History is Not Boring discussion
What are you reading?
Michael wrote: "I just finished Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family" I liked this one. Surprised me that I did like it so much as I had read all the others that had come along in yrs past like Miep Gies (Anne Frank Remembered). Did not think there was much else to say on the subject other than to re-read Anne's Diary.
Susan wrote: "Will read is new one on Kennedy assassination but only if I don't pay to read it.."Title & author plse.
Susan, when you click on "add book/author" and type in book title, there's two options below: "link" and "cover". Click "cover" to add the bookcover.This a rule over at the more active History Book Club, but it's not a must for this group.
Hello all- I am just over 80 pages into Panzer Battles: A Study of the Employment of Armor in the Second World War, which so far is well-written and fascinating. The late Generalmajor von Mellenthin was, in my view, a better writer than Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein, whose memoir I found somewhat boring.
I am also reading Forgotten Wars: Freedom and Revolution in Southeast Asia, which is a somewhat more scholarly work, and therefore a slightly more difficult read, but absolutely fascinating nonetheless.
Jerome wrote: "I just finished 
, about the largely forgotten Polish-Soviet War of 1919-1920. I'm researchin..."Jerome-
I just saw your post again about this book- I spent most of yesterday looking at various things online relating to the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and was amazed to discover yet another 2oth Century European conflict of which I was unaware: the Hungarian-Romanian War. I had no idea that the two countries actually fought an entirely separate war in 1919, well after the Armistice! Granted, I have comparatively slight interest in European History as such, but I was still surprised. I haven't come across any books on that conflict so far, but it occurred to me that you might find the subject interesting...
Yeah, this war always intrigued me, Liam (mainly 'cause I don't know a thing about it), but I never really made an effort to actually research the topic.The Ruling Council: The Integration of Transylvania Into Romania, 1918-1920 by Gheorghe Iancu might be a good place to start.
For a good history of Hungary itself, see Miklos Molnar's books.
Jerome wrote: "Yeah, this war always intrigued me, Liam (mainly 'cause I don't know a thing about it), but I never really made an effort to actually research the topic.The Ruling Council: The Integration of Tra..."
There were so many wars in that part of Europe between 1910 and 1925 that it's a bit difficult to keep track of them. That's probably why my great-grandfather got the hell out of Austria-Hungary after his army service & came to the U.S.!
I guess I haven't gotten enough WWII yet, for the moment anyway- I am reading
now, and it's pretty good so far...
Jerome wrote: "Have you read Crankshaw's The Fall of the House of Habsburg?Might be a good place to start."
Yes, and it was o.k., but I thought
was much better...
Mod
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I've finally managed to start this:
.
I'm about a third of the way into
and really enjoying it - already on its way to 5 stars....
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It WAS pretty good. I've also just finished these, which were excellent:
My copy of Perilous Fight: America's Intrepid War with Britain on the High Seas, 1812-1815 arrived today, along with a copy of Guests of the Ayatollah: The Iran Hostage Crisis, The First Battle in America's War With Militant IslamOh, my, where to start?
Well now I'm reading a memoir but it relates to history, modern history, The Color of Atmosphere is about a doctor beginning in the 1980s, and what she went through as medicine changed as she pursued her career until throwing it all in. She was a pediatrician. I really don't see how making a profession unappealing and terrible to be in makes it cost affective.
1984, never read it before, its great!
I just finished
...finally! Now I can seriously start on
, which I am only a few pages into; and am also starting
, which looks quite interesting...
Just finishing up
. Thinking of turning to
just after....
I have a shelf for 'steppe history' -- 113 books -- and this: Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800, begun today, is already a contender for best on the shelf. Contributed by my mother (!) for Christmas. On request, obviously.
Bryn wrote: "I have a shelf for 'steppe history' -- 113 books -- and this: Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800, begun today, is already a contender for best o..."My book on WW2 in China and its impact on the other 3 quarters of of WW2 has just been published. If you're interested in Chinese history it may be just what you want. Excerpts at --
http://numistamp.com/Taierzhuang-1938...
Reading about the nation's interstate system in The Big Roads
~terri wrote: "Currently reading, Destiny of the Republic, A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of the President by Candice Millard. Can hardly put it down!"I loved this book! Candice Millard's other book River of Doubt Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey is amazing as well! I recommend both books :)
Still reading Foreign Military Intervention: The Dynamics of Protracted Conflict; also well into Swords and Plowshares which is quite interesting so far (I am somewhat surprised by this, as I've always had much more respect for Taylor's arch-rival, General James M. Gavin). I have just started Thailand, Burma, Laos & Cambodia as well, which seems to be extremely informative and well-written.
Recently finished Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History and Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of How the Wildest Man in Congress and a Rogue CIA Agent Changed the History of Our Times.Both are movies, and both were quite interesting.
I managed to snag a copy of
at a local bookstore in Valley Forge. I didn't have any cash on me, so I even got it for free.
Jerome wrote: "I managed to snag a copy of at a local bookstore in Valley Forge. I didn't have any cash on me, so I even got it for free."Nice score, Jerome; that is probably the best general history of the wars in Indo-China, and I would definitely recommend it. Karnow's history of the Philippines (
) is actually even better, and I'd recommend that one also if you have any interest in the subject.I am about halfway through
; and also just started
, which is already fascinating. Martin van Creveld is the most brilliant military historian writing these days, for my money, and I have so far never been disappointed by his work...
I really need ideas for my next read!I'm 15 and my I've read three books this year, so far. My last read was actually a re-read of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
I love books from the nineteenth and twentieth century-- any ideas?
Bii_leto wrote: "I love books from the nineteenth and twentieth century-- any ideas? "Sorry, nothing comes to mind. Slim pickin' in those two.
Mod
The list is endless Bii_leto. My first question to you would be fiction or non-fiction and what genre or is there any particular author?
If you're looking for late 19th century history I would suggest:The Last Gunfight
To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West
Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride
For a late 19th century historical read may I suggest aheavy but important book.
The Bloody Shirt: Terror After Appomattox
Another good period book is one that I read a couple of years ago and of an interesting historical figure, William Quantrill. Though there are a couple of places that in dispute I would still rate the book excellent. Quantrill of Missouri: The Making of a Guerrilla Warrior--The Man, the Myth, the Soldier
Bii_leto wrote: "I really need ideas for my next read!I'm 15 and my I've read three books this year, so far. My last read was actually a re-read of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
I love books from the nineteenth..."
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel, Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution, or The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. might fit the bill for your next read. Picking my next read is always just as fun as the reading. Good luck!
Anthony wrote: "Another good period book is one that I read a couple of years ago and of an interesting historical figure, William Quantrill. Though there are a couple of places that in dispute I would still rate ..."Anthony, I actually had this book in my hands when I put it down for the Ten deadly Texans book.
Well TBG, taking into account that Bii_leto is only 15 I would bet your pick Ten Deadly Texansis not as dry as my suggestion.
Just started The Hawk and the Dove: Paul Nitze, George Kennan, and the History of the Cold War by Nicholas Thompson.
History is Not Boring
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Now I've started