History Buff

MikeyISbest · 05-10-2013, 04:51 AM

Is there any history buffs out there.
i enjoy reading about certain events of the past.
My faves are....in no order
Early Australian
Ancient Egypt
Rome
Middle Ages

one topic i would love to learn more about is American Civil War.....Can anyone point me towards some good reading.

Would also love to see what parts of history others like.

*Refractive Reflections* · 05-10-2013, 01:59 PM

I do like history, but I don't know if I would necessarily call myself a "history buff". I do watch a significant amount of PBS and watch some of their history-based documentary shows (i.e. "American Experience", and "Secrets of the Dead"). They are interesting because they tell these historical events from a more personal, relatable narrative from the journal and testimonies of people who had experienced those events. In addition, the shows help the viewer to frame these historical events within the context of that culture that we (in our present age) couldn't possibly conceive of. It always brings up that "What if?" situation for the viewer, if one was born in a different time period when viewing those documentaries.

...So anyways, sorry for going off-tangent there

, but I usually don't have time to read books about history, but I'll watch TV programs/documentaries about them.

From my experience, history is not just about learning a bunch of obscure facts and details about the past, but its more of an emotional journal of human society reacting within the backdrop of fluctuating culture (technology, social, political, etc.). That is worth learning from, and can be applicable to our own current changes in societal culture.

***Steps off soap box***

(...Don't know if I helped...hmmm....

)

Blossombrooks · 05-10-2013, 02:18 PM

I enjoy history, not an expert though! I'm UK based but I like American history, can't recommend any books but the History channel has shown some excellent documentaries on the Civil War. 'Pawn Stars' is a fun way of learning about a lot of different events in American History and it often gives a good jumping off point for research.
I studied Classical Civilisation for two years which was all about Roman and Greek history, literature and religion but I always love anything about Egypt too.
I visited Pompeii and Herculaneum with my class (many years ago) and it was amazing, it's like stepping back in time, you can literally walk in their footsteps.

LH · 05-10-2013, 02:54 PM

History was always one of my favorite subjects. I find Sarah Vowell's books on american history very entertaining.

*Cure* · 05-10-2013, 04:57 PM

I think Matt is kind of a World War II buff.

愛 · 05-10-2013, 05:01 PM

I think Matt is actually dead. lol

*MikeandRaph87* · 05-10-2013, 05:14 PM

I am a rookie history teacher and a history buff. There are actually two others around here that are history teachers as well. You are more into world history it seems. My expertise lies within United States history and Government. My favorite areas of study are 1763-1809 and rise of the dicators through 9/11.

If you want U.S. Civil War History here is a great overall book which is apart of the ongoing Oxford History of The United States series. It is called Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, 1848-1877.

Peanut · 05-10-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 愛

I think Matt is actually dead. lol

He loved the bottle. God bless him.

愛 · 05-10-2013, 05:22 PM

I miss the homicidal psycho.

*MikeandRaph87* · 05-23-2013, 11:50 AM

Bump for other histroy buffs like Corvus and Donnie to chime in.

*That Matt Guy* · 05-23-2013, 02:21 PM

Not dead yet.

And yeah, WWII and the events leading up to and directly following it are huge interests for me and have been for years.

*MikeandRaph87* · 05-23-2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by That Matt Guy

Not dead yet.

And yeah, WWII and the events leading up to and directly following it are huge interests for me and have been for years.

Are you a history teacher as well?

WWII is at the center one of the two expert/interest areas of history for me.

*That Matt Guy* · 05-23-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeandRaph87

Are you a history teacher as well?

No, it is just a hobby for me. It would be nice to get paid to talk about the war all day though.

*MikeandRaph87* · 05-23-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by That Matt Guy

No, it is just a hobby for me. It would be nice to get paid to talk about the war all day though.

Check this book out by historian Antony Beehvor. It covers the war in its entirety with maps and describes each sides movements. Only a true history buff can appreicate this 850 plus page account. I like books that give overall accounts of events instead of specific events within.
http://www.antonybeevor.com/

corvus · 05-24-2013, 10:41 PM

Yeah I'm a late adolescent education in history and social sciences major. Really into the history of the USSR and the colonial period.

*MikeandRaph87* · 05-24-2013, 11:13 PM

Corvus,you should check out a book called The Rise And Fall of Communism by Archie Brown. I like the cumulative reads and thos covers the whole history pretty well although you can guess its a bit lengthy.

corvus · 05-24-2013, 11:44 PM

It can't be worse than that awful documentary with Ronald Reagan about communism.

DonatelloNinja82 · 06-11-2013, 03:58 PM

I like history myself, but am by no means an expert. I love ancient history (Egypt, Rome, etc)

*MikeandRaph87* · 06-25-2013, 07:58 PM

I like character studies and thought I would share one that is getting positive reviews months in advance of being aired. Forget the mixed to negative reviews The Kennedys, Killing Kennedy, based off of the best selling book by controversial political commentator Bill O'Reiley is getting adapted into a biopic set to air on the National Geographic Channel starring Rob Lowe as JFK. Lowe previously narrated The 80s: The Decade That Made Us for the channel back in March.

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainm...ennedy-2013136

http://www.eonline.com/news/433782/m...ign=rss_tvnews

*MikeandRaph87* · 06-27-2014, 05:49 PM

For all you fellow history buffs out there today the final blow that lead to The Great War/World War I hit the century mark.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/world/1...es-hazy-legacy

05-10-2013, 04:51 AM	#1
MikeyISbest Random Punk Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 31	History Buff Is there any history buffs out there. i enjoy reading about certain events of the past. My faves are....in no order Early Australian Ancient Egypt Rome Middle Ages one topic i would love to learn more about is American Civil War.....Can anyone point me towards some good reading. Would also love to see what parts of history others like.

05-10-2013, 01:59 PM	#2
Refractive Reflections Mad Scientist $Refractive Reflections's Avatar$ Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2,371	I do like history, but I don't know if I would necessarily call myself a "history buff". I do watch a significant amount of PBS and watch some of their history-based documentary shows (i.e. "American Experience", and "Secrets of the Dead"). They are interesting because they tell these historical events from a more personal, relatable narrative from the journal and testimonies of people who had experienced those events. In addition, the shows help the viewer to frame these historical events within the context of that culture that we (in our present age) couldn't possibly conceive of. It always brings up that "What if?" situation for the viewer, if one was born in a different time period when viewing those documentaries. ...So anyways, sorry for going off-tangent there , but I usually don't have time to read books about history, but I'll watch TV programs/documentaries about them. From my experience, history is not just about learning a bunch of obscure facts and details about the past, but its more of an emotional journal of human society reacting within the backdrop of fluctuating culture (technology, social, political, etc.). That is worth learning from, and can be applicable to our own current changes in societal culture. *Steps off soap box* (...Don't know if I helped...hmmm....)
$Refractive Reflections is offline$

05-10-2013, 02:18 PM	#3
Blossombrooks Stone Warrior Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: 'hero' turtle land Posts: 946	I enjoy history, not an expert though! I'm UK based but I like American history, can't recommend any books but the History channel has shown some excellent documentaries on the Civil War. 'Pawn Stars' is a fun way of learning about a lot of different events in American History and it often gives a good jumping off point for research. I studied Classical Civilisation for two years which was all about Roman and Greek history, literature and religion but I always love anything about Egypt too. I visited Pompeii and Herculaneum with my class (many years ago) and it was amazing, it's like stepping back in time, you can literally walk in their footsteps. __________________ There's too much green to feel blue! http://blossombrooks.deviantart.com/

05-10-2013, 04:57 PM	#5
Cure Y'all need Jesus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8,938	I think Matt is kind of a World War II buff. __________________

05-10-2013, 05:14 PM	#7
MikeandRaph87 Jedi Master Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: JLA Satellite Headquarters Posts: 11,189	I am a rookie history teacher and a history buff. There are actually two others around here that are history teachers as well. You are more into world history it seems. My expertise lies within United States history and Government. My favorite areas of study are 1763-1809 and rise of the dicators through 9/11. If you want U.S. Civil War History here is a great overall book which is apart of the ongoing Oxford History of The United States series. It is called Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, 1848-1877. __________________ Michelangelo: This looks like a job for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Raphael: Sheesh, Mikey this ain't a cartoon!

05-10-2013, 02:54 PM	#4
LH Leatherhead Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1,705	History was always one of my favorite subjects. I find Sarah Vowell's books on american history very entertaining.

05-10-2013, 05:01 PM	#6
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	I think Matt is actually dead. lol

05-10-2013, 05:22 PM	#9
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	I miss the homicidal psycho.

05-23-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
MikeandRaph87 Jedi Master Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: JLA Satellite Headquarters Posts: 11,189	Bump for other histroy buffs like Corvus and Donnie to chime in. __________________ Michelangelo: This looks like a job for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Raphael: Sheesh, Mikey this ain't a cartoon!

05-23-2013, 02:21 PM	#11
That Matt Guy Honey Bunches Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lone Star State Posts: 5,840	Not dead yet. And yeah, WWII and the events leading up to and directly following it are huge interests for me and have been for years.

05-24-2013, 10:41 PM	#15
corvus Stone Warrior Join Date: May 2012 Location: London Posts: 783	Yeah I'm a late adolescent education in history and social sciences major. Really into the history of the USSR and the colonial period. __________________

05-24-2013, 11:13 PM	#16
MikeandRaph87 Jedi Master Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: JLA Satellite Headquarters Posts: 11,189	Corvus,you should check out a book called The Rise And Fall of Communism by Archie Brown. I like the cumulative reads and thos covers the whole history pretty well although you can guess its a bit lengthy. __________________ Michelangelo: This looks like a job for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Raphael: Sheesh, Mikey this ain't a cartoon!

05-24-2013, 11:44 PM	#17
corvus Stone Warrior Join Date: May 2012 Location: London Posts: 783	It can't be worse than that awful documentary with Ronald Reagan about communism. __________________

06-11-2013, 03:58 PM	#18
DonatelloNinja82 Mad Scientist Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,345	I like history myself, but am by no means an expert. I love ancient history (Egypt, Rome, etc) __________________ Michelangelo: Holy guacamole with hot sauce and jalapenos!

06-25-2013, 07:58 PM	#19
MikeandRaph87 Jedi Master Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: JLA Satellite Headquarters Posts: 11,189	I like character studies and thought I would share one that is getting positive reviews months in advance of being aired. Forget the mixed to negative reviews The Kennedys, Killing Kennedy, based off of the best selling book by controversial political commentator Bill O'Reiley is getting adapted into a biopic set to air on the National Geographic Channel starring Rob Lowe as JFK. Lowe previously narrated The 80s: The Decade That Made Us for the channel back in March. http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainm...ennedy-2013136 http://www.eonline.com/news/433782/m...ign=rss_tvnews __________________ Michelangelo: This looks like a job for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Raphael: Sheesh, Mikey this ain't a cartoon!

06-27-2014, 05:49 PM	#20
MikeandRaph87 Jedi Master Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: JLA Satellite Headquarters Posts: 11,189	For all you fellow history buffs out there today the final blow that lead to The Great War/World War I hit the century mark. http://thechronicleherald.ca/world/1...es-hazy-legacy __________________ Michelangelo: This looks like a job for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Raphael: Sheesh, Mikey this ain't a cartoon!