For most of my life I've neglected the study of history. In the past couple years I've read the early Greek historians, three of Will Durant's "Story of Civilization" books, and am currently reading J. Huizinga's "Waning of the Middle Ages".
I'm coming to deeply appreciate the educational value and excitement of works of history, but it seems there's such a vast sea of books to read. I'm not a fast reader, so I'm wondering if I could ask some opinions on what are some of the most edifying, "bang for your buck" works of history. What books do you think are the most timeless, mind expanding, well-written and instructional? Thank you.
I think "Metahistory" by Hayden White should be required reading for all historians, but also everyone in general. It encapsulates the linguistic turn as applied to history, questions the historical enterprise, and simultaneously forces one to ask very tough questions about the crafting of one's own life as a narrative.
Michel Foucault. I recommend starting with Discipline and Punish, but others might say The Birth of the Clinic.
The only scholar who rivals Foucault for me as far as larger explanations for historical events in the age of capitalism is Hannah Arendt. For me, the essentially work is The Origins Of Totalitarianism, but the consensus is on The Human Condition. They're both great.
Also, read some Marx. The Communist Manifesto is a fine start, though eventually you'll want to check out Capital.