I would like a book that has the following traits:

• Covers all european history from cavemen to present
• Is easy to read and doesn't assume a ton of prior knowlege
• Focuses more on pre 1900 stuff, with a lot of information about rome, the huns, the mongols, ect.
• Isn't super progressive or SJWy. I don't want a howard zinn type book.

If you have any recommendations I would appreciate it. Thanks!

I've read numerous accounts about Lincoln peering out over the city from the White House and asking "why won't they attack, why won't they attack?". He was certain the city was doomed. The Union Army was delayed in their reaching Washington and the Confederacy was right across the Potomac in a perfect position to cross over and do as they wished to the capitol, but they never did. They allowed the Northern army to enter and secure the city, thus giving up their best chance of preventing a long drawn out war AND making their secession official. I've read numerous accounts of how they didn't invade, but I've never read an account as to why. Was there ever an official statement made by the leaders of the Rebellion that explained their decision to remain neutral?

I was rewatching the movie 'Amadeus' and I find it hard to believe that Joseph II really censored ballet in the theater. From what I've read about him, he was known for reducing censorship across Austria. Was this part of his reforms?

The line in context:

Among thise otherefolk was Criseyda,

In widewes habit blak; but nantheles,

Right as oure firste lettre is now an A,

In beaute first so stood she, makeles.

(Chaucer, Troilus and Criseyde I. 169 - 172)

Were there many big changes to the English alphabet in Chaucer's time? At what point did the English alphabet acquire the 26 letters and order we know today?

India was referred to as a jewel in the British empire, but why? India itself was pretty poor during the period I think. Did they pay a lot of taxes or contribute lots of soldiers to the army or was it something else?

At its height, Sweden held land in current Germany. Those lands were in Pomerania, which is neither a very prosperous region, nor directly connected to Sweden. How did Sweden ended up controlling Pomerania? Why Pomerania and not lands in Denmark, or Norway for instance, or more prosperous towns like Lübeck, Kiel or Hamburg?

If it was to set an example, why him in particular?

I am reading through 1800s poems and encountered an connotation to sperm, but the entire poem vastly changes meaning if you say it is the female sperm.

I remember reading we 'recently' (modern time) learned that women dont have sperm (their discharge) but cant find citations. Help?

Hello - I seem to recall a band of pilgrims being led to the Holy Land following a goose and they ended up hopelessly lost.

Are there many references to this by contemporaries and did the Wild Goose Chase saying descend from this event?

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This expression is tossed around a lot, and obviously in many ways perspective is everything. It got me thinking, how much of what we were taught in history classes back in like high school is accurate? Is it pretty close to on point? Or do they stay away from any controversial topics and instead teach a watered down, inaccurate summary?

From what I understand in my leisurely researching and documentary viewings about World War 2 and the aftermath, why did so many Nazi soldiers and officers get off so easy? I've read that many lived long and happy lives after the war. Were they just not looked at as important enough anymore? I feel like most of them should have at least seen a life sentence in prison for crimes against humanity and and other malicious forms of abuse against the Jews and other minorities during the power of the Third Reich. Can any more knowledgeable colleagues answer this for me? I'd appreciate insight.

Did they actively try to persecute other religions or did they give freedom to the people?

Frequently it always seems that data and then-contemporary sources will focus on the literate, obviously; what I am curious to know though, is how frequently peasants from various trades would have ready access to a wagon or cart (not a carriage which appear far later) for personal transport?

If you wanted to go to the next village over and were traveling light, it would appear you walked. Maybe a few more villages over you'd need to borrow a horse or use one of your own. But say for one reason or another, be it pilgrimage or otherwise, you needed to trave long distance yet you still had access to fine roads and paths; would a family or inviduals use a cart for transport of people as they might otherwise usually use it for goods?

Do we have any accounts of accidents, anecdotes of the slowly rolling hills of the countryside not on the back of a horse but the bench of a cart?

Can you expand on mid-medieval/middle ages personal transport at all?

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