The History Book Club discussion

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ARCHIVE > ARCHIVE ONE: PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF ~

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message 2551: by carriedaway (new)

carriedaway Hi all, my name is Carrie. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'm older than I've ever been before in my life and I'm still adjusting to it.

I fell in love with the Tudor era when Henry VIII, first aired on Masterpiece Theater in the 1970's and have branched out a bit since then.

I'm sad that I found this site when you're almost done reading the Federalist Papers! My mother bought a copy early in the year and it would have been a nice introduction to internet groups for her. I'm generally not around too much during tax season, alas, that's when I make my living.

Hmm. I can add books but I'm going to have to figure out the picture part. I see there are some nice links in earlier posts. I'm happy to be here and looking forward to the discussions.


message 2552: by Alisa (last edited Apr 10, 2011 12:21PM) (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Carrie! Great introduction and we are glad you found us. Our club has a diverse membership and a very broad range of historical interests which you will see as you explore the site. It sounds like you have already poked around, and please feel free to join in any of the open discussion threads.

You will want to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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:

The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton


More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...

It is easy once you get the hang of it but if you need any help beyond the links provided here you can drop one of the moderators a message.

Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2553: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Goodness gracious Carrie...we are not even close to being done with the Federalist Papers. We do just one a week and we batch them up; take a break and do a few more. Each one has its own thread so you can jump right in whenever you want. Tell your Mom to join too; we would love to have her too.

The Tudor era is a fun era so we hope you enjoy yourself here.

Bentley


message 2554: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Hi Holly and Carrie, glad you joined us.


message 2555: by Holly (new)

Holly Tucker (holly_tucker) Hi everyone. Delighted, thrilled (!) to have found this group.

I have been a history buff since I was about 13. It happened in an odd way. I had an opportunity to spend a week in France with my school group. One after, we all went out to Versailles to see the Chateau. The problem was, it was closed. All we got to see was the gardens (which were magnificent on their own). Still I bought one of those beautifully photographed tour books, which I kept on my nightstand and looked at--and dreamed about--for several years.

When I finally made it back and got a chance to tour the palace, I had built it up so much in my imagination. Seriously, I probably thought that Louis XIV would greet me at the door. Instead, the place was filled with boisterous school children and plexiglass on the walls.

So I guess it stands to logic, that I've spent the better part of my adult life looking for Louis. In my day job, I teach French history and culture as a professor.

My favorite books are typically set in the 17th century, or in the early-modern period more generally. And over time, my reading tastes have broadened mostly on the history of science and medicine. History, good research, and great writing: I'm there! Lately, I've been plowing through Deborah Blum's books. Smart, very readable.

Glad to be here!


message 2556: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Holly, thanks for the great intro and glad you joined the group. Everyone has their own story of what draws them to history and we are glad you shared yours!

The orientation threads will help you get off to a good start, take a look here:

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...

For the author you mentioned, the cite would be the hyperlink only as there is no photo available and would look like this: Deborah Blum

Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2557: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Welcome Holly and Carrie, I hope you both enjoy your time here chatting about great books and authors.


message 2558: by carriedaway (new)

carriedaway Thank you for the warm welcomes! I'm especially happy to hear the news about Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers (Penguin Classics) by Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers.

I've branched out a bit from the Tudor era, 1632 (Assiti Shards, #1) by Eric Flint 1632(no author photo) has me interested in the Thirty Years War in the German provinces.


message 2559: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Carrie there is an author photo for this book, and looks like you inserted the book link instead of the author link. When you are in the add book/author feature you have to click on the author tab when you are selecting the author, I think that may have been the source of your confusion. Good first effort. You will pick it up I am sure.

here it is all in one place:
1632 (Assiti Shards, #1) by Eric Flint by Eric Flint Eric Flint


message 2560: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Glad to see Carrie and Holly here. Enjoy.


message 2561: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Carrie. I love your screen name, "carriedaway." Very clever. Sounds like you have some great historical interests. You're going to fit right in!


message 2562: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Holly. What a great story about becoming a history buff. How appropriate!

And by the way, when you mention an author, even if you don't mention the book, please provide the link. One of the many reasons is that it helps us know for sure which author you are referring to. Is this the Deborah Blum you're reading through?

(no author photo) Deborah Blum


message 2563: by carriedaway (last edited Apr 11, 2011 10:48AM) (new)

carriedaway Elizabeth S wrote: "Welcome, Carrie. I love your screen name, "carriedaway." Very clever. Sounds like you have some great historical interests. You're going to fit right in!"

Thanks, Elizabeth S! I'd been tempted to go with carrieingon but the hideous misspelling and unfortunate association with carrion......


message 2564: by carriedaway (new)

carriedaway Alisa wrote: "Carrie there is an author photo for this book, and looks like you inserted the book link instead of the author link. When you are in the add book/author feature you have to click on the author tab..."

Thanks, Alisa. I did actually figure it out (thankfully it was easy) but the author photo literally said "No Photo Available" and was a head icon. Of course, I'd been diverted to a screen reading "GoodReads is temporarily down" all day, so that might explain it.

I'm curious, why would you want the author link and not the actual book I'm citing? I don't always particularly care for all their works.


message 2565: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (last edited Apr 11, 2011 11:17AM) (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Carrie,

If you check our rules and guidelines, you will see that when citing a book, we alway add the bookcover, the author's photo when available and always the author's link.

When citing just simply an author, we must cite the author's photo when available and always the author's link. Both Alisa and Elizabeth were trying to help out and give you some advice so that you would be following our guidelines which are not optional for citations.

If you do not care for a particular author, you would still do the above and then the readership would be absolutely sure who you were discussing and at the same time the goodreads software would be able to populate our site correctly.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Bentley


message 2566: by carriedaway (last edited Apr 11, 2011 04:11PM) (new)

carriedaway Bentley,

Oh yes, I'm aware of and have no issues regarding following your rules or guidelines, I was just curious as to what prompted the rule in the first place. It was not my intention to flout them. I appreciate the help extended to me as a newbie.

Carrie


message 2567: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Thank you Carriedaway.

We have rules and guidelines which over the years have benefited the group and its members and the need for each and every rule and guideline to be explained is something we do not do especially on the introduction thread for newcomers.


message 2568: by carriedaway (new)

carriedaway Bentley,

Certainly I defer to your judgment. It was idle curiosity on my part and I in no way intended to take up so much of your time on an introduction thread indulging me.

Carrie


message 2569: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
That is OK. Thank you for your explanation.


message 2570: by carlos (new)

carlos (danyd82) | 3 comments Good morning all,

My name is Carlos, I am 28 years old, newly married and I am happy to announce that I am the brand new daddy of a beautiful baby girl named Scarlett.

I have been a book fanatic/collector for as long as I can remember. Mostly history books, bibliographies, and non-fiction. If its a fiction book, I prefer those books that are considered classics.

The last few years, the books that i have read have been mostly for school. However, now that I am finished with college and currently in limbo (between work and continuing my education) I began reading for myself. About a few months ago I picked up a book that I never got a chance to finish (sitting in my shelf for over a year) and finally finished it. Its been all down hill from there (or is it up hill? being that reading is good)...well whatever the case is I am happy that I started reading again...once I found this site, I felt like I was home.

I have never been part of a book club before so hopefully I can fit in with all of you great people.


message 2571: by Elizabeth S (last edited Apr 12, 2011 04:39AM) (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Uphill or downhill, we are glad to have you, Carlos. There are lots of great discussions going on in the group, so keep reading and join in!

When you comment, be sure to always site any books or authors you mention using the "add book/author" feature provided by goodreads. It makes things so much easier for people to see what book you are talking about, 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. And it is a requirement for our group. Here is an example of how a book should look:

Legacy of Ashes the History of the CIA by Tim Weiner Tim Weiner Tim Weiner

If you are unsure how to do this, either ask one of us moderators for help or go to the following thread for more information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Please also take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

And congratulations on Scarlett! What a blessing.


message 2572: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Carlo, welcome to the group and I hope you enjoy your time here discussing great books and authors. It's good to see another 'book fanatic/collector' join the club!


message 2573: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Hello Carlos,

Welcome to the History Book Club. We are glad to have you with us and hope you enjoy many other great books while you are here.

Bentley


message 2574: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome Carlos and I'm glad you joined our group. It is nice to start reading for yourself after schooling. I hope you find some interesting posts and join in.


message 2575: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Hello Carlos, welcome. We are glad you discovered the group and hope you enjoy your experience. No matter what brings you here, there is always some interesting discussions going on so please join in wherever you are inspired to do so. We look forward to your contributions.

And congratulations on being a new dad - very exciting!


message 2576: by carlos (new)

carlos (danyd82) | 3 comments Thanks everyone for being so warm and welcoming!...I could already sense this is the beginning of something wonderful...thanks everyone!


message 2577: by Tessa (new)

Tessa (tessaslingerland) Sorry, almost forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Tessa (named after my aunt, who was named after Tess of the d'Urbervilles, my grandfathers favourite book). I'm from the Netherlands. I'm a librarian and a translator.
I love reading books about history; both fiction and non-fiction. Anything, from WWII to the Romans, from the Virgin Queen to prehistoric monuments.

I hope to read and discuss a lot of new book with you all.


message 2578: by Alisa (last edited Apr 13, 2011 12:37PM) (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Tessa, we are glad to have you here. With your varied interests I am sure you will find much here to discuss with other members.

As you get started, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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:
Tess of the D'Urbervilles  by Thomas Hardy Thomas Hardy by Thomas Hardy

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...


Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2579: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Glad you joined us Tessa, welcome.


message 2580: by 'Aussie Rick' (last edited Apr 13, 2011 01:42PM) (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Tessa, welcome to the group and I'm looking forward to chatting with you more about good books covering the period from the Romans to WW2 :)


message 2581: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Welcome Tessa, we are glad to have you with us.

Bentley


message 2582: by carlos (new)

carlos (danyd82) | 3 comments Hi Tessa welcome to the group


message 2583: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome Tessa. Sounds like you have a great range of interests. I hope you find good books and discussions here.


message 2584: by Shovelmonkey1 (new)

Shovelmonkey1 Hello, I've just found this group on goodreads! I'm an archaeologist. I lecture at a UK university and also run excavations. My specialist interests are Maritime Archaeology and History, African History including the colonial period and also Near Eastern Archaeology of the Neolithic. I live in the UK at the moment but I have lived and worked for research purposes in Turkey, Jordan and Ireland. I'm looking forward to finding out what other people are reading and also which books people recommend.


message 2585: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Shovelmonkey1. Appropriate screen name for an archaeologist. :) Glad to have you join us. There are lots of great discussions going on in the group, so read and join in!

When you comment, be sure to always site any books or authors you mention using the "add book/author" feature provided by goodreads. It makes things so much easier for people to see what book you are talking about, 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. And it is a requirement for our group. Here is an example of how a book should look:

Legacy of Ashes the History of the CIA by Tim Weiner Tim Weiner Tim Weiner

If you are unsure how to do this, either ask one of us moderators for help or go to the following thread for more information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Please also take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

See you around in the threads.


message 2586: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Shovelmonkey1 ~ We are glad you found the group and look forward to your participation.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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 mention should look:

Legacy of Ashes the History of the CIA by Tim Weiner by Tim Weiner Tim Weiner

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...

Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2587: by Shovelmonkey1 (new)

Shovelmonkey1 Alisa wrote: "Welcome Shovelmonkey1 ~ We are glad you found the group and look forward to your participation.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. ..."


Thanks for the welcome and advice - i've tried the add books feature now and it has created a link at least.


message 2588: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Craig Welcome, Shovelmonkey1, glad you joined us.


message 2589: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Welcome Shovelmonkey1; what an appropriate name for an archaeologist.

We are happy to have you join us.

Bentley


message 2590: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Shovelmonkey1, welcome to the group, I'm sure you will have a great time here talking about good books and authors and I'll look forward to reading your posts.


message 2591: by Joe (new)

Joe | 5 comments Hello All,

My Name is Joe I'm new to using Goodreads, but am excited to find a group dedicated to all my favorite subjects (History). I started using Kindle, but a negative aspect is that I now jump from download to download (or is it, book to book???).

I just downloaded the book about Harriet Lachs -- which my 28y.o. son loved and recommended. My wife hope that the Kindle will mean fewer books filling the book case, but I don't want to give up any of my old books.

I'm looking forward to this group. Some of what I've read in the past were on the heavy side -- some dry, but interesting information. As I get used to this group, I'll post titles.

Also, on the personal side, I'm early 60's, happily married, and we live in Missouri overlooking a beautiful lake - as the sun sets out our window. AHH!


message 2592: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Welcome Joe, you are among a multitude of history lovers so I am sure you will feel at home.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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, at least I think this is the book which are referring to:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...


Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2593: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Joe. We do all kinds of history, both the heavy and the fun, and sometimes both combined. :) Be sure to post the bookcover and author links anytime you mention a book, even if you aren't specifically recommending it. We'll see you around in the threads!


message 2594: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Joe, welcome to the group, you'll find a few Kindle fans here and lots of good books and authors to talk about as well so have fun :)


message 2595: by Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief (new)

Bentley | 44291 comments Mod
Welcome to the group Joe and I see that all of the assisting moderators have given you some assistance and some helpful links.

Please become familiar with the guidelines; thanks.

Bentley


message 2596: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Nicole, hello and welcome. Thanks for reading the guidelines, much appreciated! The moderators are all volunteers so we have put in the guideliens for the benefit of our club's membership.

You will want to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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 books you mention should look:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...


Otherwise please explore the threads and participate in any discussion that interests you. There are many!

Thanks and glad you joined us.


message 2597: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 2011 comments Welcome, Nicole. We're glad to see you with us! Thanks for reading the guidelines ahead of time. If you are unsure about anything, please ask. We're all volunteers, but we love to help. :)

Here is a link to the American History folders:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

And here is a link to the Military History folders, which includes the American Revolutionary War:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

See you around!


message 2598: by 'Aussie Rick' (new)

'Aussie Rick' (aussierick) Hi Nicole, welcome to the group and I am sure you will find heaps to talk about in the Revolutionary War thread and the Civil war thread, look forward to chatting to you about some good books soon :)


message 2599: by Richard (new)

Richard Munro | 15 comments Hello. I am a teacher of English, Spanish and history (mostly to English learners). I have previously taught AP US history and AP Spanish but lately I have mostly been an ELD/ELL teacher because the greatest need is there. I have a Master's degree in Spanish Literature (emphasis Peninsular Literature) but of course I am great lover of English and British literature, classical literature and American literature. Of course I am reasonably well read in European literature in translation (French/German for example). I am a great enthusiast of history and am constantly reading. I enjoy the history of words and the history of langauges but also military history, classical history, biblical history, American history, Hispanic history. I am very interested in the Spanish Civil War, the American Civil War and other periods of political disunion. I am very interested in the role language and religion play in political union and identity. As a teacher I am a traditionalist; i distrust the Scantron God and if you ask me what's wrong with American education it is excessive superficial teaching and testing. I am not interested in what people can cheat or guess but what they know and how they can express themselves. Testing can be a dipstick but it is not education. I tend to believe it makes school a murder machine of education and culture. I also teach Korean Nuns Spanish voluntarily as well as serve as a youth catechist in my parish. I believe education begins in the home and is essentially all about converting to a new paideia of learning, reading and discussing.


message 2600: by Alisa (new)

Alisa (mstaz) Richard, hello and welcome. We are glad to have you and am sure with your interests you will find plenty here to explore and discuss.

As you get started please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the "add book/author" feature when you comment. 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 books you mention should look:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot Rebecca Skloot

More information:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2878...

Take a moment and look at our orientation thread:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1851...


Thanks and glad you joined us.


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