History book recommendations?

[SusanH]

My knowledge of history is very spotty, with some pockets of decent knowledge (Russian history, 18th century England) and a number of areas where the best I can come up with is "Wasn't there a war over something back around then?"

Does anyone have any good suggestions for readable history books? I'd be interested in any eras or areas, US, world, European, anything!

[Caryl]

I read this book for an education class I took, and loved it:

A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316831115/ref=nosim/storknet00 ) by Ronald Takaki

I really liked his writing style, and I learned so much! It was very detailed, but he kept it interesting by bringing personal stories into the telling of history. I also purchased another book he wrote, A Larger Memory: A History of Our Diversity, With Voices (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316311626/ref=nosim/storknet00 ), but I haven't read it yet. I've heard great things about Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316831301/ref=nosim/storknet00 ), and I'm also interested in Double Victory: A Multicultural History of America in World War II (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316831565/ref=nosim/storknet00 ).

Let me know if you check any of these out! :)

[Jer]

I'm very into English history, up through the Tudors. I love anything by Alison Weir-- if anyone can turn these into links, I'd love 'em forever:

-- The Six Wives of Henry VIII (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802136834/ref=nosim/storknet00)
-- The Children of Henry VIII (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345407865/ref=nosim/storknet00)
-- The Wars of the Roses (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345404335/ref=nosim/storknet00)
-- The Princes in the Tower (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345391780/ref=nosim/storknet00)

and any of her others. She's a great writer, makes the histories very interesting and readable.

Oh-- and here are two neat old books by Reay Tannahill:

Food in History (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0517884046/ref=nosim/storknet00)
Sex in History (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0812885406/ref=nosim/storknet00)

Again, super-readable and fascinating. HTH. Have fun!

Edited to add links, so that Jer will love me forever. ;) ~Caryl

[Caryl]

Jer, all of those books look wonderful! I am particularly interested in The Princes in the Tower, after reading Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684803860/ref=nosim/storknet00). (You should read those two together, Susan!)

Caryl

[miss meg]

Sharon Kay Penman is one of my favorite authors. The second book, Time and Chance is new; I didn't know it existed until writing this post! But I plan on ordering it from amazon.com right now. The books all deal with the struggle between England and France during the Plantaganet dynasty (medieval times). The last book, The Sunne in Splendor skips some kings and deals with Richard III in (what I belive) to be the most sympathetic and realistic portrayal of this contriversial king of England.

When Christ and His Saints Slept (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/whenchristsaints.htm)
Time and Chance (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/timeandchance.htm)
Here Be Dragons (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/herebedragons.htm)
Falls the Shadow (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/fallstheshadow.htm)
The Reckoning (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/reckoning.htm)
The Sunne in Splendor (http://www.sharonkaypenman.com/sunne.htm)

I've read the entire series at least four times over the past 15 years - they're that good! It was her books that helped in my decision to return to college to receive my BA in History with a concentration in Medieval Society.

Enjoy:)

~Meg

[SusanH]

Thank you all so much! I'm adding all of these to my "to be read" list. :)

[SusanH]

r/f