The History Thread

[Tooj 17]

Just finished reading this which is a cracking account of the fall of the Soviet Empire and its satellite states.

Now started on a book about the Gulag which has already opened my eyes quite a bit. As I wasn't aware that they were started out as a way of making money for the government and not just as a means of oppression.

I truly love history. Even though I was quite academic at school without really being arsed, history was the only subject I took a real interest in and since then my interest in all kinds of history has just grown and grown.

Anybody else on here got the history bug? If so what kind of history do you have a major interest in? Can anybody recommend good documentaries on your specifc subject of interest?

I'm also going through the Melvyn Bragg In Our Time History and Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcasts. Not sure if anybody has any that they advocate as well?

 

[PaddockLad 17263]

I like what is termed in school textbooks as "the dark ages", especially as it applied locally, I.e. the ancient kingdom of Northumbria and how the early kingdoms of England and Scotland were formed.

 

Alaistair Moffat has written screeds on the subject, he s very good and we do of course share the same old school tie

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Moffat/e/B001IU0L4Q

[Tooj 17]

I bought this recently (haven't read it yet like) but it's meant to be class.

 

[Howmanheyman 33222]

I love stuff from the classical period, from the Greek states to the Roman Republic and their politics and civil wars. I've read quite a few decent books on the subject.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

Do you watch The Americans, Jonny?

 

I think you'd like it even if you've got just a passing interest in the Soviet Union and the KGB. It's pretty respectful of the actual history too.

[acrossthepond 877]

As I'm a history teacher, this is kind of my thing. I love the feudal period of Europe but my real passion is the history of the Ottoman Empire. I spent my honeymoon in Istanbul (somewhere you must see before you die) and was amazed by how well preserved both the Byzantine and Ottoman structures and legacy are there.

 

My day job is teaching U.S. history, however. Not my passion but interesting enough, I suppose.

[Howmanheyman 33222]

I did a archaeology course which was just a basic starters thing whilst out of work many years ago. Unfortunately had to give it up as I couldn't afford the travelling expenses and I had to get a job when I had the chance.

[The Fish 10857]

As I'm a history teacher, this is kind of my thing. I love the feudal period of Europe but my real passion is the history of the Ottoman Empire. I spent my honeymoon in Istanbul (somewhere you must see before you die) and was amazed by how well preserved both the Byzantine and Ottoman structures and legacy are there.

 

My day job is teaching U.S. history, however. Not my passion but interesting enough, I suppose.

 

Part-time job is it?

 

[ewerk 30611]

I assume that the children get taught more than just US history?

[NJS 4386]

 

Part-time job is it?

 

I was going to ask what he did the other 51 weeks of the year.....

 

It would be interesting to know if it's taught from the same biased pov as british history is and how distorted that is - I always found it funny after leaving school how little gems of truth which were covered up changed things so much.

[Happy Face 29]

A history of the world in 100 objects was another class podcast series from the BBC. Well worth a listen.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ahow

[PaddockLad 17263]

A history of the world in 100 objects was another class podcast series from the BBC. Well worth a listen.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ahow

 

is it based on Mrs PL's toilet book?...

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-History-World-100-Objects/dp/0241951771

 

She's dead posh like, folds the corner of the bog roll over like Mrs Bucket

[PaddockLad 17263]

I bought this recently (haven't read it yet like) but it's meant to be class.

 

 

United Northumbria, but was killed in battle by the Welsh

 

Cheers Tooj , may well have a gander at thet myself

[acrossthepond 877]

US history in this country is an exercise in self-delusion. Textbooks whitewash it to such a degree that it's ludicrous. I shudder to think how America's history is taught in the 46 states between NY and CA, but luckily we're progressive in New York, and I also have the advantage of teaching mostly immigrants (something like 96% of our school is kids from the Dominican Republic, with the other 4% black - no white kids at all in our 600-strong school) so I'm getting kids who haven't already been brainwashed into thinking Andrew Jackson was a hero or that America has always been a champion of democracy (tell that to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Haiti, etc before even getting into the modern era.)

 

Kids here take 2 years of US in middle school (grades 7 and 8), one more in high school (grade 9), and 2 years of global history in 10 and 11 before a class on economics and government in grade 12.

[CleeToonFan 1]

About to finish a history degree, so will always thank the subject for getting me into McDonalds.

[Howmanheyman 33222]

US history in this country is an exercise in self-delusion. Textbooks whitewash it to such a degree that it's ludicrous. I shudder to think how America's history is taught in the 46 states between NY and CA, but luckily we're progressive in New York, and I also have the advantage of teaching mostly immigrants (something like 96% of our school is kids from the Dominican Republic, with the other 4% black - no white kids at all in our 600-strong school) so I'm getting kids who haven't already been brainwashed into thinking Andrew Jackson was a hero or that America has always been a champion of democracy (tell that to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Haiti, etc before even getting into the modern era.)

 

Kids here take 2 years of US in middle school (grades 7 and 8), one more in high school (grade 9), and 2 years of global history in 10 and 11 before a class on economics and government in grade 12.

When I was at school we did a little bit about Ford motors for some reason and my eldest daughter is doing the same almost thirty years later! 2-3,000 years of history and a few weeks learning about the T model?