So, What Do You Get Out Of History ?

[Lettow77]

 This is a very important question for me, i'm sure- History has defined who I am hugely.

  History gave me a sense of belonging and identity and a role within a larger narrative, which was important for a young kid in tenuous "homes" with parents that were invariably not around. Uncertain and unglamorous present made a past with marble heroes of unshakeable greatness and character intensely appealing. Also important, however, was their defeat- the world was meant to be framed as a tragedy, with the forces of righteousness fighting a rearguard action against inequity and the horrors of a modern world they could not forestall.  This was a sort of mythology that gave justification to the dim conditions of the present and formed a consolatory explanation for the unhappiness of people I knew personally.

Studying history gave me an appreciation for world cultures and made the world much wider than Memphis, Tennessee. The deeds of great men were a mixture of entertainment, and the beliefs of exalted figures became the basis for an imitative morality.

After that, history became something I could excel at. Fanatical studying of it eventually left me knowing more of it than anyone else I knew- even when I got to this podunk college it wasn't hard at all to easily become the darling of the history dep't and get money thrown at me to subsidize a life of leisure. 

[FunkMonk]

I liked history because I enjoyed discovering why things are the way they are.

Nowadays I like history because it makes me feel smarter than 99% of the people around me and I can bask in my superiority. Except here, where I am the dumbest motherfucker and therefore inferior to say, Viking or Martinus.

[CountDeMoney]

Studying history gave me an appreciation for world cultures and made the world much wider than Memphis, Tennessee.

Glad reading history has helped you out with that whole dressing-up-like-a-Japanese-schoolgirl thing.

[Razgovory]

I just liked history cause I found it entertaining.

Best horror and sex stories.

Well there was the added benefit of being able to bore people to death at parties with historical Trivia.  Then I found that I could better results just making shit up,  "Most European countries are named for their founders.  For instance France was named after King Francis, Britain was named after Queen Brittney and Russia was named for Emperor Russ.  Germany is a bit of a strange case as it's named after it's chief export, germs".  Now I don't go to parties so it's sort of a moot point I suppose.

That's horrible.

Oh, it wasn't that bad.

[Richard Hakluyt]

First of all it is just so damn interesting; I suppose one could watch Eastenders and find out what those two bald guys are up to...but I'd rather find out about Charles I, his love for Henrietta Maria, his magnificent art collection and complete incomprehension about the motivations of his subjects.

Secondly, I have a deep disapproval of provincialism, this includes what one might call chronological provincialism. There can be few things worse than chatting in the pub with a semi-educated boor who rails against the errors of former times and is incapable of perceiving that we are busy committing errors that, in their turn, will be condemned by future generations.

[Queequeg]

Escapism.

[Admiral Yi]

I liked history because I enjoyed discovering why things are the way they are.

Nowadays I like history because it makes me feel smarter than 99% of the people around me and I can bask in my superiority. Except here, where I am the dumbest motherfucker and therefore inferior to say, Viking or Martinus.

  You know a lot about footie.

I am stumped by this question.  I cannot conceptualize on a sufficiently abstract level to formulate an answer.  It would be like asking me why I like looking at pretty girls.

[Razgovory]

I think you took that to literally, Yi.

[Ed Anger]

Don't spoil World War II for me. 

[Martim Silva]

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 ?

Myself, I try to get experience only possible to get over centuries - learning what did not work, in order to avoid doing the same error.

Also, checking what was successful, in order to try to do the same. And seeing historical trends, which allows us to have a good idea of what will happen next and which countries are bound to clash/make an alliance.

Also important to understand modern conflicts - like why the Sunni hate the Shia, or the Greeks mistrust the Turks, why Russians are paranoid with security or why Israel exists and is at odds with the Arabs, for example.

Basically, it's a general guide to how to deal with what life might have installed for you.

(knowing how economic crisis develop in capitalist systems, like the 1877 and 1929 ones, allowed me to see this one coming and be quite ready for it. Not to mention making me look like a wise visionary)

Especially important are books written by actual historical figures, instead of mere historians. Those are priceless.

[dps]

The words of old white men.

Well stop reading those books; you could net the exact same thing from listening to me.   

Well, I would presume that he wants the words to make at least a little sense.

[The Brain]

I enjoy history, but like Yi saying why is difficult. I get a number of benefits from reading huge amounts of history but those aren't the reasons I do it.

[garbon]

The words of old white men.

Well stop reading those books; you could net the exact same thing from listening to me.   

Well, I would presume that he wants the words to make at least a little sense.

[Tamas]

I combine FunkMonk's and The Brain's answer to formulate mine.
Except that I consider myself to be far superior to Martinus.

[Camerus]

To say that I read history for any reason other than pleasure would be disingenuous.  There are any number of subjects I could choose to read in my spare time, but (with the possible exception of literature / literary studies) none with the frequency of history.  That's just 'cause I like it.

What do I "get" from this reading, other than pleasure?  First, I tend to think it makes me a much more broad-minded and tolerant individual, less easily swayed by the prejudices of the day.  Secondly, it makes me more knowledgeable, and able to take a broader and deeper perspective on issues.  I suppose that also informs my ethical conduct as well.

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.  And I don't really know shit about advanced science, since I'd rather read a history book any day of the week.  But that's just how it is.