History books

[Sirloin]

So, having been inspired by Empire Total War, I've just picked up Christopher Clark's Iron Kingdom, which is a history of Prussia. But I am also after a more general history of the 18th Century, as this is a period I know very little about. Anyone got any recommendations? And also, I'm after a decent history of ancient China if anyone knows of one. Waterstones was useless for both when I wandered round at lunch.

[Guitar Heroine]

What sort of thing for the 18thC are you after? I have a load of history stuff for that period but it only relates to things like the science, communication, thinking etc

Theres one book I really do like at thats 'An Entertainment for Angels' by Patricia Fara. She talks about electricity and the Enlightenment, Inventions, lightning cures etc. Its not a heavy book to get through, she writes beautifully and can be read with ease.

I can also pass your email onto my History lecturer who I'm sure could provide you with a decent booklist for your area of interest.

A couple of other history books I have and can recommend are : Newgate: Londons prototype of hell by Stephen Halliday, Necropolis: London and its dead by Catharine Arnold, Beldam: London and its mad also by Catharine Arnold, The World of Samuel Pepys edited by Robert and Linnet Latham, The Scientific Revolution and the origins of modern science by John Henry and London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd.

Might not be what youre after, but certainly good books and a sizeable chunk of 18thC history in those.

[Sirloin]

I'm after a political/diplomatic/military history mainly. I have quite a few history of science (public health mainly) and social history books on the period from my degree, but nothing on a wider scale. I've got the Ackroyd London book which is excellent, but I might try and pick that one on Newgate up. Cheers

[Guitar Heroine]

cheers. The Newgate one is excellent, her other book Bedlam is a great read too

[Archie]

I'm bumping this, as I wonder if anyone can recommend decent condensed history books? I'm seriously mortified at how little I know of England's history. I know there were Normans, Saxons, and maybe Plantagenets and Tudors at various points. And Cromwell. But that's about it.

I'm hoping the fact I find it difficult to get interested in 'real' history (i.e. before the 19th century) just means I haven't read the right book yet, so I want to start with some kind of condensed history written for idiots, so I can get an idea what to delve deeper into. Any recommendations?

[AndyB]

I enjoyed this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&tag=rllmukforumco-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738&location=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Utterly-Impartial-...4829&sr=1-2

[Sirloin]

E.M. Gombrich's A Little History of the World is excellent. There was a new edition out recently as well. Its 50 odd years old now, but still extremely readable and probably the best primer on the subject.

[Marzipan Travolta]

I'm bumping this, as I wonder if anyone can recommend decent condensed history books? I'm seriously mortified at how little I know of England's history. I know there were Normans, Saxons, and maybe Plantagenets and Tudors at various points. And Cromwell. But that's about it.

I'm hoping the fact I find it difficult to get interested in 'real' history (i.e. before the 19th century) just means I haven't read the right book yet, so I want to start with some kind of condensed history written for idiots, so I can get an idea what to delve deeper into. Any recommendations?

The 'Great Tales from English History' series by Robert Lacey are absolutely excellent. Taught me everything I know so they did. You can get one book with all three of the originals in now.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&tag=rllmukforumco-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738&location=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Tales-Englis...3542&sr=1-1

Can't recommend it enough.

[Ben]

I'm bumping this, as I wonder if anyone can recommend decent condensed history books? I'm seriously mortified at how little I know of England's history. I know there were Normans, Saxons, and maybe Plantagenets and Tudors at various points. And Cromwell. But that's about it.

I'm hoping the fact I find it difficult to get interested in 'real' history (i.e. before the 19th century) just means I haven't read the right book yet, so I want to start with some kind of condensed history written for idiots, so I can get an idea what to delve deeper into. Any recommendations?

Not a book so may not be of interest, but I'd recommend listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcasts which are very accessible and give you a short primer on a subject (he has further reading recommendations on the site) - he frequently admits he's not a historian so it's done in a very non-stuffy, passionate style. There's a three part show on the Punic Wars which is ridiculously compelling; the human losses involved are beyond comprehension.

[Archie]

Cool. My choices are a bit limited as I'm in South Korea, but I think I can get at least one of those. Thanks all!

[Paradigm]

Simon Schama's triptych is good for Britain, The Times' Complete History of the World for, well, the world. Hobsbawm's Age of Revolution is also an interesting (though more scholarly) read, as it focuses on the origins of the French Revolution and the British Industrial Revolution and goes from there (having set them in their own contexts). Very much the start of modern Europe.

[Isaac]

E.M. Gombrich's A Little History of the World is excellent. There was a new edition out recently as well. Its 50 odd years old now, but still extremely readable and probably the best primer on the subject.

I second this, as a quick run through of modern historical study (and the areas it focuses on) it's an excellent primer. Very readable too.

[Sirloin]

Just finished James Holland's new book Italy's Sorrow, which was very good. This and his book on the North Africa campaign have been very impressive.

[Marzipan Travolta]

Not a book so may not be of interest, but I'd recommend listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcasts which are very accessible and give you a short primer on a subject (he has further reading recommendations on the site) - he frequently admits he's not a historian so it's done in a very non-stuffy, passionate style. There's a three part show on the Punic Wars which is ridiculously compelling; the human losses involved are beyond comprehension.

Really enjoying these at the minute. Thanks so much for the link.

[Ben]

Glad you're liking it! I was recommended it by someone on here, definitely my favourite podcast. The current Ghosts of the Ostfront shows are excellent, some of the stories of the cruelties inflicted by both sides (often on themselves) are completely and utterly mindboggling - War is Hell.

[Looper]

I highly recommend the Binge Thinking History podcast - it's a English guy doing a similar sort of show to Hardcore History. The English Civil War episodes in particular explained the whole thing to me in a way that made a very complex subject make sense. The current run on the history of the Royal Navy is fascinating too.

Book wise as general histories Robert Harvey's The War of Wars: The Great European Conflict, 1793-1815 is superb, as is Roy and Lesley Adkins' The War For All The Oceans: From Nelson At The Nile To Napoleon At Waterloo. I've literally just finished this morning Richard Holmes' Redcoat which is a history of the British Army of the period and was very well put together.

[Sirloin]

War of Wars is outstanding, best book on the period I've read in a while.

[Rudi von Starnberg]

Yeah, I enjoyed War of Wars a lot, although it is slightly Anglocentric. I'd recommend looking up David Chandler's books on the Napoleonic Wars as well; they're very, very good.

[LittleJoe]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&tag=rllmukforumco-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738&location=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Campaigns-Napoleon...1844&sr=8-1

Anyone know where I'd be able to get a brand new copy of David Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon? Or recommend something of similar authority and good reputation that's possibly a little shorter. I've got a thirst for some Napoleonic history after reading War and Peace; I'd prefer not to read something as long as it if possible.

[BongoInferno]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&tag=rllmukforumco-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738&location=http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?i...1844&sr=8-1

Anyone know where I'd be able to get a brand new copy of David Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon? Or recommend something of similar authority and good reputation that's possibly a little shorter. I've got a thirst for some Napoleonic history after reading War and Peace; I'd prefer not to read something as long as it if possible.

Not sure if this link will work:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&tag=rllmukforumco-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738&location=http://www.amazon.co.uk/1812-Napoleons-Fat...8725&sr=1-4

1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow by Adam Zamoyski is brilliant - get it!

[Oh Danny Boy]

i've been going through Folio's a history of England volumes recently:

Currently reading volume 3; Early Medieval England by M. T. Clanchy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_History_of_England

Definitely recommended for anyone who is interested in English history as well as he good binding and being printed on quality paper as you'd expect Folio books. I've only been reading the first 5 volumes as i have no interest in English History after the Tudors.

[Danster]

I found this story of Magellan fascinating, as plugged on HH podcast

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Over-Edge-World-Laurence-Bergreen/dp/0007198558