History: Actual, Fictional and Legendary discussion
Getting Started: Introduce Yourself
Hello everyone! My name is Lisa and I love historical fiction. My favorite reads are based more on medieval time periods, but I'm down for anything if it draws me in. Right now I reside in Katy, Tx and I've ventured into the author side of the of the book world. However, it's nice to curl up and get lost in someone else's world... So here i am!
I just finished reading a book from another genre so I'm in the market for a new read. Ah the "dating scene" ...i love it ;)
Hello everyone! I'm so so thrilled to have found you folks. I've always had a wicked fascination for anything ancient Egypt and can't get enough of it. And only recently I realized I haven't been active on Goodreads as much as I'd like, and what better place to find people who have similar interests? Looking to expand my historical fiction reading as well as alternate history reading (HUGE fan of that, too!).Hope to make some new friends. :)
Ed wrote: "Here you can tell us something about your own history and/or what you are doing now. Anything you want to say so that we see you as something more than a user-id. Likes and dislikes are always ..."
Hello! I'm Judith Thomson and I would like to join your group. I am a Goodreads author and the period I am most interested in is the seventeenth century, in both England and France. My novel 'Designs of a Gentleman' is set at that time and and I write a blog based on events 350 years ago. Whilst my research has been around the events of that century, I love to read other authors' books set in completely different historical periods, such as Bernard Cornwall's Uhtred adventures, and Simon Scarrow's tales of the Roman army. I am currently reading C.J. Sansom's 'Revelation', about a lawyer living at the time of Henry V111. Anyone else love those authors? I never enjoyed history at school but reading historical novels sparked my interest and made me want to learn more and to write about it. I think I suddenly realised that history was about people, not just dates and battles!
Hello Judith! While i did love history in school, i think it was for the exact reason you stated. I kept picturing what it was like to live in that time.Welcome to the group!
Thanks, Lisa! I haven't joined a group before so this is all new to me! I am looking forward to making new friends. I really love going round old houses and castles and imagining what it must have been like to live in them! I think, in a way, I experience the past through my characters, which is one reason I enjoy writing.
I know what you mean, Judith, about loving old houses. I can remember even as a teen seeing a beautiful old home and making up stories in my head about who might have lived there. I didn't know then that I would eventually write historical fiction.
Lisa wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Lisa and I love historical fiction. My favorite reads are based more on medieval time periods, but I'm down for anything if it draws me in. Right now I reside in Katy, ..."
Lisa - Patrick O'Bian's series of "Master and Commander" may be appealing to you. Excitement when the British navy was supreme.
Judith wrote: "Ed wrote: "Here you can tell us something about your own history and/or what you are doing now. Anything you want to say so that we see you as something more than a user-id. Likes and dislikes ..."
Judith - I just recommended "Master and Commander" series, by Patrick O'Brien, to Lisa. Quick moving action of British naval warfare at that time.
Thanks, Barry. Because I focused on American history prior to 1900, the exploration of the American West is one of my favorite topics. I will add it to my TBR list.
Hey Barry, thank you for the recommendation! I'll check it out. I haven't really read much with military or naval..pirates don't count right?
Hello I'm Nick with a free Ebook download, Sea Tales South Beach Miami, The old South Beach, interesting facts, from where I spent many years surfing and being a kid in the 1960s'.
This is a prequel to Sea Tales The Guardianship, where mythology, sci-fi, true historical events and current times clash...................
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/nick+...
This Thing of Darkness is a book I would love to recommend. The voyage on HMS Beagle captained by Robert Fitzroy in the company of trainee Geologist Charles Darwin. They explored the South Coast of Sth America and around the cape of Tierra del Feugo. This voyage was one of discovery for both Fitzroy and Darwin, meeting the local natives never before seen by Westerners and, for Darwin, eye-opening experiences of new land formations and flora.It is the best type of Historical Fiction, heavily researched and a great read. I read it so long time ago and still think of it as very informative and enjoyable.
Jonita wrote: "I know what you mean, Judith, about loving old houses. I can remember even as a teen seeing a beautiful old home and making up stories in my head about who might have lived there. I didn't know t..."Jonita wrote: "I know what you mean, Judith, about loving old houses. I can remember even as a teen seeing a beautiful old home and making up stories in my head about who might have lived there. I didn't know t..."
Hi Jonita. One of my most amazing experiences was visiting Louis X1V's Chateau of Versailles. When I walked around the beautiful gardens I felt as though I belonged there! That inspired me to write about it. You will know what I mean!
Terri wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm so so thrilled to have found you folks. I've always had a wicked fascination for anything ancient Egypt and can't get enough of it. And only recently I realized I haven't been a..."Hi Terri, I share your fascination for ancient Egypt and was lucky enough to visit Luxor and Cairo a few years ago. Couldn't believe I was actually seeing the Pyramids! Have you ever read a book called "The Murder of Tutankhamen" by Bob Brier? It's intriguing, real events but presented as a murder mystery, and you may like it.
My husband told me about the project yesterday. I hope it gets the treatment it deserves. I have read several of Larson's books and like them all. This, especially, was intriguing. I learned a lot about history.
Hi Ed and Group Readers:I am new to the group and modern and historical suspense author with two new suspense novels coming out in Sept/Oct 2015 (The Slush Pile Brigade and Blind Thrust). I am a history buff and historical fiction aficionado and tend to work in a lot of historical nuggets into my books. I enjoy new books with a fresh look on historical topics. My ancestors were Western writers (Thomas B. Marquis, who spoke Indian sign language and wrote several books on Custer and the Little Bighorn from the Cheyenne perspective based on Indian interviews; and Pulitzer-prize winner Marquis James, author of The Raven and Cherokee Strip). My favorite authors and historical areas are the following:
Pirates - Golden Age of Piracy
David Cordingly, Marcus Rediker, and Colin Woodard
Plains Indian Wars
N.C. Gwynne, Hampton Sides, Robert Utley
World War II
I loved Rick Atkinson's new WWII Liberation Trilogy, which was what inspired me to write my second WWII suspense novel Roman Moon: An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and the Guns at last Light.
I like various historical fiction books and writers who either write historical fiction or have dabbled in it: Michael Shaara, Jeff Shaara, Ken Follett (Eye of the Needle, Key to Rebecca, Jackdaws, A Dangerous Fortune, etc), Daniel Silva (The Unlikely Spy), Stephen Hunter (Hot Springs and Havanna), as well as James Thayer, James Clavell, Jack Higgins). My favorite historical fiction book of all time is Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels, which won the Pulitzer Prize.
Glad to be in the new group!
Samuel Marquis
Suspense Author
History Nut
Lacrosse Player
I forgot to add, if you come across new great non-fiction or fictional works on the Golden Age of Piracy, the Plains Indian Wars, or WWII, please let me know. I am a voracious reader and am always looking for new, great reads in these specific areas for both personal enjoyment and research for my modern-day and historical suspense novels.Thanks!
Samuel i just finished The Raven and it blew me away. Another pulitzer winner I believe.
Hi! I an new to the historical fiction group. I personally love most historical fiction, particularly authors like Anya Seton, Phillipa Gregory, and Diana Gilbaldon, but I don't limit myself as an avid reader to any specific time frame or genre. I also love readong historical classics, which I collect: Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe, Lord Byron,Sir Author Conan Doyle. Any and all as long as the history is accurate and the writing is supetb. I am an avid reader, reviewer, and author in multiple genres. I have just recently (June 2015) released the first in a series of YA to Adult history-based Astral Investigative Episodes, a modern American 17-year old girl and a young British Lord from 1774 Colonial Boston team up to aid lost souls caught in the repetitive acts which led to their death.
I am currently working on a historical fiction novel based on fact, inspired by a past-life hypnotic regression.
I am pleased to be a member of a like-minded group where readers enjoy reading and learning from history in all genres.
I just wrote an introductory comment on myself as a new member, edited it and now can't find it. Doesn't look llke it posted. How do you go from edit preview back to post. GoodReads is an odd system I'm not used to. Time to give up, I guess, rather than be laughed at.
Deborah it looks like the original posted ok - no worries.Deborah wrote: "I just wrote an introductory comment on myself as a new member, edited it and now can't find it. Doesn't look llke it posted. How do you go from edit preview back to post. GoodReads is an odd syste..."
Ed wrote: "Here you can tell us something about your own history and/or what you are doing now. Anything you want to say so that we see you as something more than a user-id. Likes and dislikes are always ..."
Hello, I am new to this group. I am a complete luddite when it comes to navigate sites, posts, etc. So please bear with me.
I was born in Romania, raised in Iran and now live in Canada. To make this more complicated, I am of Austrian-Romanian-Armenian-Jewish and Christian descent. I love books that address the cultural, political and religious realities of the regions I am most familiar with, to wit all of the above. My favourite authors (non-fiction) are Amir Taheri and Thomas Friedman. Also loved Leon Uris "the Haj". Should be compulsory reading for anybody interested in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. I worked for the United Nations, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and then established my own international management consulting firm, working primarily in the Middle East and the "Stans". I am now retired and my husband and I (and our wonderful pit bull, Tiger) spend winters in Arizona.
I wrote my memoir 'NO LABELS" (www.monicagurdjian.com), which demonstrates that our humanity not our labels define us. I am looking forward to interesting discussions, reading interesting books and learning from other members. And in the spirit of shameless self-promotion, I am hoping that you will give NO LABELS a chance and tell me what you think.
Lissa wrote: "Deborah it looks like the original posted ok - no worries.Deborah wrote: "I just wrote an introductory comment on myself as a new member, edited it and now can't find it. Doesn't look llke it post..."
Lissa, Is this how I post a reply ... in the same comment box? So different than all the other social media I have used. Thanks for letting me know my posting was on the thread. Still trying to get the hang of it. Looks like a great group of readers and writers.
I think you can tell the difference in a reply vs a new comment if the comment you are replying to is quoted in the comment box. Deborah wrote: "Lissa wrote: "Deborah it looks like the original posted ok - no worries.Deborah wrote: "I just wrote an introductory comment on myself as a new member, edited it and now can't find it. Doesn't loo..."
Deborah wrote: "Lissa wrote: "Deborah it looks like the original posted ok - no worries.Deborah wrote: "I just wrote an introductory comment on myself as a new member, edited it and now can't find it. Doesn't loo..."
Thanks, Lissa. That's exactly what I was referring to. I really appreciate the assistance.
Hello Everyone,My name is Janet Squires. I'm a writer with a passion for American Frontier history.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My Irish/Cherokee family pioneered their way through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona as ranchers, miners and lawmen.
My favorite outdoor activity is anything I can do on horseback.
I'm a member of Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and Western Fictioneers.
Hi guys! I'm Jenny. I live in the beautiful U.S. Pacific Northwest and I love it here.I'm a lifelong bookworm. History, both fiction and nonfiction,is my very favorite subject. I'm excited to read along with this GoodReads group. It's my first online book club experience.
I like to design 'reading projects' for myself. In 2015 I started a US Presidents study - reading a biography and a complementary history book about something from each President's era. I ended up backing up a little to cover early US history and I figure this is a four-year project!
Additionally, I like to read almost all world history with a focus on a few countries for unknown reasons - Scandinavia (my heritage); India; Japan; France, England, etc.
I love to read historical fiction and biographies and memoirs, too, which are so rich in historical information.
Welcome Jenny, I share your taste in reading material and am looking forward to your posts. We live in Sidney BC, "across" from you.
Lissa wrote: "Samuel i just finished The Raven and it blew me away. Another pulitzer winner I believe."The Raven that you just read was written by my great relative (not sure if he's a great-uncle or great-cousin) Marquis James. He was also the author Cherokee Strip. The Marquis family has a history of writers in the family and writing about Native Americans. My great ancestor Thomas B. Marquis spoke Indian sign language and took the Cheyenne testimony on the Battle of the Little Bighorn from warrior Wooden Leg and a great Cheyenne woman, Kate Bighead, who fought against Custer and was there at the end when the soldiers were defeated. I have a nice little description about Thomas b. Marquis on my authors website if you're interested in Cheyenne history (www.samuelmarquisbooks.com).
Hello everyone! My name is Lou and I live in Mississippi. I hated history with a passion as a child, but recently it has become my new love. Currently, I am captivated by the Civil War period but I love all things related to history. I'm glad I found this group and I look forward to meeting new people and having stimulating discussions.
Hi all!! I'm Jamie and I just moved to Savannah, GA. I love history and I'm having so much fun exploring this beautiful city and learning more about early American History! I love learning and enjoy reading historical fiction and fantasy novels in my spare time!!
Hi all!! I'm Jamie and I just moved to Savannah, GA. I love history and I'm having so much fun exploring this beautiful city and learning more about early American History! I love learning and enjoy reading historical fiction and fantasy novels in my spare time!!
Janet wrote: "Hello Everyone,My name is Janet Squires. I'm a writer with a passion for American Frontier history.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My Irish/Cherokee ..."
Janet wrote: "Hello Everyone,
My name is Janet Squires. I'm a writer with a passion for American Frontier history.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My Irish/Cherokee ..."
Osiyo, Janet. (That's hello in Cherokee.) Both my novels cover history of the old settler or western Cherokees. You might enjoy them. They are set in Arkansas Territory (today Oklahoma). Titles are Journey to an Untamed Land and Look Unto the Fields.
Hi everyone! My name is Matilde, I live in Italy and my passion for historical novels (actual and fictional) started when I was 11. I enjoy almost everything that is set in the past, but ancient Rome and Middle Ages are my true love. I'm sure I'll find a lot of good books with your help, and you can ask me about Italian authors, that will be a pleasure!
Lissa wrote: "Hello all,You may be interested in the Historical Fiction Daily e-newsletter published by the Historical Novel Society. A recent edition is here: http://paper.li/histnovel/1311169881?......"
Thanks Lissa!
Jenny I love your reading project idea. When you say from each president's 'era' what exactly do you mean - his term of office or the broader era such as the Roaring 20s, World War II, etc.? Also, was your book choice strictly about that president or could it be any topic in that era or term? Jenny's Book Life wrote: "Hi guys! I'm Jenny. I live in the beautiful U.S. Pacific Northwest and I love it here.I'm a lifelong bookworm. History, both fiction and nonfiction,is my very favorite subject. I'm excited to rea..."
Interesting that your ancestor's interaction with the Northern Cheyenne closely parallels the subject of your other cousin's biography - Sam Houston also lived with Cherokee, learned their language, and was embraced and trusted by them. Oh and btw nice author website :)Samuel wrote: "Lissa wrote: "Samuel i just finished The Raven and it blew me away. Another pulitzer winner I believe."
The Raven that you just read was written by my great relative (not sure if he's a great-uncl..."
Jenny's Book Life wrote: "Hi guys! I'm Jenny. I live in the beautiful U.S. Pacific Northwest and I love it here.
I'm a lifelong bookworm. History, both fiction and nonfiction,is my very favorite subject. I'm excited to rea..."
Lou wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Lou and I live in Mississippi. I hated history with a passion as a child, but recently it has become my new love. Currently, I am captivated by the Civil War peri..."Hello Lou, I hated history as a child too! Looking back now I don't understand how my teachers could have made such a fascinating subject so boring that I dropped it as soon as I could. Perhaps we enjoy it all the more for having discovered it for ourselves? I'm English and my main passion is 17th century English and French history but we come to your wonderful country every year for a holiday and love discovering your past as well, particularly concerning the Old West and the Native Americans.
Hi, I'm Geoff Lawson from New Zealand and I'm an avid history buff. I've spent a lifetime reading about history - English history, American history, ancient history and so forth. I have also penned two books, one a history print book and the latest is a historical novel which is to some extent an outgrowth of the first one.
I all - I'm Debra and I am from Northwest Indiana - USA. So glad to have found this group. I have been reading some of the original posts to get a feel for what it is like here and I am glad to say that I like what I see. I am new to navigating around gr, but I will try to figure out what is most recently going on here. Are you all reading a certain book together? I love history and have always been drawn to finding out about the histories of not only cultures and civilizations, but the histories of individuals too.
I have not been reading like I should have in recent years so I have been working on that a lot this year. I am very happy to have found goodreads and because of it I have increased my reading by tenfold this year!
Looking very forward to the interaction in this group :)
Janet wrote: "Hello Everyone,My name is Janet Squires. I'm a writer with a passion for American Frontier history.
My interest in the historic West stems from the stories I heard growing up. My Irish/Cherokee ..."
Hi, Janet!
I saw you have interest in American Frontier history, and so do I. Right now, I'm into the transcontinental railroad (I've been watching the show Hell on Wheels lately).
Do you have any suggestions for books about the topic? Just figured I'd ask.
Thanks!
Maddie
(BTW, I know there's Recommendations thread for this, but I haven't gotten any response in there yet.)
Judith wrote: "Lou wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Lou and I live in Mississippi. I hated history with a passion as a child, but recently it has become my new love. Currently, I am captivated by the Ci..."Well Judith, it's nice to meet you. I would love to travel to your country, maybe one day I will. I agree that my passion for history is due, in part, to my own discoveries of facts and such. All during high school I begged my teacher to do something different to make it more interesting.
Hello. I'm John Fulford author of "To Reach the Sea', a history of Bolivia.I'm fascinated by little known places that have extraordinary histories. So many people can't find Bolivia on a map yet it was the center of the Spanish Empire for three hundred years and ruled the entire southern section of South America. It produced(among other things) the mountain of silver that funded the Industrial Revolution. Yet it lost 50% of its territory to greedy neighbors after independence. I feel that we know all too little about our neighbors across the Rio Grande and south of the Panama canal.
Actually, I forgot to say anything about myself. You know ancient Egypt is my passion, but I also read other periods.I'm originally from Scranton, PA, but after some time & other places, we are here in Rochester, NY, retired. I am also a writer. My first book is out- a children's pic book (really kind of a fluke, I'd say). My other is coming soon, a fiction novel, "Women on Fire-Adventure With Flair." I have been writing since I was 8.
I would recomment The Egyptian by Mika Waltari. His other historical novels are great too.
Hi, I'm Neurotic_Princess_Maria (that's MAH-ree-a). The name comes from Nicholas II's third daughter. I am interested in royal history, especially Russia, from after 1700.
Hi. I am an avid reader and writer. I have just completed a book on 16th C. Thai history and just wondered if there is anyone out there who my have an interest in the same subject?
Hello!I'm looking for a birthday present for my boyfriend, and I really hope maybe you guys can help me!
I'm not sure if I even got the right group.. Anyway, if anyone have seen the Netflix show "Narcos", you've probably seen that Pablo Escobar is making some kind of scrapbook. I'm wondering if he actually did that in real life, and if so, whether the book is for sale anywhere. Hope one of you guys can answer me :D
History: Actual, Fictional and Legendary
Books mentioned in this topic
I, Lafayette (other topics)Apocalypse Of The Realm: The Wrath Of The Elephant (other topics)
Deare Sister (other topics)
From Waterloo to Water Street (other topics)
Priests of War (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Gore Vidal (other topics)Erik Larson (other topics)
Louis Bayard (other topics)
Rebecca Pawel (other topics)
Jo Walton (other topics)
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I look forward to reading and discussing books with this group. It looks like a fabulous group!