History buffs to the front! Need some book recommendations.

[FernandoV]

Okay, so I've become tired of T.V, like to the point where watching it has given me headaches.

Basically, I'm looking for some period books. Now, I only want books that YOU personally have read, not that have been recommended to you. Also, I want books that are as impartial as possible. I don't want books that lean towards a certain opinion to heavily. Also, I don't want ANY WW2 books.

I'm currently interested in the French Revolution but feel free to recommend other time periods; preferably not all of them being european history.

Edit: I mean books that document the history, not fiction set in the time period. Sorry

 

[Pimppeter2]

Well, are you looking for books from history or books about History?

 

[TheIronRuler]

Okay, so I've become tired of T.V, like to the point where watching it has given me headaches.

Basically, I'm looking for some period books. Now, I only want books that YOU personally have read, not that have been recommended to you. Also, I want books that are as impartial as possible. I don't want books that lean towards a certain opinion to heavily. Also, I don't want ANY WW2 books.

I'm currently interested in the French Revolution but feel free to recommend other time periods; preferably not all of them being european history.

I have a great historical book that doesn't lean onto either side.
World War Z.
Experience zombies like you never experienced before.
.
European history is the bloodiest and most documented.

 

[TCPirate]

Well I don't know any French Revolution period books but if you're interested in the 1930-1940s but don't want something about world war then try To Kill A Mockingbird. I've read this before and it's a masterpiece, if I'm perfectly honest.

 

[TCPirate]

Opps Double post :<

 

[BlumiereBleck]

The Conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar is pretty good. A Tale of Two Cities can be quite historical but, just go to your local Barnes and Noble...they have an entire section dedicated to History and i love it....

 

[Giest4life]

As a history buff, it is an absolute turn-off for me when the historian does not pick a side. I believe being "impartial" in anything is impossible and I like my historians to be openly biased, which makes it easy to read and remove the bias as opposed to looking for bias in the more subtly worded history books. On that note, I recommend you read any or all of the 13-volume Story of Civilization by Will Durant. But if you don't have the stomach to undertake such an endeavor, I recommend you read Heroes of History by Will Durant. His writing style is quite pleasant and the bias is easy to spot.

 

[FernandoV]

Well, are you looking for books from history or books about History?

About. Sorry ^.^

 

[Divine Miss Bee]

french revolution, hm? well, biographies are a great place to start, or you could take a look at some of what was being written for the masses, that stirred up the rebellion. i don't make recommendations, though-go to the library and grab the first thing that looks interesting. you'll thank me later.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Well, are you looking for books from history or books about History?

About. Sorry ^.^

Here's something modernish, but pretty interesting. Covers all aspects of terrorism. Iloved it.

Confronting Fear: A History of Terrorism
Issac Cronin

 

[Queen Michael]

The Conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar is pretty good.

I read it a couple of years ago and loved it.

 

[Henkie36]

You should probably mention if you mean books or novels, it makes quite a difference.

A good novel? Try ''De Guillotine'', only I don't know whether it has been translated to English, or any other language for that matter. It's in Dutch, so if you can read that, you're golden.

By the way, the ''not leaning towards any opinion too heavily'' is nearly impossible, because didn't the greatset strageist himself (Napoleon Bonaparte) say ''What's history other then a lie on which everyone agrees?''.

 

[FC Groningen]

I can recommend Conn Iggulden's books. I've read the serie "Emperor" and its pretty good, although history has been altered a little bit for the storyline. It follows Ceasar from boy to Emperor.

 

[UnknownGunslinger]

Oh sweet, I'm currently listening to an audio book of Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and it's been amazing so I definitely recommend ? it's 12th century Britain and it's about the building of a cathedral in a fictional diocese amidst a civil war! It has some plot problems in the middle but it starts really strong and so far I've been enjoying it
There's a miniseries that is based on the book which was fantastic as well.

 

[The Funslinger]

If you want good historical novelizations read the "Emperor" and "Conqueror" series by Conn Iggulden. Fantastic. The historical notes at the backs of the books are the most educational part and help separate fact from fiction too. The way he tells the stuff though, it's incredible.

I can recommend Conn Iggulden's books. I've read the serie "Emperor" and its pretty good, although history has been altered a little bit for the storyline. It follows Ceasar from boy to Emperor.

Hey! Do Conqueror next. It's about Ghengis Khan in a similar format.

 

[Luke3184]

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli
Inferno, Purgotorio, Paradiso - Dante
Stalin's Hangmen - Somebody
If you like satire then I cannot recommend Pratchett enough (Off topic I know but hey)

 

[BlumiereBleck]

The Conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar is pretty good.

I read it a couple of years ago and loved it.

It has that effect on people

 

[UnknownGunslinger]

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli
Inferno, Purgotorio, Paradiso - Dante
Stalin's Hangmen - Somebody
If you like satire then I cannot recommend Pratchett enough (Off topic I know but hey)

I second the Pratchett recommendation, off topic or not it's damn good

 

[Lenin211]

Okay, so I've become tired of T.V, like to the point where watching it has given me headaches.

Basically, I'm looking for some period books. Now, I only want books that YOU personally have read, not that have been recommended to you. Also, I want books that are as impartial as possible. I don't want books that lean towards a certain opinion to heavily. Also, I don't want ANY WW2 books.

I'm currently interested in the French Revolution but feel free to recommend other time periods; preferably not all of them being european history.

Edit: I mean books that document the history, not fiction set in the time period. Sorry

Try the Sharpe novels, they are fairly historically accurate and set around the time period you discussed. They follow the story of Richard Sharpe as he climbs through the ranks of the British army at the end of the 18th century, going into the early 19th century. They are fast paced and fun. They are some of my favorite historical fiction novels.

 

[Tdc2182]

Uhh, I've read a shitload of war novels, but for some reason I doubt that's what you're looking for.

Try reading the Milton S. Hershey book. It will take you an hour and will make you crave chocolate.