8. A microhistory

[Matt]

So the new movie that came out called 12 Strong about the Horse Soldiers is also a book which I might read. Would that be considered a microhistory?

[Ruth]

OK, so the exact title of the book my mom suggested for me is No Room for Small Dreams: The Decisions That Made Israel Great It's about the founding of the State of Israel.

Does this not count because it's a memoir and not a history, even though it's a memoir of a politician? I guess I can use it for "a book set in a country that fascinates me" instead. I just reserved Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing for this prompt instead.

[Patricia]

I own this book Food Tyrants: Fight for Your Right to Healthy Food in a Toxic World, although haven't read it yet. I checked Amazon and discovered some interesting reviews.

[Emanuel]

I readMacau Noir * O Mal dos Outros, a book with two fantastic microfictions.

[Kim]

Stina wrote: "Kim wrote: "Okay, this is crazy! I knew that my mom's cousin had written a book on the flooding of the Big Thompson River, in CO. I thought it would be perfect for this prompt, and I would get to r..."

That is really nice of you to offer, Stina, but I really should be able to finagle one from my mom's cousin. If anyone has a copy lying around, it would be her. And she might actually be happy that I want to read it. I am just flabbergasted that a little book like that could be so pricy!

In the meantime, though, I ordered (and it's already arrived!), The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell, by Mark Kurlansky. I'd heard good things about his Salt: A World History, but I thought this would be good for me to read, and then I can pass it on to a friend who LOVES oysters!

[Sharyn]

would stasiland-stories from beyond the berlin wall count? or not micro enough? 🤔

[Laura]

I'm currently finishing up Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story from last year's list, and it would definitely fit into this category. It doesn't appear that interesting from first glance, but it actually is! It's a history of the English alphabet as we know it, along with other fascinating information like the birth of the printing press, lost letters, and the art of creating codes.

[Johanne]

Laura wrote: "I'm currently finishing up Alphabetical: How Every Letter Tells a Story from last year's list, and it would definitely fit into this category. It doesn't appear that interesting fro..."

Wow, that sounds interesting!

[Dottie]

I think I may do
As a retired critical nurse (forced retirement from disability - too many back surgeries, etc..) I tend to gravitate to the medical stories to keep my mind sharp. I still keep my license active and take all my continuing education courses to stay current! Plus all my friends keep me updated with their stories.

[Jenny]

Would The Gene: An Intimate History or American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land work for this?

[Devon]

I can't tell if The History of White People is too broad?

[Devon]

Or, I just read about this book that comes out tomorrow: Mothers of Massive Resistance : White Women and the Politics of White Supremacy. It seems narrow enough to be a microhistory, maybe? If not, I will put it under "a problem facing society today."

[Rose]

I just heard this author speak and am so far fascinated by this book, would it count? Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats

[Rachel]

I read Octopus: The Ocean's Intelligent Invertebrate, which was actually better than I expected. I'm not a fan of non-fiction at all.

[Johanne]

Sharyn wrote: "would stasiland-stories from beyond the berlin wall count? or not micro enough? 🤔"

I think that would count as microhistory. It has a very specific focus on the history of East-Germany.

[Јована]

I'm currently reading My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey and it's pretty amazing so far. It depicts the events that accompany the stroke, but in first person P.O.V since the author was awake when it happened.

[Jeannie]

I'm currently reading Death of a President by William Manchester. Definitely qualifies as a microhistory. It is outstanding.

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

I went ahead and finally chose mine; just got it in the mail: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot . I LOVE history, it's my double major, so to have this book - a combination medical history + biography, with creative, historic. non-fiction writing filling the narrative of Henrietta - well, it is all just making me nerd out. It's a lot of good things rolled into one book, you know? Super stoked. Plus- it's a very important story to have known, also. A lot of historic non-fiction books are fascinating because it comes down to social history in some way...but written in an almost 'story/novella' format. Both my history geek side + my english nerd side are pleased...unless the book sucks, of course. Haven't opened it yet! *fingers crossed* --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Jess]

Jennifer Lynn wrote: "I went ahead and finally chose mine; just got it in the mail: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot . I LOVE history, it's my double major, so to ha..."

This was one of my favourite books from last year.

[Edie]

If you are a lover of words, I recommend Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper for this prompt. It is fascinating and highly readable. It gave me a much greater appreciation of what goes into a dictionary: pronunciation editors, discussions about parts of speech, origins, how different dictionaries differ.... I read it on Kindle which allowed me to look up footnotes on the fly as well as using an online dictionary.

[Camila]

I'm really confuse about this topic, for example, the book «En Italia son todos machos» (I don't know the name in English) from Luca de Santi. could fix in it?

[Chrissi]

Chinook wrote: "I’m contemplating Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, At Home: A Short History of Private Life, or [book:The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harva..."

I really recommend At Home by Bill Bryson. I just finished it and enjoyed his "romp" through so many things in history that make our daily lives work.

[Chrissi]

I think these would qualify:

Spice: The History of a Temptation
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of the Home
The Great Cities in History
London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets

[Milena]

Would The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House work for this prompt?

[Jackie]

Milena wrote: "Would The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House work for this prompt?"

Yeah, that sounds great. Just added it to my tbr!

[Milena]

Jackie wrote: "Milena wrote: "Would The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House work for this prompt?"

Yeah, that sounds great. Just added it to my tbr!"

Thank you, Jackie.

[Kimberly]

I just finished by James McBride, and plan to use it for this prompt. An excellent book on the history of McBride's mother, her history, and how she left her family to find herself and a community that held her dear.

[Elena]

I interpret these prompts leniently so I'll be counting Obama: An Intimate Portrait: The Historic Presidency in Photographs as my microhistory. :D

Unless I have time at the end of the year to read a proper microhistory ...

[Jane]

I finished Dear World: A Syrian Girl's Story of War and Plea for Peace by Bana Alabed on Jan 25

[Kara]

My library just added Buzz: A Stimulating History of the Sex Toy to their digital library. I know what I'll be reading for this prompt.

[Nima]

Hello! I just started Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Can this be considered a microhistory reading?

It delves extensively into Abraham Lincoln's leadership style and how his political rivals eventually became important cabinet members and advisors. It gives intimate accounts of all four men to better understand each of their backgrounds, personalities, and motivations.

[Melissa]

Thinking I'll read The Secret Lives of Codebreakers: The Men and Women Who Cracked the Enigma Code at Bletchley Park for this, as it will double for this prompt and my own personal Read My Bookshelf challenge.

[Aly]

Would y'all consider The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women to be a microhistory? I'm about to start it and it would be cool if it counted.

[Melissa]

For those interested in reading “Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II” it’s the Audible Daily Deal today (March 8) at $4.95.

[Shelley]

I had to read Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife for my book club and figure that it fits here. It is much taking about the science part going back to the seances of the 1800s and up to near death experiences of current heart patients. Mary Roach, the author, adds funny commentary that keeps it from getting too dry and has similar type books of other subjects. If you are looking for a light, science/history book for this category, you can see if any of her topics interest you (food, space, sex...)

[Nadine in NY]

Aly wrote: "Would y'all consider The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women to be a microhistory? I'm about to start it and it would be cool if it counted."

Yes, I think that counts. (I REALLY didn't like that book, though! But I'm in the minority on that, and I realize that's not what you're asking anyway!!)

[Nadine in NY]

I read The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars for this category. I was disappointed in the book, AND I found it to be a bit too rambling to feel like a "micro" history, but ... I read it specifically for this prompt, so I'm counting it for now.

[Aly]

Nadine wrote: "Aly wrote: "Would y'all consider The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women to be a microhistory? I'm about to start it and it would be cool if it counted."

Yes, I..."

May I ask why you didn't like it? I'm always looking for input, even if I haven't read the book yet.

[Nadine in NY]

I didn't like the writing.

If I'm Interneting correctly today, this should link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Anna]

Nadine wrote: "I read The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars for this category. I was disappointed in the book, AND I found it to be a bit too ..."

Funny: I picked this up from the library display, intrigued by the concept. Then didn't open it before the due date, renewed it, and took it back unread.

I don't feel so bad about that now!

[Nadine in NY]

LOL The Glass Universe is a book that was worth writing, but not worth me reading. I think it would appeal most to people REALLY interested in Harvard history.

[Tania]

I read Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife. If you like math or history, this is an interesting read.

[Melissa]

So I currently have Foreign Service: Five Decades on the Frontlines of American Diplomacy completed for this prompt.

BUT

I was just approved for an ARC of Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock and if I have time to read it, I may substitute this in since I think it's technically more of a microhistory.

[Motheo234]

Hey everyone, I'm currently reading Alvin Blanco's "The Wu-Tang Clan and RZA" but I'm not really sure if it counts as a microhistory.

[Patricia]

Just finished The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard. Was well written and fun to read about a lesser-known aspect of the race for the bomb and the effect on those developing it.

[Patricia]

Japanese Zen Gardens

[Tania]

I also read this for True Crime, but I recommend The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective. It's a fascinating look into the Constance Kent case, and it covers the history of the case as well as the formation of the concept of the detective.

[Melissa]

I randomly picked up Argo by Antonio Mendez - it could have fit into the "book made into a movie you've already seen", except I haven't seen it. Those who have read this book, do you think it fits as a microhistory?

[Laura]

Motheo234 wrote: "Hey everyone, I'm currently reading Alvin Blanco's "The Wu-Tang Clan and RZA" but I'm not really sure if it counts as a microhistory."

Yep, it definitely would since it focuses on a very specific topic.

[Megan]

I highly recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, it was just a good story, well rounded!