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 ?
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Well stop reading those books; you could net the exact same thing from listening to me. :bowler:
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Conversely, I've taken to reading Afrocentric literature. Rather enlightening.
I get a supplement to my paycheck.
Also, the fun of teaching 120 freshmen.
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:10:24 PM
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 ?
Same thing I get out of reading philosophy. It makes me a better person.
I use history to form my moral character and decisionmaking.
Quote from: Viking on September 20, 2012, 04:39:14 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:10:24 PM
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 ?
Same thing I get out of reading philosophy. It makes me a better person.
So when are you going to finally reach slightly good?
I just liked history cause I found it entertaining.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 04:47:44 PM
I just liked history cause I found it entertaining.
Best horror and sex stories.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 04:47:44 PM
I just liked history cause I found it entertaining.
:yes:
It's funnier because its true.
Quote from: Phillip V on September 20, 2012, 04:48:50 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 04:47:44 PM
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.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 05:05:31 PM
Quote from: Phillip V on September 20, 2012, 04:48:50 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 04:47:44 PM
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. :(
Different things. Generally it's because I'm interested in something and want to know more, in which case I'll read many versions. Sometimes I feel there's a gap that I need to fill. Most rarely it's for the writing, Wedgwood on the Thirty Years War for example. Also just out of a sense of fun, this is especially the way with ancient histories like Livy and Herodotus.
As to what I get out of it, well hopefully enough bare facts to agree or fight with a strong argument.
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:10:24 PM
So, what do you get out of history ?
That I'm doomed to repeat it.
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.
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.
Quote from: Lettow77 on September 20, 2012, 05:31:10 PM
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.
Quote from: Phillip V on September 20, 2012, 05:11:42 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 05:05:31 PM
Quote from: Phillip V on September 20, 2012, 04:48:50 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 04:47:44 PM
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.
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.
Escapism.
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 20, 2012, 05:32:16 PM
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.
:console: 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.
I think you took that to literally, Yi.
Don't spoil World War II for me. :mad:
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:10:24 PM
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.
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:13:39 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Well stop reading those books; you could net the exact same thing from listening to me. :bowler:
Well, I would presume that he wants the words to make at least a little sense.
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.
Quote from: dps on September 20, 2012, 09:25:50 PM
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:13:39 PM
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Well stop reading those books; you could net the exact same thing from listening to me. :bowler:
Well, I would presume that he wants the words to make at least a little sense.
:hug:
I combine FunkMonk's and The Brain's answer to formulate mine.
Except that I consider myself to be far superior to Martinus.
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.
Nuttin'
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on September 21, 2012, 02:43:55 AM
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
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")?
Most non-French books will do. French history books suck.
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?
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on September 21, 2012, 02:43:55 AMOf 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. :)
Quote from: Syt on September 21, 2012, 04:15:44 AM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on September 21, 2012, 02:43:55 AMOf 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. :(
Marti go back to that thread. We made several reccomendations.
Quote from: Martinus on September 21, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
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.
Don't bother with Gibbon. He was writing a morality play, not history as we understand it.
Quote from: Viking on September 21, 2012, 07:54:19 AM
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.
Quote from: Maladict on September 21, 2012, 08:09:10 AM
Quote from: Viking on September 21, 2012, 07:54:19 AM
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.
:face:
Quote from: mongers on September 20, 2012, 04:10:24 PM
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?
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
Quote from: grumbler on September 21, 2012, 08:25:51 AM
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
Wikipedia begs to differ...
Quote from: grumbler on September 21, 2012, 08:25:51 AM
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
Grumbler once again shows his class.
Must be hard being himself, given how much condescension he tries to project.
Quote from: grumbler on September 21, 2012, 08:25:51 AM
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
:huh:
Quote from: grumbler on September 21, 2012, 08:25:51 AM
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
Do you test for that in the history classes you teach?
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 21, 2012, 05:26:10 PM
Quote from: grumbler on September 21, 2012, 08:25:51 AM
Hopefully, what one "gets out of history" is the ability to resist asking sophomoric questions on internet discussion boards.
:huh:
Who knows? It's just crazy old man talk.
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Sir Andrew Trollope?
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Maybe living vicariously?
Quote from: Jacob on September 21, 2012, 06:13:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Maybe living vicariously?
I feel that way about Gor.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 21, 2012, 06:19:18 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 21, 2012, 06:13:48 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Maybe living vicariously?
I feel that way about Gor.
:D
I'm trying to track some of those down, have to have the 'correct' cover, but they're like hens teeth now; I suspect feminists are destroying them in 2nd bookstores. <_<
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
Here's an idea, you should start a thread about that question; you could well get some more interesting answers than in this thread. :)
I don't think it deserves a thread :lol:
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 07:33:07 PM
I don't think it deserves a thread :lol:
I try to keep the number of threads I start to a minimum. Otherwise we'd have threads with titles like "what is your favorite and least favorite architecture styles", or "If trapped on a desert island with every member of Languish, who would be the best to cannibalize first?"
Quote from: Jacob on September 21, 2012, 05:35:27 PM
Do you test for that in the history classes you teach?
Of course. And I teach sophomores to know better.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 07:43:16 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 07:33:07 PM
I don't think it deserves a thread :lol:
I try to keep the number of threads I start to a minimum. Otherwise we'd have threads with titles like "what is your favorite and least favorite architecture styles", or "If trapped on a desert island with every member of Languish, who would be the best to cannibalize first?"
Tim. Then form a power bloc with seedy to make ourselves kings.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 21, 2012, 08:51:29 PM
Tim. Then form a power bloc with seedy to make ourselves kings.
What, so you could whack me in the counter-revolutionary purge? NYET SO FAST MY FRIEND
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 21, 2012, 08:52:54 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 21, 2012, 08:51:29 PM
Tim. Then form a power bloc with seedy to make ourselves kings.
What, so you could whack me in the counter-revolutionary purge? NYET SO FAST MY FRIEND
I am the 100%
History is entertaining and interesting. Plus it helps refute those old farts that start every second sentence with "in my day". Screw you, people sucked back then just like they do now.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 06:18:25 PM
I think you took that to literally, Yi.
What gave it away? :D
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 21, 2012, 09:19:10 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 06:18:25 PM
I think you took that to literally, Yi.
What gave it away? :D
Saying someone is dumber then Marty is like saying someone is "as dumb as a stump". It's a figure of speech. A hyperbole. It's physically impossible to be that dumb.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 07:43:16 PM
"If trapped on a desert island with every member of Languish, who would be the best to cannibalize first?"
Well, I think you'd have to take down the fattest members first, because A) obviously they have more meat on them, and B) otherwise they'll eat everybody else up too quickly. I'm not sure who's the fattest, though.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 21, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I find the question of what you get out of fiction more interesting. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've become a hardcore Trollope fan, and I can't work out what it is about him I enjoy so much.
I read the Palliser series this year and the Barsetshire ones a couple of years back; as the winter sets in I'll be moving on to his other works I expect. I've also reflected on what I enjoy about them and have concluded that they are essentially upmarket soap opera. They fill the same gap that other people might use
Eastenders or
Coronation Street for.
Quote from: dps on September 21, 2012, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 07:43:16 PM
"If trapped on a desert island with every member of Languish, who would be the best to cannibalize first?"
Well, I think you'd have to take down the fattest members first, because A) obviously they have more meat on them, and B) otherwise they'll eat everybody else up too quickly. I'm not sure who's the fattest, though.
I guess this thread idea would have worked better then I thought. Probably better then one my other thread ideas, "what is your social security number?".
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on September 22, 2012, 01:11:13 AM
I read the Palliser series this year and the Barsetshire ones a couple of years back; as the winter sets in I'll be moving on to his other works I expect. I've also reflected on what I enjoy about them and have concluded that they are essentially upmarket soap opera. They fill the same gap that other people might use Eastenders or Coronation Street for.
I think this is it. I know he's not as good as, say, Dickens but there's something compulsive about him. Also they're the only Victorian novels I've read that I almost imagine as a period drama.
Quote from: dps on September 21, 2012, 11:19:34 PM
I'm not sure who's the fattest, though.
I bet The Brain knows.
It's like church- it's not what I get out of it, it's what I put into it.
You put things into history? :huh:
Church sucks too.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 22, 2012, 01:24:48 AM
Quote from: dps on September 21, 2012, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 07:43:16 PM
"If trapped on a desert island with every member of Languish, who would be the best to cannibalize first?"
Well, I think you'd have to take down the fattest members first, because A) obviously they have more meat on them, and B) otherwise they'll eat everybody else up too quickly. I'm not sure who's the fattest, though.
I guess this thread idea would have worked better then I thought. Probably better then one my other thread ideas, "what is your social security number?".
You are constantly misspelling "than" as "then".
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 10:17:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 21, 2012, 09:19:10 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 06:18:25 PM
I think you took that to literally, Yi.
What gave it away? :D
Saying someone is dumber then Marty is like saying someone is "as dumb as a stump". It's a figure of speech. A hyperbole. It's physically impossible to be that dumb.
It makes you look bad when you make spelling errors in the post in which you call someone dumb. :contract:
:lol: Grammer nazi on the rag.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.memehumor.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F11%2Fis-the-opposite-of-a-grammar-nazi-e1290514571306.jpg&hash=c1f4216b5be6349efa1415f2555bc8e89203ecc3)
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2012, 02:13:22 AM
You are constantly misspelling "than" as "then".
He frequently leaves out prepositions or other short words too. That's a lot more confusing IMO.
Whats the problem than?
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Enough about listening to your Grandpa. What do you get out of History?
Quote from: Valmy on September 24, 2012, 09:03:59 AM
Quote from: garbon on September 20, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
The words of old white men. :yuk:
Enough about listening to your Grandpa. What do you get out of History?
My grandfathers are dead.
Quote from: Martinus on September 23, 2012, 02:14:21 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2012, 10:17:19 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on September 21, 2012, 09:19:10 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 20, 2012, 06:18:25 PM
I think you took that to literally, Yi.
What gave it away? :D
Saying someone is dumber then Marty is like saying someone is "as dumb as a stump". It's a figure of speech. A hyperbole. It's physically impossible to be that dumb.
It makes you look bad when you make spelling errors in the post in which you call someone dumb. :contract:
And nobody cares. :D
Quote from: Martinus on September 21, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
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?
I reviewed a half dozen or so a few years back but that post might have been lost in one of the crashes.
I'm a fan of Walter Goffart: "Barbarians and Romans" has a narrow inquiry - the nature of the property settlements in the transition to Barbarian rule, but it is a true classic work of history and should appeal to a lawyer. His broader history of the period, Barbarian Tides, has some organizational issues, but there is a lot of useful stuff in there. I also liked Julia Smith's Europe After Rome: A New Cultural History, but it is more social and cultural history, and I would skim quickly over the jargon-filled introduction. Chris Wickam, Peter Heather, and Patrick Geary have written quite a bit on this period and you can learn quite a bit from their works. Bryan Ward-Perkins is a counter-revisionist (i.e. hard fall of Rome) - his "Fall of Rome" analyzes the massive decline in material culture and is well argued. Peter Brown and Judith Herrin have books covering the role of early Christianity.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on September 24, 2012, 05:33:37 PM
Quote from: Martinus on September 21, 2012, 04:07:44 AM
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?
I reviewed a half dozen or so a few years back but that post might have been lost in one of the crashes.
I'm a fan of Walter Goffart: "Barbarians and Romans" has a narrow inquiry - the nature of the property settlements in the transition to Barbarian rule, but it is a true classic work of history and should appeal to a lawyer. His broader history of the period, Barbarian Tides, has some organizational issues, but there is a lot of useful stuff in there. I also liked Julia Smith's Europe After Rome: A New Cultural History, but it is more social and cultural history, and I would skim quickly over the jargon-filled introduction. Chris Wickam, Peter Heather, and Patrick Geary have written quite a bit on this period and you can learn quite a bit from their works. Bryan Ward-Perkins is a counter-revisionist (i.e. hard fall of Rome) - his "Fall of Rome" analyzes the massive decline in material culture and is well argued. Peter Brown and Judith Herrin have books covering the role of early Christianity.
It wasn't so long ago, somewhere in this thread:
http://languish.org/forums/index.php/topic,1521.msg70654.html#msg70654 (http://languish.org/forums/index.php/topic,1521.msg70654.html#msg70654)