The History Book Club discussion

Thank you

Pete, that is not what we are about at the HBC - we have on line discussions of books so that folks can join in any time that they have time - 24 x7. Your offer to organize it could be self promotion so please be careful. Our group members are assured that we will not be spamming them and protecting their privacy. We have deleted the post because it is outside the scope of what we do and how goodreads does it. This is not a zoom site. Not that there is anything wrong with that but we all like our privacy and freedom to discuss the book 24 x7 whenever we want.

For others who are new:

First of all, please read our rules and guidelines.

Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Secondly, please introduce yourself on the introduction thread which is the first thing a new member must do. Please keep it brief - your name or your avatar name, and why history and the group interest you.

Here is the link (this is not optional) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Third, all of the folders aside from spotlighted book discussions, BOTM, Buddy Reads, 50 Books and Free Reads are in alphabetical order. Since everything is alphabetized - folders are extremely easy to find.

Fourth, here are some of the Group's Focus Areas (not all of them but a good initial start): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Fifth, if you have any questions about where anything is - simply ask on the Ask a Moderator thread. I will provide the link.
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Lastly, if you are brand new and haven't followed our rules and guidelines nor made any contributions whatsoever - I would suggest to new members that you always do that first before trying to change things. Our standards, guidelines and set up work well and have done so for a long time.

When you do the above, also provide first a brief intro, a moderator will provide you with some additional links to allow your journey to get off to a good start.

BTW, this group has the most active group of moderators you will find on goodreads - anywhere!

Our discussions are very detailed, scholarly, and we drill deep on each and every book. And we are all volunteers who provide this service for free; because we love books and we love our members. Most members are very appreciative of all that we do for the love of books. We are all busy professionals.

There is a limitation to what the goodreads software allows us to do with organizing threads and folders; so there is a limited hierarchical structure because of software limitations which the group has no control of. For example we can move around folders - up or down - and we have alphabetized the folders themselves.

But we cannot alphabetize and set an order for the threads in any of the folders. We can apply a sticky type alignment of threads that we want to have at the top of the folder; but then the alignment changes for threads as they have new posts.

We do try to move them around again to make it easier for folks in our discussions to find the appropriate weekly thread but it takes a lot of time and effort to do that.

We have asked for that added functionality for over a decade but it is not a high priority so we have to organize as we can. The main body of the group site at the very least has all of the folders alphabetized. That is really the most that we can do with hierarchical structure.

Having said that - I have looked at other web set ups and I find that goodreads is the best of the lot.

Also we are not goodreads employees; we are volunteers. Please remember, that we do not allow any unpleasantness here and we expect civility and respect - "always" and we have zero spam, nor do we allow marketing and/or self promotion. Bentley is the group founder and leader.

So please enjoy yourself and be a contributor.

James wrote: "Where’s the list referred in the thread at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ?"

James, we want eventually to cross reference completed book discussions with links in one spot. We have a lot of plans - but we are all volunteers and not goodreads employees so things take time and we have big queues. If you check the list at the bottom of the main page for the HBC - here the book list indicates in which folder a completed discussion is housed. That should be helpful to you in the short term.

Michele wrote: "Suggestion for a spotlight or book of the month read:

by Garrett M. Graff"

Michele, this was a good suggestion and if you would like to lead a buddy or a free read on this or any other book - please let me know. 9/11 is such a sad and personal topic for many folks who are from or are living in the metro NYC area including yours truly that it is painful to discuss as a spotlighted book with universal appeal. It was one of the most tragic days in America's history.

Leslie wrote: "I would love a Challenge pertaining to Indian (native peoples) history - but internationally, not just USA. This is a topic near and dear to my heart.

I can never find the spot to do this, but I h..."

Leslie, we will be planning a book on Native Americans. In fact, it is now scheduled. And it is not just about Indians or Native Americans in the USA - we will be doing 1491 which encompasses the history of North America as well as Central and South America and the various peoples of these areas.

by Charles C. Mann

I am going to update this suggestion thread with a listing of what has happened to these suggestions.

I will then delete any old suggestions that were addressed at the time and/or responded to already.

Many times we have addressed these suggestions already somewhere else on the group site or we decided that we could not cover the additional thread or suggested book.

We always ask the folks who are interested in specific new threads to simply become the thought leaders for that thread which does not take a lot of time at all; but provides a venue for your interests and yet helps all of the existing moderators who are all volunteers and have limited time - AND who are already busy addressing other existing specific interest areas.

When suggesting additional threads of interest, simply be prepared to be the thought leader and we will gladly support your interest. We will guide you every step of the way.

Remember this is a suggestion thread and not an ask a mod a question thread nor is this the thread if you are seeking information or an explanation on an existing thread or topic.

Here is the link to the Ask a Mod thread:

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Post Two: Bentley proposed a Current Events thread and asked for Input. Input given by Virginia. Current Event thread is set up and functional.
Link to the Current Events Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Post Five: Manuela suggested Medieval History segment and Modern History. We have various folders and threads already dedicated to various timelines in World and US History. And we set up an entire folder dedicated to Medieval History.
Link to Medieval History folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Note: We are looking for some folks who are interested in Medieval History who would like to become thought leaders to keep up and add to these threads.

Post Eight: Suggestion from Vince about biographies and the industrial age.
Response: We have read many histories which have been group discussions which focus on the biography genre as well as the industrial age. For the group to set up additional focus niche areas - we simply ask that you become a thought leader and help out with just those threads which does not take a great deal of time at all. Even though these suggestions were made for additional threads which mean additional upkeep by the moderators - the suggesting buddies did not offer to become "thought leaders" for that expansion. Here is what we posted: Are either of you interested in making the commitment to moderate a biography section on let us same former industrialists, leaders in the industry sector like a Ford or a Rockefeller. We do have some guidelines that all moderators must follow and I would be happy to discuss these with you if you are willing to make the commitment or would you be interested in becoming thought leaders for some of those specific threads which would not take too much time at all. Neither Patrick nor Vince stepped up to assist.

Deleted conversational back and forth on posts and PMs - to help clean up thread

Post Eleven: Aussie Rick suggested a folder or threads on discovery or great explorers
Response: The HBC developed three wonderful folders of threads which dealt with Exploration, etc.; Travel, etc., as well as Sports which included elements of discovery and adventure. We also came up with some threads on Pirates which was an exciting add. But as we add more threads and folders - that means more upkeep - so we are looking for members who might be interested in becoming thought leaders for these various threads and/or folders. Multiple members can help out in the same topical areas.
Link to EXPLORE-INVENT-PIONEERS-WEATHER folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Link to SPORTS HISTORY/ HOBBIES/GAMES folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Link to Travel and Transportation folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Post Thirteen: Garret made a suggestion to add a thread about Favorite lines or favorite quotes in a book, by an author, or a character.
Response: We set up a thread for Garret and we called it Favorite Lines. Link to Favorite Lines thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Additionally we set up a folder which has some wonderful fun threads - we called the folder FAVORITES! AND NOT SO FAVORITES We have some wonderful threads that we would like folks to discover and post about - lots of fun.
Books that Top Your List - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Favorite TV Shows - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
FAVORITE THINGS - GETTING TO KNOW YOU - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
MOVIES - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
BOOKSTORES WE LOVE AND WHY - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
THINGS I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
HISTORICAL SITES - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MUSIC - Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Post Seventeen: Elizabeth from Alaska asked about Exploration and Discovery or Early Settlements - not just colonial America but Canada

Post Eighteen: I suggested that we did have an American History segment already. I did set up the Exploration and Discovery
folder and we have set up additional threads in American History and North America as well as Canada
Post Twenty: Alisa suggested North America, South America
Post Twenty-one: Elizabeth from Alaska suggested changing some topical headings
Post Twenty-two: Tom suggested some type of adventure segment - sea disasters, survival at sea, sea wrecks, escapes
Post Twenty-eight: Tom suggested Recently acquired books in My Books and I
Post Thirty: Michael suggested the favorite book we read last year.
Post Thirty-eight: Michael suggested: What are we listening to in the Audiobook section
Post Forty-two: abclaret looking for Indian threads
Post Forty-three: I indicate that we had a Southern Asia thread and threads on India

Post Forty-six: abclaret looked for expansion of the European section - wanted to include Spain and the Spanish Civil War and Russia and the Russian Revolution

Response: Yes, we do already have a Russian Revolution thread in the Military History folders.

Link to the Russian Revolution thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Yes, we did set up a thread for Spain.

Link to the thread that we set up for Spain:

Post Forty-seven: Aussie Rick told abclaret that we already had a Russian Revolution thread in the Military History thread.

Response: Yes, we do already have a Russian Revolution thread in the Military History folders.

Link to the Russian Revolution thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Link to the Russia folder which also has many threads on Russia and also another Russian Revolution thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Post Forty-eight: John just posted some books which are always welcome but had nothing to do with the suggestion topic

I have responded to the above but will respond here again - in the upcoming week with what we did.

Regarding books and members placing books on this thread:

This thread is not a thread where you should be adding citations for books unless you are using them as an example of a topic or folder that you cannot find that would or should house them. My instruction always has been to ALWAYS place them on the appropriate threads and folders once they have been set up. This is a general suggestion thread for topical areas or subjects that you cannot find on the site and you think would be a great addition

The Search Discussion Posts feature on the right of the main page

This feature does not seem to be working properly all of a sudden on these pages. This is a goodreads software and coding problem not a History Book Club site issue because this feature once worked extremely well.

For example if you had formerly put American History in the search box - you would have found all of the threads that dealt with American History or at least some threads from the American History folder. Goodreads itself seems to have done something which has affected their search functionality. Now when I put American History as a topical subject - it is pulling up threads that have simply the word American mentioned somewhere with none being from American History for example which is the name of a folder of threads that the group site has. I will report this - obviously a coding issue that we have nothing to do with.

That is why we are pointing out that aside from the Spotlighted, 50 Books, Free Books, BOTM, Buddy Reads and The Federalist Papers which are the top of the group site because they feature discussions - all of the other folders are in alphabetical order to make it easier for members to find. My suggestion is always to bookmark those folders and threads which are your favorites.

For example, here is a link to our American History folder:

Link to American History folder: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Another example is our American Democracy - Government folder:

Link to American Democracy - Government folder:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Another example is our American Civil War folder:

Link to the American Civil War folder - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

Post Fifteen: We had some discussion beginning with input from Vheissu about The New Historicism and he posted various books about various subjects.

Response: We did not set up separate threads on this subject since they could be incorporated in the folders and the threads that we had.

We felt that books that dealt with the New Historicism could easily be placed for example in folders that deal with American History or World History or Religion.

One thing that I will check on is whether the books that Vhiessu posted ever ended up in those folders. I will also provide links here.

Post Sixteen: Bryan asked if Vheissu was looking for a new topic on the field of history

Response: We did not set up new folders or threads - Explained above previously.

Bentley wrote: "Michele wrote: "Suggestion for a spotlight or book of the month read:

by [author:Garre..."

Suggestion: Make it Book of the Month for Sept. 2021. That would the 20th anniv. of 9/11.

That is an idea. A tragic reminder though. I lost some friends and neighbors. We should never forget them or other days and events of great losses including the World Wars, Pearl Harbor and the sad events related to the Holocaust or other genocides. The world can be an unforgiving place and sometimes tragically humans do not learn from history. But we can hope and that is why history is so important.

Bentley wrote: "That is an idea. A tragic reminder though. I lost some friends and neighbors. We should never forget them or other days and events of great losses including the World Wars, Pearl Harbor and the sad..."

I agree. We have a generation now, growing up, who did not experience 9/11/01. I could have lost an uncle, but lucky he was not at the WTC that day. A co-worker lost an Aunt. She was in tower two and never made it out. So we do need a good book for the 20th anniv. I learned stuff that I never knew, so it is worth reading.

Everybody in the Metro NYC area knew someone. So sad - just everyday folks going to work.

I think we need a thread on the insurrection attempt yesterday, 1/6/21, unless there is already a thread that can be used.

Question for the Mods: Is there a Big Tech thread? There are so many books written about their historical startups lately and not quite sure where to find the thread. Any help appreciated?

Christine wrote: "Question for the Mods: Is there a Big Tech thread? There are so many books written about their historical startups lately and not quite sure where to find the thread. Any help appreciated?"

Thank you for your inquiry, Christine. I have attached the thread that we have for TECHNOLOGY/ PRINT/ MEDIA. The link is as follows: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

If you would be interested in updating this thread, you may contact Bentley regarding the particulars.

Thank you.

Thank you, Lorna. Will do.

Christine wrote: "Thank you, Lorna. Will do."

Thank you, Christine.

As a reminder to all of the members of The History Book Club, there is to be no self-promotion or advertising of your book or trying to solicit reviewers for one's book or links to one's website. Those posts will be immediately removed.

Thank you.

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America

This is the start of the U.S. Forestry Service under Teddy R. and Gifford Pinchot. Talks about their attitude toward forestry and an event that happened to solidify the mission of the Service.

Thank you for your comment, Kathy. To be consistent with our guidelines, your citation should look like this:

by Timothy Egan

Thank you.

I looked through sections American Democracy & American History to try to find thread about civil rights. This year I started a multi-year civil rights study, this year starting with black civil rights. I will continue with women's rights then hispanic, then elderly and then ability-disability rights. Where shall I post my books as I read them?

Cynda, you may continue to post the books that you have read on your personal bookshelves on your Goodreads thread as you have before you joined The History Book Club. There is no mechanism for you to post your books on the group threads.

Okay. Soon I will have a personal thread. . . .Thanks.

Bentley, please see the message below from Vincent that I have moved from another thread.
Thank you.
_____________________________________________________________

Hi Bentley -hope you are well - there is a book review in todays NY Times about this book written by Matthew Desmond who wrote the eviction book we read before. Maybe you want to add this for us in an easy format. Best Vince.

NONFICTION

In Matthew Desmond’s ‘Poverty, by America,’ the Culprit Is Us
The new book by the sociologist and author of “Evicted” examines the persistence of want in the wealthy United States, finding that keeping some citizens poor serves the interests of many.

Vincent, thank you for suggestion to Bentley about Matthew Desmond's new book on poverty. I have posted it here.

by Matthew Desmond

This is a reminder to all members that the History Book Club does not allow any self-promotion or advertising regarding any books, manuscripts, publications, podcasts, or blogs. Essentially, there is to be no personal marketing whatsoever. And there is to be no mention of your authorship. Posts that are in violation of that rule will be deleted. Please refer to our bylaws should you have any questions. This thread It is not to be used as a forum about your authorship.

Thank you,
Lorna, Assisting Moderator (T) - Civil Rights and Supreme Court