Historical Fictionistas discussion

Bobbye wrote: "I'm always looking for good fiction set in the American Civil War."

Have you read The Killer Angels?

Rosalie wrote: "If we read about the wild west I recommend Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides. As someone who lives part of each year in the mountains of northern New Mexico, I read a lot of western stuff & consid..."

Blood and Thunder is nonfiction.

Susanna wrote: "

Have you read The Killer Angels?"

I've read that and the John Jakes series. Thanks for the suggestions though. I havcen't RE-read either in a while, maybe it's time! :)

Luckngrace wrote: "American Civil War is my fav."

I agree. American Civil War is my favorite, as well.

Pam wrote: "Luckngrace wrote: "American Civil War is my fav."

Lucky, have you read any Jeff Sharra?"

I think his father is the better writer. I love American Civil War HF.

Michael Shaara is excellent.

A couple of possibilities: Cornwell's Sharpe series, which takes us through each of the battles of the Napoleonic wars from Britain's perspective (a bit of a guy thing, I know, but they are fun and very well researched). I also liked the suggestion of Lonesome Dove by McMurtry. He wrote a number in the series.

With so much interest in the American West here, I wonder if anyone has seen an old television series (well, not that old) called Deadwood? I just read a review that said it is much better written than most TV shows,and I wondered if someone here had seen it. I imagine there's a book version also..

Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com

I liked Deadwood quite a bit, but be prepared for a great deal of the f word! I've always wondered if that was historically accurate. In the 1800s did people use the f word when swearing? Deadwood is the only instance I can think of where you see it used often or at all in my reading of that time period (and tv watching.). I'd like to hear what others know about this.

This isn't really the right place for a discussion on Deadwood. Feel free to start a thread in The Front Parlor to continue this discussion: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

M.G. wrote: "Historical thriller, anyone?"

I vote for that!

Put me in for an historical thriller as well.

Maybe Medieval European set outside England such as Robert Low's Oathsworn series which is Viking.

J.R. wrote: "Maybe Medieval European set outside England such as Robert Low's Oathsworn series which is Viking."
vikings sounds interesting. The 'Viking Age' ended before 1000 AD--isn't that before the 'middle ages'?

Well, many definitions consider the Middle Ages to have extended from the 6th century to the 16th century beginning with the collapse of the Roman Empire. I wouldn't argue tremendously with other definitions though. :)

There aren't a lot of really good novels about the Viking period and Low's are extremely well researched and quite an adventure. It's something quite different from the usual. I have to say it is not necessarily an easy read though. Low doesn't believe in glossaries. But once you get into it, it is amazing. =D

Most historians consider the general medieval period to extend more or less from the 5th century to the 15th, yes.

Susanna wrote: "Most historians consider the general medieval period to extend more or less from the 5th century to the 15th, yes."
I stand corrected. My ancestors were probably (Danish) Vikings--what I know of them doesn't seem very 'middle ages', though they were not necessarily as 'primitive' as their reputation. I'm not familiar with Low's work and look forward to reading more.

Anne wrote: "I stand corrected. My ancestors were probably (Danish) Vikings--what I know of them doesn't seem very 'middle ages',

That's probably because when most people think of the middle ages, they tend to think of things from the high to late middle ages but the vikings existed during the early middle ages, a more obscure period. You were somewhat accurate with the date 1000 AD as this is around the time when most historians agree the early middle ages came to an end and evolved into the high middle ages. So there was a distinct change going on during that time.

Robin wrote: "Anne wrote: "I stand corrected. My ancestors were probably (Danish) Vikings--what I know of them doesn't seem very 'middle ages',

That's probably because when most people think of the middle ages..."
Interesting!

Probably a lot of people have that impression. Anyhoo... :)

I think it would be interesting to do some reading about the early middle ages and about medieval Europe outside of the British Isles. I enjoy Bernard Cornwell's early middle ages novels set in Britain as well though.

J.R. wrote: "Probably a lot of people have that impression. Anyhoo... :)

I think it would be interesting to do some reading about the early middle ages and about medieval Europe outside of the British Isles. I..."
I find Cornwall's books too gory--I hope the Oathsworn series has something other than fighting to recommend it.

Cornwell's books are war fiction. I find it rather objectionable when war fiction pretends that war isn't gory. Low's books are fairly gory as well. They definitely aren't the neat and clean fiction you find from some authors. :)

I would hardly say, though, that all Corwell has to recommend it is the gore. They are well written and well researched with good characterisation of strong characters. But perhaps not a debate for this thread. :)

Of course, war fiction isn't to everyone's taste. One does have to allow for varying tastes.

J.R. wrote: "Probably a lot of people have that impression. Anyhoo... :)

I think it would be interesting to do some reading about the early middle ages and about medieval Europe outside of the British Isles. I..."

I just got an ARC of Hild: A Novel, set in 7th century - looking forward to it.

Robin wrote: "J.R. wrote: "Probably a lot of people have that impression. Anyhoo... :)

I think it would be interesting to do some reading about the early middle ages and about medieval Europe outside of the Bri..."
Looks interesting. :)

Medicine/medical practices
Deities
International bodies - League of Nations, United Nations, IMF, NATO, OPEC....
Sport

Donna R wrote: "Medicine/medical practices
Deities
International bodies - League of Nations, United Nations, IMF, NATO, OPEC....
Sport"

These are good ideas especially deities, and medicine.

Becky wrote: "So I decided just to add to this thread rather than create a new one...

Feel free to suggest any HF related themes you can think of for upcoming group reads.

Examples:
Pertaining to a particul..."
Historical Fiction pertaining to Indigenous cultures
. . . pertaining to Tribal people . . . and the like

Michelle wrote: "I think some Asian history needs to be added to the theme list. I loved Memoirs of a Geisha and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan."

I second that notion . . western fiction overwhelmingly dominates this group :(

Both Asian history and indigenous peoples would interest me as topics.

Historical Fiction based on the story of an invention or a scientific discovery.

Pedro wrote: "story of an invention or a scientific discovery."

This is really interesting.

I would also enjoy reading HF about any of the aspects of the spice trade.

C.P. wrote: "Both Asian history and indigenous peoples would interest me as topics."

Hi C.P. I share the same interests, especially on the indigenous side. I'm hoping more people write about these. I belong to the indigenous highlander tribes in the Philippines known as Igorots, and though it's great to be known as the first Igorot to write a historical fiction novel, its very sad at the same time :( I'll be checking your shelves out for some good reads. Cheers :)

I'd like to see a thread on Mesoamerican HF that includes the Mayas, Incas and other indigenous South American tribes. Quite a lot has been written about the Aztecs, who are in the Mesoamerican grouping, but maybe they should have their own thread.

Pre-Columian America

Scientific discovery

Historical fiction related to human rights

Wow what a list. Would time travel be considered historical fantasy?

I'd like to recommend Paranormal Historical Fiction. I just read a fantastic book by Andra Watkins: To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. Such a good and fun read. I just learned she's writing a memoir about her experience on the Natchez Trace and that TLF is the first in maybe a trilogy

Is Paranormal HF different, and if so how, from Fantasy HF?

Maggie Anton

How about British Colonial?
And a villian!

Any one of the 12 Flashman novels of George MacDonald Fraser.
How can such an absolute rogue, blackheart, villain, womanizer, bounder, cheat, and liar be so fascinating?

Fraser's use of historical facts in his novels is ingenious (e.g. Flashman and the Angel of the Lord")

Maggie wrote: "Is Paranormal HF different, and if so how, from Fantasy HF?

Maggie Anton"

Maggie Anton | 88 comments Is Paranormal HF different, and if so how, from Fantasy HF?

Paranormal is more ghostie, I think. Fantasy can include dragons and wizards and such.

I'm up for historical fantasy. When do we make the July decision? I'm readig May's, and have June's at the ready...

Becky wrote: "So I decided just to add to this thread rather than create a new one...

Feel free to suggest any HF related themes you can think of for upcoming group reads.

Examples:
Pertaining to a particul..."

A Time of Peace
(I'm interested in whether cultures stagnate if war isn't recent or on the horizon.

Has midwifery in history been suggested yet? It quite often gets mentioned in books but I'd like to read about in more detail. Also, if anybody reads this comment and knows of a book which fits, please pm with the title.

Because I wanted to research midwifery in medieval France, I created Rashi's middle daughter Miriam as a midwife. In Rashi's Daughters, Book I: Joheved: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France, she's an apprentice and in Rashi's Daughters, Book II: Miriam: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France a professional. I wrote some fairly accurate [and scary] childbirth scenes.
Maggie Anton

What about historical Kenya? White Mischief by James Fox, The Bolter by Frances Osborne, or Green Coty in the Sun by Barbara Wood. All very readable and something different

Sorry should read Green City in the sun by Barbara Wood

That sounds about right Maggie, I'll have a look.

Spartacus or Hannibal novels by Ben Kane are great Historical Fiction reads.

John Jakes is a great historical fiction author, I've only read three of the Kent Chronicle books, but after reading that I would read anything by him.

Another favorite for me right now is reading about Kleopatra's daughter after Egypt is conquered.

What about books written by authors at the time? That way you know that what they are writing about is a true picture of the era. For example, Fielding's Tom Jones, or Madame de Lafayette's Princesse de Cleves, or authors such as Swift, or Defoe.