View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Loz

Moderator Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 160 Location: Brighton
Display Name: Loz McGregor
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:56 am Post subject: Historical hysterics? |
|
|
I'm reading "Elizabeth the Queen" by Alison Weir at the moment. It's the life story of Elizabeth I, and it's surprisingly gripping even though I know what happens next! I'm a bit mad about that time in history and am making my way through a shelfload of books on it. Henry VIII to Liz I is a great time in history IMHO- it's all love, sex, lies, betrayal, death and fantastic looking dresses.
But I was wondering, is anyone else slightly fanatical about a particular period in time or a historical person they just love reading about?
Or am I just very strange?  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Lady Clara

Moderator Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 817 Location: Middle England
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Second world war and 1528 -1603. _________________ Your account has now been activated. Thank you for registering |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
A Random Me
Club Member Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 1305 Location: Hemel Hempstead
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not strange at all. _________________ A Random Me
"If Plan A will result in a smoking crater where the city used to be, they'd probably like if you came up with a Plan B." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Lisa WTS-Collins

Club Member Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 602 Location: NGG Midlands (North west)
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Where to start?????
Franco's Spain '39 - '75.
Ancient Rome - most of it.
Weimar Germany. '20's
USA in the 20's.
But then again I get paid for most of this stuff! _________________ "In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed man is king" - Geert Geerts |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Berry
Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 547 Location: Stirling
Display Name: Blonde Ross
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I always wanted to be really interested in bits of history, I like a bit of Aztec history when I'm in the mood _________________ Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Lady Clara

Moderator Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 817 Location: Middle England
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Berry wrote: | I always wanted to be really interested in bits of history, |
I wouldn't worry - it's not planning on going anywhere or changing suddenly. _________________ Your account has now been activated. Thank you for registering |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Dr Hill

Club Member Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 76 Location: London
Display Name: Graham Hill
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:51 pm Post subject: Historical Hysterics |
|
|
Ancient Rome (all those mad Emperors)
Anything in the horrible histories series, I know they're meant to be for kids, but theres loads of good stuff in them.
18th & 19th century social history, especially the odd stuff, like grave robbers, crime, anything about real people as opposed to Kings and Queens.
The Napoleonic and Revolutionary Wars
Aviation and military history from WW1 & WW2.
Anything else that sparks my interest, for instance if I see a historical film I will quite often try to find a book about it. After watching (with gritted teeth) that Mel Gibson pile of crap "The Patriot", I bought a very good and balanced book on the American War of Independence. There is no record of any British troops burning down churches full of civilians.
One of the best "history books is "What is History" by E H Carr as it makes you look at history critically. For instance who wrote it, who for and why? So Richard the Third becomes a piece of tudor propaganda as opposed to just a good play. _________________ Dr West "Whos going to believe a talking head? Get a job in a sideshow"
Dr Hill "Wessst you bassstarrrd" |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Azathoth

Club Member Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 791 Location: Under the bed...
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well it's an easy mistake to make, y'know. Nazis burning down Temple full of Jews they'd poisoned and British troops burning down churches full of the brave and pure.  _________________
"Yeah, f*ck yellow!" |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
swineherd

Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 107 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Since reading Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, I've been very taken with late 17th, early 18h centuries. Helluva long read, but well worth it. Covers the whole planet. _________________ Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
A Random Me
Club Member Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 1305 Location: Hemel Hempstead
|
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
> There is no record of any British troops burning down churches full of civilians.
I seem to recall after making the film they ended up having to make an apology to the descendants of one of the characters (possibly a name change too), though this is only dimly remembered so I might not be correct.
I definitely recall hearing how they'd edited out what they deemed to be the more "unsavoury" traits from the main character they'd based it off to be a more likeable hero. _________________ A Random Me
"If Plan A will result in a smoking crater where the city used to be, they'd probably like if you came up with a Plan B." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Tripitaka

Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Display Name: Toni Bonner
|
Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Emperors Julius Caesar and Vespasian.
Alcibiades. _________________ What would Yoda do? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Janet

Club Member Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 247 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA
|
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wars of the Roses and the Meiji Restoration
I was also inspired to look into the period surrounding the Glorious Revolution by Neal Stephenson's Baroque Trilogy. My sister lent me a book on the Winter Queen, which is either an Alison Weir or a Jean Plaidy, if memory serves me correct. Unfortunately my enthusiasm didn't last very long as it's still sitting on my writing desk waiting to be read. _________________ Anyone you can hate, I can hate better. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|