The History Book Club discussion

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ARCHIVE > ARCHIVE ONE: PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF ~

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message 1351: by Manybooks (new)

Manybooks Thanks for the welcomes, everyone. Looking forward to reading and discussing history.


message 1352: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Gundula. Glad to have you with us.


message 1353: by Tracy (new)

Tracy Wendt (wendtastic) I'm Tracy and I live in Montana. I'm very impressed with how organized this site is.

My reading preferences are pretty diverse, but I do tend to prefer non-fiction. I'm on a history of American government/American presidents kick lately. I'm specifically looking for a fantastic book about Thomas Jefferson, but I'm also interested in any others related to the history of the founding of our country. So far, John Adams, A. Lincoln, and Nothing To Fear have been my favorites...


message 1354: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Jul 12, 2010 04:37AM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello Tracy. Welcome to the History Book Club.

I am sure you will have a great time discussing great books and great moments in history with the rest of the group.

When referring to a book it's requested that you use the add book/author feature to show the book and author like this:


Nothing to Fear FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America by Adam Cohen Adam Cohen

Nothing to Fear Lessons in Leadership from FDR by Alan Axelrod Alan Axelrod

I was not sure which one you meant so that is another reason to follow the group's format.

Also, we have just completed the following book on Jefferson:

American Sphinx The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis Joseph J. Ellis Joseph J. Ellis

I am sure that Bryan, one of our assisting moderators, can recommend some others.

Also, I am adding both Adams and A. Lincoln because when mentioning folks who have authored material or books, we note them as well.

John Adams John Adams

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln

Below are some links that will help you navigate the History Book Club and show you what our requirements are.

It would be very helpful if you took the time to familiarise yourself with these:

Policies & Practices
(this one is helpful for when you want to add book covers and author's photo's/links)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

and:

Orientation & Roadmap

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Thank you for your kind words. We have a good group and a fine group of assisting moderators.

Bentley


message 1355: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Tracy, welcome to the group, I am sure you will have a fun time discussing great history books with everyone here.


message 1356: by Elizabeth S (last edited Jul 17, 2010 01:02PM) (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Tracy. This is the place to come for good non-fiction history reads and discussions. We do have a small historical fiction section, but the focus is non-fiction. I hope you find good books and enjoy discussions them.


message 1357: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Tracy,welcome. Plenty to explore among the various discussion threads including a US Presidents series with a subsection for each President. The pointers Bentley gave you will be helpful in getting you into the swing of things. Enjoy!


message 1358: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome Tracy. Feel free to pop on over to the Presidential Series to look at what he posted, or feel free to ask me about TJ books.


message 1359: by Janet (new)

Janet I'll probably be more of a lurker than contributor, but this looks like an intriguing group.


message 1360: by Caterina (last edited Jul 17, 2010 08:47AM) (new)

Caterina | 2 comments I'm Caterina. Despite having spent most of my life with my nose in a book, I'm fairly new to reading history for fun. Got started courtesy of Modern Library's list of 100 top non-fiction books. Now working through Their Finest Hour, the second in the History of WWII by Winston S. Churchill and finding it fascinating.
One other point - I'm an aspiring nonfiction writer and soon-to-be MFA student.
(I tried the add book/author link and this is what I got)


message 1361: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hi Stanley's Mom and hello Caterina...welcome. We do have some minimum requirements which are not too difficult to maintain.

GUIDELINES:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

ORIENTATION:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Hopefully, you will acclimate yourself to the requirements and will jump right into the conversations.

Also, we have as a requirement that when adding books or doing citations of any kind that the book cover, author's photo if available and author's link must be added. That enables the goodread's software to do its job and populate our group site.

Therefore, your adds would look like this. The book link add might have been acting up.

Their Finest Hour (Second World War) by Winston S. Churchill Winston S. Churchill Winston S. Churchill

The Second World War (Six Volume Boxed Set) by Winston S. Churchill Winston S. Churchill Winston S. Churchill

There is also a Mechanics thread which helps with information on how to do the above. Here is the link:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

If you have any questions about any procedures or policies and/or just how things work in the group, please do not hesitate to call upon either myself or one of the assisting moderators. We are always happy to help out.

Caterina, I also like non fiction, mysteries, thrillers, etc. but I do love history as well. I created this group to inspire me to complete some of those books that I have always wanted to read.

Hope both of you enjoy the group. It is a great bunch of folks.

Bentley


message 1362: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Hi Stanley's Mom & Caterina, glad you joined us.


message 1363: by Elizabeth S (last edited Jul 17, 2010 01:08PM) (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Stanley's Mom and Caterina. Hope you enjoy reading and discussing (and lurking) with us! What a fun list to work your way through (the top 100 non-fictions).


message 1364: by Michael (new)

Michael Flanagan (loboz) Gidday Stanley's Mom and Caterina, hope you enjoy this group as much I do.


message 1365: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
I have to ask this (Stanley's Mom) - is your avatar a picture of Stanley. If it is, a very cute dog.


message 1366: by Janet (new)

Janet Bentley wrote: "I have to ask this (Stanley's Mom) - is your avatar a picture of Stanley. If it is, a very cute dog."

Yes, that's Stanley. Thanks for the compliment ... I assume your striking avatar is a special friend of yours, too. Is that Bentley (or is that assuming too much!)?


message 1367: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi to both Stanley's Mom and Caterina, hope you both have a great time here chatting with the group about your favourite history books.


message 1368: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Stanley's mom and Caterina, welcome.


message 1369: by K (last edited Jul 18, 2010 04:29AM) (new)

K | 1 comments Hello everyone,

My name is Katrina. As an incoming university freshman (term starts at the end of August), I'm at-the-bottom-of-the-totem-pole in most aspects, particularly in the accumulation of vast gobs of knowledge, but I'm eager to scrape up some particles of the diverse intellect I have thus far observed on this book club's page.

I'm greatly looking forward to exploring more nonfiction with you all, because I, too, like all members of this group, love to read.
:)


message 1370: by Michael (new)

Michael Flanagan (loboz) Welcome to Katrina. Enjoy scraping away :)


message 1371: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Stanley's Mom wrote: "Bentley wrote: "I have to ask this (Stanley's Mom) - is your avatar a picture of Stanley. If it is, a very cute dog."

Yes, that's Stanley. Thanks for the compliment ... I assume your striking a..."


Of course..and say hello to Stanley for me.


message 1372: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Katrina wrote: "Hello everyone,

My name is Katrina. As an incoming university freshman (term starts at the end of August), I'm at-the-bottom-of-the-totem-pole in most aspects, particularly in the accumulation of ..."


Glad to have you Katrina. I hope you enjoy your time here.


message 1373: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Katrina! We are glad you found us. Enjoy!


message 1374: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome Katrina. When you feel like you are at the bottom of the heap, it helps to have an online place like this where it doesn't matter. As you said, we all like to read and that puts us all in the same boat. :)


message 1375: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Katrina, welcome to the group, I'm sure you'll have an enjoyable time here.


message 1376: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome Katrina!


message 1377: by [deleted user] (new)

I'm doing this a little backwards. I stumbled on the thread about Patrick O'brian elsewhere and posted there, then I figured courtesy (and the guidelines)demand that I return here and say a little about myself.

I live in eastern Massachusetts with my wife, two children, and two guinea pigs (kids are hard, guinesa pigs are hell) I do a lot of community activities, I play music, I practice law, and someday I may get good at it.

I really like reading, all sorts of books, mystery, literature(whatever that means) sci-fi, historical fiction, and of course, history. I wrote a nvoel myself which you can check out on my reading list whatever thingie. Or not.

I'm intrigued by this club because I majored in history in college, I still read it a lot, I've had a lot of thoughts about what I've read over time and I'd love to have a forum to share ideas with others.


message 1378: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Welcome Christopher,

Glad you already joined in the conversation here. You handled the author aspect extremely well. We do not allow any self promotion here and you were kind enough to follow our guidelines.

I am glad that you were able to participate in the Master and Commander discussion.

Please refer to message 1420 for important information about rules, guidelines, orientation, etc.

You have certainly come to the right place to discuss your ideas; and there are many different forums to do so here.

All best,

Bentley


message 1379: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome, Christopher and we look forward to your posts.


message 1380: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Christopher and Heather! Glad you found the group. We look forward to your participation.


message 1381: by Bryan (last edited Jul 20, 2010 09:23AM) (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome Heather. Message 1420 should steer you to the right links for all the guidelines.

There is a good diversity here, so I hope you enjoy the discussions.

If you need more of a Canadian history fix, feel free to suggest a thread in our box:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...


message 1382: by [deleted user] (new)

To Bentley, Bryan, Alisa and all other moderators (and those who have joined the group) Is there a thread where the moderators discuss new topics for the group, or should I just enjoy myself wandering around through the threads and speak up when the spirit moves. Thanks.


message 1383: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Hi Christopher:

Feel free to wander and respond to any of the threads you find interesting to you.

If you desire a new topic that hasn't been brought up in any way, go to the Suggestion Box and ask away.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...


message 1384: by Evelina A. (new)

Evelina A. (amerigo) | 2 comments Hi everyone, I'm Evelina. I like to read historical fiction, history, and biographies of historical figures. I look forward to exploring this group more.


message 1385: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Evelina, welcome to the group. There is much to explore so dive in wherever you see topics and discussions that interest you. Message 1420 in this thread offers pointers to our guidelines and policies and if you have questions about anything please feel free to ask. Enjoy!


message 1386: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Hi Evelina, glad you joined us.


message 1387: by Sharon (new)

Sharon Stone Hi, everyone. I'm Sharon. I live near Austin, TX, with my husband, 14-year-old daughter (also an avid reader) and two dogs. I have fairly eclectic reading interests, but tend to read more non-fiction than fiction. I am particularly interested in 20th century American history and late medieval/early Renaissance Europe, but I am hoping to also learn more about African, Middle Eastern and Asian history. This looks like a really well-organized and active group, so I look forward to reading and participating in future discussions.


message 1388: by [deleted user] (new)

Hello All.

I'm interested in browsing and sharing: seeing what others are reading, finding books I may have missed, and passing along recommendations for like minds. I just joined Goodreads, which is how I found this group. I'm not interested in assigned reading (as in a book group -- I already belong to book groups), so if that's the emphasis here, I may not be a match.

My historical bent is 19th and 20th century American history, particularly:Western expansion, East Asian relations,and the air force.

I recently finished reading:
"Dominion from Sea to Sea" by Bruce Cumings (2009) (amazing!)
"Regeneration Through Violence: The Mythology of the American Frontier" by Richard Slotkin (1973) (wow! -- can't believe I'm just getting around to this one)

I'm 52, grew up in Alexandria, VA, now live in Knoxville, TN, have degrees in American history and journalism, and have been working as a writer and editor since 1981.

I haven't ventured very far exploring this site, but I couldn't find a spot for setting up a member info page. Is there one?


message 1389: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Hi Sharon and Melissa, welcome.

Glad you could join us.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. (There is a link on the top right of the reply box.) It makes things so much easier for people to see your book recommendations, because they can see the cover and the links to the author. And it helps the goodreads software connect books with groups that talk about them. This is how the books you've mentioned should look:

Dominion from Sea to Sea Pacific Ascendancy and American Power by Bruce Cumings by Bruce Cumings

Regeneration Through Violence The Mythology of the American Frontier, 1600-1860 by Richard Slotkin by Richard Slotkin

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Take a few moments to read our policies:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

and our guidelines:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask us moderators. I look forward to your postings.


message 1390: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Melissa wrote: "Hello All.

I'm interested in browsing and sharing: seeing what others are reading, finding books I may have missed, and passing along recommendations for like minds. I just joined Goodreads, whic..."


Melissa, when you talk about a members profile, do you mean a profile just for the HBC beyond your goodreads profile? If so, there is no way to do a profile beyond your general one. Someone else might know more about this.


message 1391: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Wow, lots of wonderful new people joining our group in the last day or so! Welcome to Christopher, Heather, Evelina, Sharon, and Melissa.

Christopher - Glad you found and participated in our Master and Commander discussion. It was a good one. Feel free to go back to our discussions on the chapters and add your thoughts, if you'd like.

Heather - Yes, this group is well organized. Bentley is amazing. And it shows in the group. We have a good leader, and good people participating.

Melissa - We certainly have scheduled reads that you can choose to participate in, but it isn't required. There is lots to discuss on various aspects of history. Browse the topics and feel free to join in any of the discussions. If you are looking for a book on a particular subject, you can either ask here:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

or check out the thread devoted to the topic. Either way there are usually lots of people willing to give ideas.

As Bryan said, we don't have History Book Club specific profiles. But do take some time to work on your goodreads profile if you like. You can find that by looking in the upper right-hand corner or any goodreads page and clicking where it says "Hi Melissa".

Let us know if you have any other questions. We're glad to help.


message 1392: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Melissa, welcome and glad you found the group. The only profile I am aware of is the personal page you create for yourself. If you are new to goodreads you might spend some time working with your setting options. As you post in discussion threads, join groups, etc, it will fill out your profile. Hope you enjoy your time here.


message 1393: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Welcome Christopher, Heather, Sharon and Melissa. I go off line for a day and look what happens! Glad to see you all join the History Book Club, I am sure you will all have a fun time discussing great books, people and events in history with all the rest of the crowd here.


message 1394: by Jessie Marie (new)

Jessie Marie (jessiemreads) Hey all. I'm new to the group, name is Jessica. I recently got my degree in Biology but every bone in my body is screaming at me to go back for a second in history. I managed to squeeze in a couple of Ancient Greek courses along with my pre-veterinary studies and I've been hooked since.

I am only minutes old to this group so I've got lots of reading to do on how things work around here. But I did just get my copy of the current Group Read, "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1". Yay for Kindle! : D

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. I by Edward Gibbon


message 1395: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Check out message 1149 Jessica which should help you get started with all of the links to our rules and gudielines

We are happy to have you with us. But make sure to add books like this:

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon Edward Gibbon Edward Gibbon


message 1396: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Jessica! Glad you jumped right in. Much to explore here so make yourself at home. It's a group filled with people of diverse intersts and eager to discuss great books and history.


message 1397: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Jessica, welcome to the group, I am sure you'll have a great time here and hopefully we can chat over in the Ancient History thread about the Greeks & Romans.


message 1398: by Michael (last edited Jul 21, 2010 06:27AM) (new)

Michael Flanagan (loboz) Hi Jessica welcome to the group. I see your a kindle user, did you know The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon by Edward Gibbon is available on the Gutenburg Project for free. As so is so many great classics of our time.


message 1399: by [deleted user] (new)

Thanks for the warm welcome. I figured out the profile thing and now have one. I look forward to browsing!


message 1400: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome Jessica from a fellow history and Kindle fan. Enjoy!


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