Wholesome History Reads Group discussion

Victor6000 wrote: "Hello! I'm new on this group. I like historical books from adventure to the action. I'm a bit shy person. I also read sometimes some fantasy like Harry Potter. Which are the best history stories? i..."

Hi Victor and a warm welcome to the group, do you have a favourite period of history you like to read?

Andrew here, my current job enables me to listen to ~ 150 audiobooks a year. I’ve started focusing much more on history, as it seems more meaningful and broadly applicable than most fluff writing out there (pop-psyc / business / self help).

My main interest is in understanding leadership and influence, as well as the systems on which society turns, as kind of a general global “how we got here”. So that’s three things not one, but that’s the order of priority. Basically I focus on leadership / influence with periodic “oh, there’s a thing I know nothing about. What can I learn from this book?”


Lately I’ve been working through Robert A Caro’s saga on Lyndon Johnson, and am about to revisit Whittaker Chamber’s Witness - a deeply personal, deeply human, deeply philosophical political memoir about the author’s participation in and split from covert communist actions within the US around WWII.

Hi Andrew, good to see you here, history is a fascinating subject and there are no shortage of good books that can take you almost anywhere. It's good to question and try and understand the events and decisions that led to events that shaped our world.

Hello guys, I've just translated and published on KDP a friend's work regarding Dacian curved weapons and I'd love to have some feedback. I'm pretty sure it's wholesome, as stated in the group rules. Is it okay if I post somewhere a link to this book?

Dan wrote: "Hello guys, I've just translated and published on KDP a friend's work regarding Dacian curved weapons and I'd love to have some feedback. I'm pretty sure it's wholesome, as stated in the group rule..."

Sure, no problems Dan.

Hello everyone, I love history so I figured I would join this group, especially since I've seen some familiar names. I mostly read about European history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, though my favorite period is the three centuries spanning 1618-1918. I look forward to any and all discussions here. Happy reading.

Elliot wrote: "Hello everyone, I love history so I figured I would join this group, especially since I've seen some familiar names. I mostly read about European history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, t..."

Hi Elliot and welcome to the group.

Welcome to the group Andrew, nice to have you aboard.

Hi my name is Donnacha, I'm from Ireland, I love historical novels mainly and the American west. The last great book I read was From Russia with Blood, Unputdownable!!! I also like American Mafia, The Five Families was great. J T Edson and Sven Hassel for easy pulp fiction. I'm reading The Night of the Generals at the moment. It's very good, WW2 murder mystery involving 4 Generals

Hi Donnacha and welcome to the group, I hope you find a few things of interest here.

Hello and welcome, Donnacha! I love the American West as well. Any favorites you have discovered?

Hello everybody, my name is Bou and I am from the Netherlands. I stumbled upon this group after I noticed a few GR friends were part of this group as well and it got me interested. I have always been interested in history and I've read a lot of books on various subjects. If you are interested, please check my bookshelves and add me as a friend if you like. I look forward to the reviews and book recommendations in this great group.

Hi Bou, and welcome to the group, I am sure you will have a lot to offer here :)

Look who's rocked up! Welcome to the group Bou, looking forward to your comments.

Hello everyone, my name is Thushitha and I love history. I came across this group quite by accident on Goodreads and was excited to find a group of people who also love history! I'm looking forward to finding books to read, recommendations and discussions.

Hi Thushitha and a warm welcome to the group. Is there any particular period of history that is your favourite?

Welcome to the group Thushitha.

Thank you! I love history of all periods. I've read English, Indian, Middle East and American history. I have been reading about the World Wars and the leaders during those periods lately. I am trying to understand how past events shape our present day politics and events.

Hi all. My name is Tatiana.
I love history and if it's based on a true story even more :). Last book read is the last part of the trilogy of TrajanSantiago Posteguillo . This is the first time I join a book group!

Hi Tatiana and let me offer you a warm welcome to the group.

Welcome to the group Tatiana

Greetings,
Pleased to join from Tokyo, originally hail from Ohio. American history, inventors, and British history are my main lines of interest, but also open to other people and places.
Best,

Hi Peter and let me offer you a warm welcome to the group :)

Hi all, from New York, USA.
My preferences are military history.

Hi Arthur and welcome to the group :)

Greetings! I'm here to connect with other lovers of history. And also to introduce you to my book coming out in November: She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome.
It is about the stories behind the people, buildings and art that you see in that magical place.
She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome

Hey all, I'm Constantine, from Greece and I'm here looking for new history books. ;)

Constantine wrote: "Hey all, I'm Constantine, from Greece and I'm here looking for new history books. ;)"

Hi Constantine and welcome to the group, what period/area of history are you interested in?

Hi all, I am Merve and I am new in this group. I love books about Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, American Revolution and French History (especially second empire). I am looking forward to get book recommendations and discuss about the books.

Hi Merve, welcome to the group and like you I love books on Ancient Greece and Rome. Funny enough I have just finished Adrian Goldsworthy's latest book:

Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors by Adrian Goldsworthy

and I am currently reading this pretty interesting account on the Roman Army:

Gladius: Life in the Roman Army by Guy de la Bédoyère

Hi! My name is Jennifer and I love all things to do with ancient history. I mainly love reading books about ancient Greece and Egypt.

Hi Jennifer and welcome to the group. I love ancient history as well from the Egyptians through to the Romans.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Jennifer and welcome to the group. I love ancient history as well from the Egyptians through to the Romans."
Thank you!
The ancient Egyptians have always been especially fascinating for me to study. I love doing research about daily life as well as that of the Pharaohs. I even like to write about them. Currently doing a murder mystery set in ancient Egypt for fun. Don't expect much to come out of it but it gives me something to do and improves my writing. Plus it gives me an even greater excuse to read ancient Egyptian murder mysteries like the Lord Meren series by Lynda S, Robinson.

Hi Jennifer. 👋 Do you have any favorites on Ancient Greece that you would recommend?

Ryann wrote: "Hi Jennifer. 👋 Do you have any favorites on Ancient Greece that you would recommend?"
Hi Ryann, I think it depends on the type of book you are looking for. Do you have a particular subgenre? Murder mystery for example. I personally don't have any particular novels myself set in ancient Greece to recommend but I would be more than happy to do some looking for us both. I'm usually quite good at finding some good books. I am currently having a look at a murder mystery set in ancient Greece that I have seen before but didn't choose to get at the time as my focus was on Ancient Egypt. Its called The Pericles Commission (An Athenian Mystery) by Gary Corby.

No preference. I enjoy Greek mythology and would love to learn more about the history of what was happening in Greece during the time of Homer, for example. I know zero so I have zero starting point. 😄

Have you tried any of Stephen Fry's books on Greek mythology? I loved his trilogy starting with "Mythos":

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

Heroes: Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures by Stephen Fry

Troy by Stephen Fry

Ryann wrote: "No preference. I enjoy Greek mythology and would love to learn more about the history of what was happening in Greece during the time of Homer, for example. I know zero so I have zero starting poin..."

I love Greek mythology. Have you read The Song of Achilles my Madeline Miller?

No, please excuse my ignorance, but him being an actor and comedian, I wasn’t too sure how well he would present this subject material versus a long time historian. However, I’m willing to try his books. I follow your page and you always find some great books on every era.

Yes! Achilles and Circe. I love Miller too.

Ryann wrote: "No, please excuse my ignorance, but him being an actor and comedian, I wasn’t too sure how well he would present this subject material versus a long time historian. However, I’m willing to try his ..."

Like you I was initially unsure if I would enjoy "Mythos" but I gave it a go and was very pleasantly surprised. His telling of the stories is very entertaining and I don't think he strays off the path in his account. Here are a few reviews that may help you decide:

https://freelymagazine.com/2018/12/19...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

https://fivebooks.com/book/mythos-ste...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Thank you!

Hey all I'm new to this group

Hi, my name is Mary,
I’m studying history at present and have the most remarkable opportunity of living with a retired history teacher: an awfully kind lady: my good friend’s mother. This week I sat my first-year exams and according to my mentor, I smashed it, "Yippe-Dippee-Doo-Daa."
I struggled at school and family, when I lived at home, laughed at me for trying to improve myself through books. Until I joined Goodreads, I would read high-street novels, but now - outside of my studies - I’m reading European political intrigue: to me these works are more thrilling than the novels I once read.
I did, before leaving Manchester, talk to a man, in his late years, on the bus to work: he told me, a good book will always teach you something.
I don't do social media, I did, but suffered too much abuse. I get upset easily. I am tiny and I was very timid.
I now live in the south-east corner of Britain. I work in a garden centre and love it.
I will try and read all the posts; I can't promise I'll add to them.
Please be kind to me.

Hi Mary and a warm welcome to the group. I hope you find a few areas of interest here, any questions don't hesitate to ask :)

Hello
My name is Tom, I am Polish and live in Luxembourg. I am an avid reader of history and historical fiction, with a special interest in Mediterranean and Near Eastern antiquity, US history, modern European history, and modern Far Eastern history (I am a Chinese and Japanese speaker). History interest me because it is a way to learn more about us. Living here and now, we know a little about how we are now. But looking back, shows us how we can be under other circumstances and broadens our view of humanity.
I am also interested in literature and rhetoric, so in my reading of fiction or popular history I gravitate towards well written books: with well designed characters, plot, historical accuracy (if fiction) and good rhetoric/diction. I tend to like "hard" books--I am more interested in learning something new than in finding out what happened next.
I am also a translator of books on those topics.

Hi there Tom and a welcome to the group! By the sounds of things we have pretty similar interests :)

Hi I am Hayley, I love historical mystery and I am currently reading Red Winter Journey by Paul Rushworth-Brown

Hi Hayley and welcome to the group.

Hi, I'm a classical archaeologist specialising in Roman archaeology, I love ancient historical movies and books, especially Roman ones, and I also write both historical fiction and nonfiction. Nice to meet you!