Our History discussion

I was just wondering what everyone's favorite period of history is, or if not a specific time period a favorite nation or region of study.

Here is my list of favorites:
A little Greek history (almost entirely ancient authors)
Roman Republic & Empire history
Ottoman History (mostly the 16th to 18th centuries)
And a select amount of American Revolution history as well

I hope to start reading about Venetian history preferably covering the 15th to 16th centuries.

So how about you? What type of history interests you most?

I'm kind of a generalist. I do have a real preference for British history, though.

I like Pre-Revolutionary American History,but it really depends on the writer. I have read lots of different periods.

I'm kind of like Susanna and a generalist

in past few months read ADAMS VS JEFFERSON which was a great read -1800 Election

FREEDOM AT MIDNIGHT
WHICH WAS ABOUT 1947 TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY TO INDIA/PAKISTAN BY ENGLISH

THE COLDEST WAR
which was about the Korean War and was very informative

am going to start getting into CHINESE/INDIAN history as may be relevant in the coming years

I can get into just about any history I run into although I really have a preference for modern European history. And German history at that.

But my latest fascination is the relationship between history and memory, there's a growing field looking at how memory shapes history and vice versa. It's pretty cool stuff!

I tend to read about frontier-era history, but I also enjoy ancient Rome and Greece.

I read mostly about 20th century Europe. You know, WWII, Cold War, Russian history. I can't get enough of that stuff.

I'm starting to poke into the topics of Africa and genocide that stretches from the nineties into current affairs.

My concentration was modern European, but I basically tailored it from 1890 to present, but earlier when looking into issues of nationalism (unification of Italy and Germany, specifically). I love nationalism, fin-de-siecle Europe, colonialism, anti-Semitism/birth of Zionism, and the inter-war period. I spent a year studying just WWII, but world-wide, and that was pretty awesome. I don't like military history specifically, although I love war history - I much prefer reading about the social, cultural and psychological effects of it than what tanks were used.

I also read pretty much everything on any genocide I can find - have pretty much read almost everything related to Rwanada and the Holocaust. (my shelves don't reflect how many I have read - I keep meaning to go back and log, but I never seem to have time.)

And then there's the history/memory conflict. I wrote my thesis on the conflict between history and memory in the French-Algerian war and how it parallels the "What did you do during the war, Daddy?" syndrome that happened post-WWII that Paxton wrote about. I adored writing that thing. I read a Linenthal article about the Enola Gay controversy at the Smithsonian, and I was hooked. One of my favorite professors taught a course on history and memory in WWII, and it was incredibly fascinating. I then got to help her research her book, (Past Obsessions: War and Memory in the Twentieth Century) which is basically the class in book form, with a lot more theory. (I love the theory.) The book is tied up with photo copyrights though, so the release date is unclear, but lookout for it! (Her books now are about Japan - she is one of the leading American historians on Japanese history.)

Basically I'll read anything - I'm getting more and more into the history of South Asia. Right now I'm reading about the Medici's in Florence - gotta love crazy Italians, seriously.

I like reading most of history but tend to be drawn mostly to Russian and French history, although I also enjoy reading the social history aspects of WWII and the history of the Middle East to an extent.

If you haven't already stumbled upon this one, you might find it interesting:

The Bishop of Rwanda by John Rucyahana (Author), James Riordan (Contributor)

http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Rwanda-J...

Hello, everyone.

I'm new to the group but I certainly can identify with your motto.

My interests started out in Ancient and Medieval European history but since I've left UCLA's graduate program (going on 15+ years now), it's become far more eclectic, though I still tend to focus on a few areas:

Ancient/Medieval Europe (still)
China (and to a lesser extent Japan)
American history before the Civil War and then post-WW2
Byzantine/Ottoman
Norman (particularly their Sicilian period)
Russian (pre-Bolshevik, though I have a abiding fascination w/ Stalin and will eventually get to Montefiore's "Young Stalin" one of these days)

Actually, if the subject matter looks interesting or it strikes my fancy at the time, I'll look into it.

When I was young I found the study of history boring. Now that I am old enough to have some of my own history I am fascinated by the subject. I will entertain pretty much any history if the author is engaging and has a good writing style.

In the past few years I have delved into:
1. Early American history (from Plymouth Rock to about 1850).
2. The history of mathematics.
3. Eastern European history.
4. The history of the Ottoman Empire.
5. The history of early Christianity.
6. The history of the Jews.
8. The history of late medieval philosophy and science.
9. The history of Russia.
10. The history of China.
11. The history of computation.

Honestly, I think if it is posed and researched well, I enjoy reading all kinds of history!

In a formal education program, I studied the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern history, religious history (specifically Judaism and early Christianity), Atlantic history and early modern European history.

And in my own informal research, my main reading interest of late has been Latin American history and Southeast Asian history. I like to look at pre- and post-colonial histories of these regions, with special attention to culture, science, and religion. I also enjoy natural history, incorporating science and environmental/nature studies with general history, e.g. maritime history, ecological history, cultural anthropology.

...but like I said, I really love it all :)

I love it all too. I used to concentrate very heavily on American history from 1492 to the early 1800s. However, after reading Guns, Germs and Steel (Jared Diamond) and 1491 (by Charles Mann), I have widened my scope.

I am just now finishing In Search of the Trojan War (by Michael Wood) and find myself fascinated by the prehistory of the eastern Mediterranean and NW Anatolia.

Like you, I have concentrated at times on American history, specifically women at the Battle of Gettysburg for FIXIN' THINGS and women in the NW post CW for a possible sequel.

I have also done exhaustive research in re the dark age of Greece circa 600bce for SAPPHO SINGS.

Current research is concentrated on pre-history in the lower Aegean/western Mediteranean circa 17th century bce.

In my mind, for my areas of interest history should be spelled hystory from the Greek root hyst.

Anything historical will catch my attention, I guess it really depends on what type of mood I'm in at the time.

I have found myself indulging in the history of the post-Civil War, the lives of women in New England and the prairie states. I've been surprised by the dearth written about this compared to the Civil War times, although I suppose it makes sense that war catches people's imaginations and interest contrasted to the consequences of those intense times. As to your Greek 600 bce interest, I would recommend "The Island Project - Poems for Sappho" by Eloise Klein Healy. I rarely recommend poetry as I'm more of a prose reader, but Eloise's work always captures me.

Stephanie

Stephanie: for post Civil War women in the west I recommend "The Gentle Tamers" by Dee Brown, author of "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee"

"Gentle Tamers" is wonderful. Also for that period, look for Susan B. Anthony etc. The suffrigettes did a lot of campaigning throughout the western, as well as the eastern states.

Also, research Homesteading during that era, Many brave widows and maidens prooved up on their own land during the post CW surge.

Does anyone out there know of a good text book or just a general book about the history of Great Britain? I'm looking for a book that I can read that will give me an overview and then I'll go from there and go more indepth on times and people that interest me.

Thanks

I'm interested with

- war history, esp. the European wars
- military history, esp. related with special forces in the US, the UK and recently, Israel
- espionage history esp. the intelligence agencies in those above mentioned countries
- world order, international relations history --> something to do with my major in college

Sometimes I also love to read about:
- medieval history
- english history (from pre-anglo saxon to world war II)
- greek and roman histories (along with the myths)

My favorite history to study is Russian history, particularly the Romanov family, but I would like to read more about Stalin. Second, I love American history, especially the Revolution and the Civil War. I've recently started to dabble in English history - who doesn't love Henry VIII?

I'd recommend Simon Schama's excellent three volume 'A History of Britain.'

Yes, anything by Schama, who is also an expert in 17th century Netherlands. I have recommend REMBRANDT'S EYES and THE EMBARASSMENT OF RICHES.

For reading, it depends upon the story. I am open to all countries and centuries.

For writing, again it depends upon what inspires me to research.

For my degree, it was Europe 1815-1914.

Odd, unless someone has done it in France, I believe no novel has been written about my favorite character, the elegant and "wicked wascally" Talleyrand.

That is odd, Donald - you would think Talleyrand's story would really lend itself to the historical fiction treatment, wouldn't you?

Regarding Talleyrand, Susanna, I may tackle him yet although I have so many other novels in my head, working on two HF simultaneously, and outlining a third.

I'm new to this group. My interests are mostly American Revolution and Civil War. I also enjoy some British history especially anything in the Plantagenet era up through the Tudors.

I mostly enjoy the medieval age, especially concerning Ireland, Scotland England; and WWII. I'm also intrigued by Russia, the Mongols, and ancient Rome and Greece. Thats not to say I won't read anything about any other area or time!

I've always found myself interested by WWII and the American Revolution. Very Americanized, but, hey, I'm American.

But the more I read the more I encounter entirely new subjects that I've never been exposed to before. Persian history, for instance, is a new one that I'm finding really interesting. On the back burner--I'd like to learn more about the Mayan civilization.

Can anybody recommend a good introduction to Mayan history?

I love to read about when different cultures first come into contact with each other. Recent reads are:
-Mayflower (Nathaniel Philbrick)
-A Land so Strange (Andre Resendez)
-Savage Kingdom: The True Story of Jamestown (Benjamin Wooley)
-Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu (Laurence Bergreen)
Would love to hear of other recommendations.

Narrative histories of medicine and science. I love stories about how things were discovered.

Holly
my link textw

Post Roman Britain is my main area of interest with occassional forays into the later Middle Ages. I'm interested in many aspects of prehistory, too. And have recently become more interested in the history of landscapes..

I also have a side interest in anatomists and body snatchers.

But I am open to a well-written account from most times and places.

My interests range from ancient history thru early medieval. Then I leap up to the 15th Century explorers. Don't do anything after 1900.

My reading is mostly primary sources with a few academic articles thrown in.

Holly,
I enjoy a good read on medical history also. Some great stuff out there.

My interest is very elastic.
I generally prefer European and Ancient Civilizations: Egypt,Rome,Greece,Babylon.

I also like reading about pre-Columbian: Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations too.

The great thing about history is that if you come across an interesting new or old book, it will trigger a great hunger to learn more about an era or location that never got my attention.

I recently read a book about the end of the British Empire, which has suddenly triggered an interest in Sub Saharan Africa; especially Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. etc etc etc.

Even though I love ancient Egypt, I would love to learn more about Egypt during the Ptolomies and the Christian era under the Byzantines.

Any suggestions?

I am interested primarily in economic and political history, ranging from western Europe during the High and Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, to colonial America (eastern Canada and the British colonies, not the Spanish or the Russian). My tastes tend to fluctuate rapidly--in the past I have read much about ancient China and India, yet now I find myself completely indifferent to those topics. There is one constant: to date, I have never found myself particularly attracted to anything post-Industrial Revolution.

Recently, I have cultivated a healthy interest in medieval Islamo-European relations--mainly focusing on the Crusades, of course--and in the socioeconomic impacts of the Hundred Years' War, a topic on which I have found little specific work, unfortunately.

My preferences generally revolve around Howard Zinns take on history. Plus any other historian that knows America wasn't "discovered" and is willing to look beyond the all-knowing Eurocentric textbooks.

I like social/cultural history but don't know many books/authors who write their books from this standpoint.

The reason I am interested in those 2 areas is that I like to see what affect/change social/cultural trends have on the nature of human behavior and whether human beings are evolving towards a more positive, happy and productive creature on this Earth.

any one have a favorite book/author in this area?

Who/What?
Thanks

See books by Jared Diamond if your in to a blend of history / culture / biology:
"Guns,Germs, and Steel"
"Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed"

Greetings.
New guy on the group here.
Big interest in Dark Ages Europe.
Also I've been skirting round late 1500s/early 1600s European Hx for a while, specifically Scots and Irish Hx (Union of the Crowns, Flight of the Earls that kind of thing). Keep dipping in and out of the period in one way or another.
Currently reading Tyerman's God's War and Dumas' epic D'Artagnan saga.

I'm up for anything because history is my absolute favorite subject. But I do prefer reading about english history(Kings, Queens, crusades and such).

Hard to pick one. But I do find the history of SE USA very interesting -- from the Paleo Indians, through the exploration of Hernando de Sota, the undeclared war by the English against the Spanish forts on the Eastern Seaboard, colonial settlement of the English, Indian Wars, Wars of Genocide against the Cherokee & Shawnee, French & Indian war, Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the War of Northern Aggression against the South. There my interest ends -- the end of the Pioneer Era. I wrote a book about this, if anyone is interested.

Kate wrote: "I'm a fan of all history but I have my favorites, so I'll list a few here. I love WW2 history & the post-war world, everything about it is fascinating to me. FDR, war effort at home in the U.S., th..."

Google: "The Dachau Massacre" My Dad was there.

I personally love European history era renaissance. Greek and Roman history is also interesting. for some reason i can't stand american history. WWII also is cool.

Over the past few years, I've developed this fascination for Russian history, probably because you don't get a lot of coverage about their history in high school classes and whatnot so my shelf is littered with Russian history books and stuff. I'm also interested in Roman history (especially the Empire period), British history (especially their political and naval history) and Church history. I also like large-scale aspects about history, like trends that have shaped the course of human development and international relations. Then there's the odds and ends that I like as well, like the Medici family and stuff :)

Hello Everyone, I'm brand new to the world of goodreads and therefore to the group. Look forward to ideas for reading. I'm mid 50's live in NH - kids, grandkids - tech background - on the board of my local library. I'm fascinated by all kinds of history - areas of particular interest for me include:

Classical Greek and Roman history
Early Christianity - particularly the gnostics
English/Irish
US Revolutionary War period
US Civil War
Anything that deals with the overarching trends that tie history together

Bruce wrote: "Hello Everyone, I'm brand new to the world of goodreads and therefore to the group. Look forward to ideas for reading. I'm mid 50's live in NH - kids, grandkids - tech background - on the board o..."

Hi, Bruce and wellcome. I've got you covered. My novel SAPPHO SINGS is set in the 7th century BCE while my novel FIXIN' THINGS is set @ Gettysburg before, during & after the Battle in 1863. Check 'em out, please.

Peggy wrote: "Bruce wrote: "Hello Everyone, I'm brand new to the world of goodreads and therefore to the group. Look forward to ideas for reading. I'm mid 50's live in NH - kids, grandkids - tech background - ..."

Hey Peggy

Thanks for the suggestions. I've put them on my to read list. Do you have excerpts on the site?

"My novel SAPPHO SINGS is set in the 7th century BCE while my novel FIXIN' THINGS is set @ Gettysburg before, during & after the Battle in 1863"


Excerpts & first chapter of each book on it's page at peggyullmanbell.com also an audio excerpt on the audio page plus some other stuff you, and others might find interesting. I heartily welcome site reviews.

where did the term BCE (Before the Commom Era) come from and why use it?

I don't know where it came from but I use it out of respect for the millions of non-Christians in the world.