History Reference Room (events, origin, battle, Americans)

[RobE]

Rise and Fall of the Great Powers by Paul Kennedy

Should be mandatory reading for every college student and politician. It's not the most fun read in the world, but Kennedy does such a good job of boiling things down in a coherent, cut to the chase way that the lessons in it are easy to absorb.

What was really scary for me the last eight years was watching Bush do everything Kennedy warned against.

The Mitrokhin Archive by Christopher Andrew.

For those fascinated by Cold War intelligence and diplomatic matters, this work, which is culled from documents stolen in trunks and smuggled into the U.S. by a KGB archivist who defected, this is beyond fascinating. Believe me, it will put the whole Soviet-U.S. relationship in a new light for you.

Daniel Boorstin: The Americans

This is a multivolume series and as much information as he packs into it you will not be putting it down. Fun reading, enlightening in exposing often generally unknown aspects of American history and the effects it all had.

Also, don't miss another book of his, The Discoverers. That work will broaden your understanding of the consequences, both good and bad, of innovation.

[jtur88]

Since this thread is here, I'll offer the best history books (as I recall) that I've read:

"The Year of Decision; 1846", Bernard deVoto

"Freedom at Midnignt", Dominique LaPierre and Larry Collins.

As I mentioned in another thread, I read H. G. Wells' "History of the World" as my take-along book on a round-the-world trip, and it was delightful throughout.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Since this thread is here, I'll offer the best history books (as I recall) that I've read:

"The Year of Decision; 1846", Bernard deVoto

"Freedom at Midnignt", Dominique LaPierre and Larry Collins.

As I mentioned in another thread, I read H. G. Wells' "History of the World" as my take-along book on a round-the-world trip, and it was delightful throughout.

I'm a big fan of LaPierre and Collins' historical works, "Freedom at Midnight", "Is Paris Burning?" and "O Jerusalem!"

It's funny that you should mention them because today, among the new video releases that will be in stores, is a film version of "O Jerusalem!"...or at least "Based on" O Jerusalem!

"Is Paris Burning?" was a great book, but the film version of it was awful, coming across almost as a confusing, unedited compilation of documentary film rather than a coherent movie. I hope that they have done a better job with "O Jerusalem!"

[thriftylefty]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

I'm in the middle of reading, "Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West", by Stephen Ambrose. It's a very in depth study on Lewis, his relationship with Jefferson, his friendship with, and trust of, William Clark, and, of course, their journey to the Pacific. So far, it's been a really good read. A lot of detail; things that I didn't know before, (such as how close a friendship there was between Jefferson and Lewis, the amount of educational prep time that Jefferson insisted on Lewis attaining prior to the expedition, and also the fact that Clark was never actually commissioned a captain during the expedition, although the men thought he was on equal footing with Lewis. His commission was as a lieutenant, but only a handful of people knew that for a number of years).

There are many footnotes, and an extensive bibliography. There are a few sketches and maps, though I would have like to have seen more. I actually picked this book up in the little used-book store inside of our small library for one dollar. I almost passed it up, but I'm glad I didn't. It's been very enjoyable, and interesting.

I came across a book by a biologist on the L&C Journey I think the name was Botkin? (On the trail of L&C ?) I have since Loaned it, but if any one knows it I would like the ISBN #, Also if any one knows were a person could review the complete journals (all Volumes) of the Journey as well as all the members Journals. I think Lt. Glass? published one and Maybe Colter? also. A NPS employee published some thing at the 100 year mark(1906) of the journey maybe Wheeling?

[Leovigildo]

15 Most Decisive Battles in World History to 1850

Edward Creasy

I have a very old edition of this book. Fascinating. Very good for kids interested in history.

The Waning of the Middle Ages - Johan Huizinga. Fascinating book that explain the daily life of people during Middle Ages.

[Leovigildo]

And of course...

Napoleon, Emil Ludwig...

And of course..

History of the conquest of Mexico

William H. Prescott

And of course..

History of the Russian Revolution

Leon Bronstein (Leon Trotsky)

The revolt of the Catalans

J.H. Elliot

[Trudy Rose]

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence.
One of the best books ever. He writes about his experiances during the "Side Show" of the War in the Middle East during WW1, and his feelings about being torn between his duty to England and the Arabs.

[j_k_k]

Current read is Six Frigates, the story of the birth of the United States Navy. (The Continental Navy, which effectively ceased to exist by 1777, is not covered.) What I like best about it is the author's ability to showcase knowledge without showing it off. He is well acquainted with nautical realities from the Age of Sail, but only introduces them when directly pertinent to the history. He is quite familiar with the historical backdrop from economics to politics, and his small side trips to characterize a situation or individual are welcome and concise. Frankly, this is some of the most worthwhile history I have ever read.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

Current read is Six Frigates, the story of the birth of the United States Navy. (The Continental Navy, which effectively ceased to exist by 1777, is not covered.) What I like best about it is the author's ability to showcase knowledge without showing it off. He is well acquainted with nautical realities from the Age of Sail, but only introduces them when directly pertinent to the history. He is quite familiar with the historical backdrop from economics to politics, and his small side trips to characterize a situation or individual are welcome and concise. Frankly, this is some of the most worthwhile history I have ever read.

That's a really good one, I learned an enormous amount about the poltiics of that era, plus it was a fun read. How can you not get caught up in the misfortunes and ultimate redemption of William Bainbridge, or the Horacio Hornblower style adventures of Stephen Decatur? I add my endorsement to yours.

[Trotter67]

Amazon.com: The Washing of the Spears: Rise and Fall of the Great Zulu Nation: Donald R. Morris: Books

Fascinating book about the rise and fall of the Zulu Nation.

From humble beginnings to great leadership under Shaka,and defeat and destruction by the British.

A must read for anybody interested in the Zulu nation and the Anglo/Zulu war.

10/10