/hg/ History General: A running thread for discussion of the past

[President Eden]

This idea hit me like 10 minutes ago, I have no idea if it's good but I'll let 'er rip.

I figure there are a great many history aficionados that play here. Why not have a dedicated thread for the exploits and stories of the past?

webDip, where do your historical interests lie?

Speaking for myself, I am fascinated by all things Classical Europe and Near East -- Ancient Greece, Rome, Persia -- and I also find early modern European history (say, 1400-1914) very interesting too. I find military history to be the most interesting aspect of those periods, but geopolitical history (which is often closely related) is interesting too.

[dargorygel]

I like this idea PE... history is my major mind-wandering place. My particulars would include (although it varies) sort of modern Britain, Celtic, those OPPOSED to Rome, and lately early continental America (before colonization.) I also have some even less popular arenas... like church history, Ghengiz Khan, and alternative history.

[CommanderByron]

(I like the idea but since history is so intrinsically tied to politics it should probably be in the politics thread. I’ll bring it up and see if we should move it.)

[CommanderByron]

I like this idea PE... history is my major mind-wandering place. My particulars would include (although it varies) sort of modern Britain, Celtic, those OPPOSED to Rome, and lately early continental America (before colonization.) I also have some even less popular arenas... like church history, Ghengiz Khan, and alternative history.

1491 and 1493 by Charles C Mann

[Octavious]

Is history much more political than anything else?

I've always enjoyed national narratives, and how their accounts of historical periods differ from each other. The popular Russian view of itself continually defeating hostile foreign aggression, for example. How they defeated the Nazis, held off the Western Imperialists that ruled after them, before saving the world from nuclear Armageddon by taking the courageous step to end the cold war. And how, even today, they resist the tyranny of the Western Liberal elite by standing up for the values of the oppressed working classes across Europe.

[CommanderByron]

My concern is mostly that history forms the basis for the politics of today so if we get recent it could get political. But besides that point.

I have been really interested in the history of pre-columbian america. It is so interesting to see how many misconceptions are found in the narrative told in schools.

[President Eden]

I’d really prefer this stay here. I understand the argument for the move but I was hoping keeping it here will ward off unhelpful tangents.

[dargorygel]

I like this idea PE... history is my major mind-wandering place. My particulars would include (although it varies) sort of modern Britain, Celtic, those OPPOSED to Rome, and lately early continental America (before colonization.) I also have some even less popular arenas... like church history, Ghengiz Khan, and alternative history.

1491 and 1493 by Charles C Mann

Aye... have them and read them. He is not respected much by 'scholarship.' But I find his thoughts challenging.

[dargorygel]

I’d really prefer this stay here. I understand the argument for the move but I was hoping keeping it here will ward off unhelpful tangents.

And we can just be diligent. Right? Right? Bueller?

[President Eden]

Heh. If I trusted the denizens of the political board with that, I might've posted it there in the first place :p

It's in your hands. My 2c - I suspect the conversation will be better here. Do what you need to do.

~

Back to history!
dargoygel, do you have a starting point for somebody interested in the history of the Germanic tribes that invaded Western Rome? I am of almost entirely German descent, and it's been difficult for me to find good sources for what the Germanics of antiquity were actually doing, other than crushing Roman legions that got lost in the woods :)

[PRINCE WILLIAM]

I am interested in history from the pre-historical era to modern history but my preference is medieval history both east and west Europe and the Middle East and North Africa.
Because of my interest in history, I was annoyed in the early 90s notion of the End of History (for those too young to remember it was a philosophical school of thought that proposed the end of history as with the fall of the USSR there was only one major power and all the countries that had the power to oppose it was its allies). First the Iraqi attack on Kuwait and then the Yugoslavian war put an end to this notion.

[dargorygel]

President Eden
The trouble is, finding something that writes about more than Roman Bashing as a hobby (or career) for Germanic folk is difficult. Most of what has been written about this era is Romano-centric. But here are some things I have read (in addition to the Agricola, etc.)

Cut and paste from Amazon, I am afraid. And with brief review.

https://www.amazon.com/Early-Germans-Ma ... dpSrc=srch
I only just read this a few months ago... broad range of material/concepts covered. Readable.

https://www.amazon.com/Germanic-People- ... nic+tribes
Starts slow... and not very 'new-idea' ish. But very anti-Roman, which is fun.

https://www.amazon.com/Conquerors-Roman ... nic+tribes
More about Rome in a back-handed way. But still some good insights.

https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Age-Societi ... nic+tribes
Haven't yet read this. More about NORTHERN Germanics pointing towards Vikings. But it looks ok.

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Ages-476-91 ... QSYDK24R5G
More about AFTER Rome. But good coverage of how Germanic tribes became more than tribes. Kind of a slog at times. Bedtime reading. But a good reference work.

[dargorygel]

PE
Any interest in pre-WWI naval history?

[ubercacher16]

My personal interests are in Roman history (particularly the fall of the republic) and also Ancient Greek. I also enjoy English (from 1066 onward) and American history. All history in general is great though.

[Octavious]

What about historical popular culture? Here's a bit of political satire from the theatres of the 1880s, showing just how much politics has changed in the last half dozen generations.

I often think it’s comical – Fal, lal, la!
How Nature always does contrive – Fal, lal, la!
That every boy and every gal
That’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal, lal, la!
When in that House M.P.’s divide,
If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too,
They’ve got to leave that brain outside,
And vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.
But then the prospect of a lot
Of dull M. P.’s in close proximity,
All thinking for themselves, is what
No man can face with equanimity.
Then let’s rejoice with loud Fal la – Fal la la!
That Nature always does contrive – Fal lal la!
That every boy and every gal
That’s born into the world alive
Is either a little Liberal
Or else a little Conservative!
Fal lal la!

[PRINCE WILLIAM]

PE
Any interest in pre-WWI naval history?

By pre-WWI you mean the late 19th century or more back in time, Napoleonic Era i.e?

My personal interests are in Roman history (particularly the fall of the republic) and also Ancient Greek. I also enjoy English (from 1066 onward) and American history. All history in general is great though.

Do you have a special time or historical event that interests you in Greek history?

[dargorygel]

PE
Any interest in pre-WWI naval history?

By pre-WWI you mean the late 19th century or more back in time, Napoleonic Era i.e?

I was actually referring to the rise of the Dreadnoughts. The race between defense (armour) and offense (shell-diameter) that eventually reached an impasse JUST before WWI. It is an interesting juxtaposition of technology and diplomacy, imo.

[teacher2]

I am a history nerd and teacher. Specialize in legal history of U.S.; Affections for naval from 1750-1870; dabbled in enlightenment/reformation church.

[teacher2]

Darygorgel a good book I just finished was titled "first general staff" about American naval planning. It covers 043-228 but is more interesting for the interest period planning under the treaties.

[teacher2]

*1900-1950; focus on growth of board and effect on *interwar (not interest) period. No more mobile typing for this man.....