching my family since 1971.

Hello Everyone! My name is Greg and I am recent member of the group. My primary interests in history are WW1, and the years preceding it, as well as US presidential biographies. I have always been a fan of history but since reading The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Team of Rivals I have gained a greater appreciation for history. One of my goals is to now read at least one biography of every US president. The next biography I plan to read is John Adams by David McCullough.

I also have a keen interest in WW2 and more recent events such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This group seems like an excellent place to connect with other history buffs and receive recommendations for topics I may not have considered reading.

Welcome Melissa, Edoardo, Mary, John and Greg. You are joining an avid group of history lovers.
Greg, please refer to the paragraph following which provides guidelines for book citations. I will use the books you mention as examples.


For this 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 the book you mentioned should look:

by Edmund Morris
by Doris Kearns Goodwin
by David McCullough



More information can be found here:

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......

Please join in the book discussions/recommendations......and enjoy!

First of all, thanks to everyone who have posted in the past day. You have questions, just ask one of moderators.

Welcome, Melissa, Edoardo, Mary, John, and Craig. Glad you found us and jump right in.

Greetings Ryan from Canada. Your intro caught my eye because I'm a fanatic for Roman history and fiction set in ancient Rome. I'm currently moderating a discussion of The October Horse - we're just about done. It's the sixth in a seven part look at the fall of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Empire. Other great fiction is the Gordianus series by Steven Saylor and the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts. And so many more.

by Colleen McCullough
by Steven Saylor
by John Maddox Roberts

Welcome Ryan and William. The Reagans were unique people, very interesting.

Hi everyone, Steve here from Melbourne Australia these days, Sussex, England originally and Estepona Spain this week! I'm a big history reader, mainly British history, from most periods but often focused on the 18th century:)

Hi, I'm Alex. I've just joined. I currently work in IT but completed a Politics degree three years ago. Reading is my passion, i always have to have a couple of books on the go. Most of what I read could be classed as history, i love political history and military history from all periods in time. I have read a lot about the Second World War and am now branching forwards and backwards in time. I generally focus on history where there has been British involvement but i want to read more history from other countries perspectives. I'm always keen for a good discussion so I'm looking forward to joining in!

Hi my name is Kim and I have been interested in history since I can be remember. I was born and grew up in NJ so I was surrounded by revolutionary war history, but I think my first love was the American Civil War. I am also interested in European history, especially the period surrounding WWI, one of my favorite authors being Barbara Tuchman. I also like to read a good biography.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Chanel Reid and I live here in the United States. I currently live in Georgia. I love history because we have to study the past in order to understand our future. A lot of the problems today can be solved by looking a problems from the past. I joined the group to discover books about the past and to communicate with others that like history as well.

Hello, just wanted to introduce myself to the group.
I've recently been reading a lot in early American history, especially in relation to the Adams family. (I have a particular interest in eminent families.) The following are some of my recent reads -- I look forward to connecting with others who enjoy the study of history!
All best,
Rob

My name is Richard Brockbank. I live in Hertfordshire in England. History was one of my favourite subjects at school, where I studied Roman Britain and US History for A Level. I lost the habit of reading for many years, to my regret, as surfing the web and life's less scholarly pleasures took over. I'd like to get back into history, because I want to feel a deep understanding of the world. I'm currently reading (and taking notes on) An Illustrated History Of England and have taken a break from The New Penguin History of The World.

My name is Josh and I live in Florida. I just graduated with my History B.A. from Florida Atlantic. I am currently a volunteer tour guide at a historical site and a freelance history lecturer, and intend to have a history-related career.

I am a lifelong non-fiction reader. My main interests are military and political history, particularly the American Civil War.

Hi, I'm Ellie, from Gloucester, UK. Always been interested in Roman History, and since moving to Gloucester 12 years ago, I've had an ever-growing interest in the medieval era too. Gloucester has such a rich history, from being one of 4 Roman Colonia in the UK, through hosting Parliament in 1378, the Reformation, and the Civil War.

I've just finished reading Ian Mortimer's Time Travellers Guide to Elizabethan England, and now with Professor Mary Beard's Pompeii, ahead of a trip to the British Museum for an exhibition on Pompeii and Herculaneum this week

Hello ! Originally from UK now living in Alaska. Have always had an interest in history, but this group offers such wide choices that there is something for everyone.

Hi all,

My name is Juan Carlos Villamil, and I am from Bogota, Colombia. I'll read just about everything I can get my hands on, except self-help books.

I am an engineer with a minor in History of the Soviet Union, and I love reading history books. My favorite subjects are: Napoleon, history of China, WW2, latin american history, and general european history.

Glad to be a member.

Hi, my name is Lorna. I am from Colorado and having just recently retired from the legal profession, I am hoping to have more time to read and participate in the History Book club. I am interested in world history particularly European and both North and South American history. There are many books on the History Bookshelves that are in my library, including the McCullough Masters of Rome series, which I am anxious to read. I also enjoy biographies of historical figures with David McCullough and Jon Meacham among my favorite authors. Thank you all!

Hi! I'm Theresa.

I'm 27 and from California. I am pretty timid and don't tend to speak up much in discussion threads (at least at first) but I am always looking for new book suggestions or ideas; and I enjoy hearing what others think about books I have read or would like to read.

I would say I have fairly broad interests when it comes to history- my dad is an enormous history buff and I guess a little has rubbed off on me.

I also tend to have a lot of questions about what would be best to read on a certain topic (as I switch to and from different ones all the time) and I was thinking that maybe this would be a good starting point to guide me in the right direction when I start to get interested in something I don't know much about. ...if that makes sense.

Hello everyone, how are you? I'm Hunter S. Jones from Atlanta, Georgia via Nashville, Tennessee. My love of history runs deep as my family has been in our part of Tennessee since it was the Cherokee Nation. My grandfather's great-grandfather went west on the Trail of Tears with the Cherokees, with our part of the family staying in Tennessee. I have a History Degree from one of the private universities in Nashville, where I studied American & European History with an emphasis on Tudor England. I look forward to learning more about each of you & finding out more about your love of history!

Hey, I'm Brianna. I enjoy reading mostly about English and American history especially about the British Monarchy and about the Kennedy family. I also enjoy reading about my favorite musicians and others in the entertainment business.

Hello everyone!

My name is Maitrey and I'm from Bangalore, India.

I'm still studying engineering, but I've a great passion in reading history. I especially enjoy early medieval and ancient history, from all over the globe. I've also recently developed an interest in cultural history, especially if they focus on literature and mythology (and cuisine!). I also like books that have a grand, sweeping narrative which focus on large areas for many centuries.

I hope to participate and interact with people all over the world in HBC.

Cheers!

Hello.
My name is Sean, I come from Stoke-on-Trent, England, and today is my birthday. So if anybody could recommend any groovy books on history that would be much appreciated.

I have always LOVED History, and believe strongly that the best way forward is by having an understanding of what went before. I am present using The Oxford History of England as my base, reading up on English History, so I've spent the past year reading around the events of 1066(you really couldn't make this story up). So howdy.

Sean
Newcastle-under-Lyme(est 1173)

Hi Sean and all the other newbies, welcome to the group.

For this 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 the book you mentioned should look:


by Richard Holbrooke


More information can be found here:

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...

Apart from all the fascinating discussions on history we also have quite a few fine threads on music - all kinds from all places.
Come and take a look/listen if you like.

If you have any questions feel free to ask any of the moderators.
Best wishes,

André

Hi! My name is Niki. I joined this group to learn and expand my knowledge rather than to contribute since I'd consider myself a novice. I just find history (and books, but thats a different chapter all together) incredibly interesting and this seems like the perfect outlet! The only thing I can truly say is that I'm an absolute sucker for mind-blowing and cryptic quotes and I'm waiting for "the hour of profound human change".

Dear All;
I'm Emre, 30 years old man from Turkey. I'm an aerospace engineer who loves hardcore science fiction (founder of the science fiction club of my university). Stanislaw Lem and Frank Herbert are my favorite writers. History of Science and Technology and philosophy of science are my favorite non-fiction topics. I try to read great deal amount of books on those areas. Recently I'm interested in medieval Europe and middle east history. Relationship between Ottoman Empire and European powers. I also like to read about first age history from Sumerians to Roman Empire.

Hi all,

A rather belated introduction to the group. I'm a London-based journalist with a strong interest in history. I studied Arab/Islamic history in Australia many years ago, but also maintain a strong interest in military and political history, particularly from the 20th century. I also enjoy reading the odd bit of travel and humour - great ways to open horizons.

Best

Charles

well i just read posts sorry for not typing so i'm saying hi back to the shadows i go

Hi, my name is Renata, I'm from Brazil and I teach history. I'm doing a research about the Portuguese Inquisition, but my true love is British history, especially the War of the Roses and Tudor period. I don't comment here but I thought it was a nice idea to introduce myself and maybe find some others who share my interests.
(PS: sorry for my poor english!)

Hi, my name is Richelle and I am an avid lover of history, focusing on WWII, the French Revolution, Tudor England, and the JFK assassination. I also enjoy learning about the sociological background of major historical events, as well as how religion has affected the course of history throughout the ages. Some of my favorite historical personages include Harry Truman, Peter the Great, and Anne Boleyn. By day, I am a paralegal and by night I am a terrible bookworm! I look forward to participating in this group and can't wait for recommendations!

Hi everyone, my name is Christine and I'm from Sydney, Australia. I love reading about history, especially books on politics and the military. Actually anything, really. I am excited to be part of this group!

Hi! My name is Kyra Cornelius Kramer and I am an author of a non-fiction book on Henry VIII. (I have an author page on goodreads if you want to look up the information). I joined this group because I like history and it seemed like an interesting feed. In the interest of fairness, I want to report that I have Asperger's syndrome, so if I say or do anything "rude" the odds are good I used the wrong word choices because I really don't understand subtext or that debates can be construed as attacks. Please let me know if I do this in any thread and I will apologize promptly. Unless I really meant to be a jerk. In that case I will probably double-down because I am in a huff. However, huffs are rare so I don't see it being a problem.

Nice to meet you all!

Hello, everyone. My name is Mark, and I'm a teacher living in Arizona. I'm a voracious reader and history is my favorite subject; currently I'm nearly finished with (I've already posted my review of it) and I just started for one of my reading groups. There are some interesting books bring read by the group, but I'm holding off on participating until I see a can't-pass title that would jump to the top of my (long) TBR list.