So, What Do You Get Out Of History ?

[Eddie Teach]

Nuttin'

[Tamas]

I almost never get the chance to discuss it over a beer, and I could probably relate to others better if my interests were more demotic. 

ain't that the truth

[Martinus]

A somewhat related question: do you have a preference for one kind of history books and if so what kind of books do you prefer?

Do you prefer summa/"magnum opus"-style comprehensive coverages of entire periods from the beginning to the end, like Steven Runciman's "History of the Crusades"? Or do you prefer more "snapshot/vignette/essay"-style books that choose some more abstract concept and then cover it selectively but e.g. over a longer period of time or over a greater geographical area (e.g. Umbert Eco's "History of Beauty" or Norman Davies' "Lost Kingdoms")?

[The Brain]

Most non-French books will do. French history books suck.

[Martinus]

Speaking of which, the Romans vs. Barbarians thread and my reading of wikipedia entries about the fall of Rome made me realise that (1) I am largely ignorant of the period (in Polish history education, this is covered by essentially mentioning the year of abdication of Romulus Augustulus and that this is the beginning of middle ages. End of story) and (2) this was a very interesting period. So could anyone recommend a good book on that?

[Syt]

Of course, there are drawbacks as well.  I almost never get the chance to discuss it over a beer, and I could probably relate to others better if my interests were more demotic.

Indeed. Last week we had a company event, and I was surrounded by 500 real estate agents. Fortunately, our head of finance from Canada had brought her husband who is a bit of a history buff. We spent the whole evening drinking beer and talking history.

He reminded me a lot of Richard Hakluyt in his rather sensible views, taste for beer and historic interests.

[Martinus]

Of course, there are drawbacks as well.  I almost never get the chance to discuss it over a beer, and I could probably relate to others better if my interests were more demotic.

Indeed. Last week we had a company event, and I was surrounded by 500 real estate agents. Fortunately, our head of finance from Canada had brought her husband who is a bit of a history buff. We spent the whole evening drinking beer and talking history.

He reminded me a lot of Richard Hakluyt in his rather sensible views, taste for beer and historic interests.

I know. I used to have 2-3 work colleagues who were history buffs like me and could discuss a broad range of topics, from the Flavian succession to the role of Turkey in the Thirty Years War. They have since left and people I work with mostly talk about their kids, their cars or where they want to go on vacation. 

[garbon]

Marti go back to that thread. We made several reccomendations.

[Viking]

Speaking of which, the Romans vs. Barbarians thread and my reading of wikipedia entries about the fall of Rome made me realise that (1) I am largely ignorant of the period (in Polish history education, this is covered by essentially mentioning the year of abdication of Romulus Augustulus and that this is the beginning of middle ages. End of story) and (2) this was a very interesting period. So could anyone recommend a good book on that?

Gibbon? Not because he is brilliant, but because every other book on the topic is written in light of gibbon either to refute, improve or agree with him.

[Admiral Yi]

Don't bother with Gibbon.  He was writing a morality play, not history as we understand it.

[Maladict]

Gibbon? Not because he is brilliant, but because every other book on the topic is written in light of gibbon either to refute, improve or agree with him.

It's a great read because of its scope and style, just know it's hopelessly outdated, bigoted and pretty much ignored these days.
Martinus will probably love it.

[Tamas]

Gibbon? Not because he is brilliant, but because every other book on the topic is written in light of gibbon either to refute, improve or agree with him.

It's a great read because of its scope and style, just know it's hopelessly outdated, bigoted and pretty much ignored these days.
Martinus will probably love it.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Recently I've tentatively started reading a few history books again, something I have done for years. And it prompted me to ask the question why am I doing this and what do I get out of it.

So, what do you get out of history ?

You tentatively start reading and then what?

[grumbler]

Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.

[PDH]

Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.

Wikipedia begs to differ...