Today:
You know the drill: this is the thread for all your history-related outpourings that are not necessarily questions. Minor questions that you feel don't need or merit their own threads are welcome too. Discovered a great new book, documentary, article or blog? Has your Ph.D. application been successful? Have you made an archaeological discovery in your back yard? Did you find an anecdote about the Doge of Venice telling a joke to Michel Foucault? Tell us all about it.
As usual, moderation in this thread will be relatively non-existent -- jokes, anecdotes and light-hearted banter are welcome.
Here's our latest archival find that will help to combat Holocaust denial: we have located in the Bundesarchiv and authenticated an original copy of the 1943 Franke-Gricksch report on the mass murder of Jews in Auschwitz (heretofore only known as a postwar typed copy and thus not usable against deniers):
http://holocaustcontroversies.blogspot.com/2019/08/nazi-document-on-mass-extermination-of.html
To date this is the only known Nazi document describing the procedures of an extermination camp explicitly (not hiding behind code words like "special treatment") and in detail.
What’s your opinion on historical accuracy in films vs entertainment/messaging value?
I used to think films were just entertainment and it was up to the audience to educate themselves but I’ve realized that the vast majority of people take films at face value and that it being “just entertainment” isn’t a valid excuse. Historical film makers have the responsibility to show the stories as accurately as possible because, like it or not, they’re educating people.
Just think how much damage Braveheart did vs Outlaw King. OLK still has inaccuracies but it’s still a overall better film.
Hi. I am new to Reddit. Read your posting rules. Really enjoy your postings. Am reading 90% of them. Thank you! I enjoy anything 16th century as well as portuguese explorers.
Your Weekly /r/askhistorians Recap
Friday, August 16 - Thursday, August 22
| Top 10 Posts | score | link to comments |
|---|---|---|
| Were The Beatles despised by contemporary young men in the 1960's the same way One Direction or Justin Bieber were in the 2010's? | 4,117 | 156 comments |
| At the end of Schindler's List, it depicts all the factory workers and guards listening to Churchill's victory speech. Is this how the people of the Third Reich learnt about their unconditional surrender, or was this made up by Spielberg? | 3,454 | 73 comments |
| As the US continued to expand westward, was there ever consideration of moving the capital further west as well? | 2,700 | 78 comments |
| I'm a Native American in the eastern US c. 1500. What Geographic Knowledge do I have? Would I be aware of the Rockies? The Pacific? Mesoamerican Civilizations? | 2,389 | 52 comments |
| How did the Salem Witch Trials become the face of historical witch hunts when European witch trials took place earlier and were more numerous? | 2,314 | 101 comments |
| Floating Feature: "Share the History of Religion and Philosophy", Thus Spake Zarathustra | 2,191 | 64 comments |
| Why did Stalin recriminalize homosexuality in Russia after Lenin decriminalized it? | 2,105 | 70 comments |
| Media Monday: Crusader Kings II | 2,104 | 93 comments |
| When did garbage collection become a common feature in American cities? What did people do with their refuse before that? | 1,988 | 59 comments |
| How did Charles de Gaulle managed to sit "at the table of the victors" of WWII and secure for France a permanent seat at the UNSC? | 1,563 | 122 comments |
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What's a good book to read about historical linguistics?
This question would've better fit yesteraday's Reading sticky thread, but I kinda missed that one so I'll ask here.
Can anyone recommend a good book on the history of socialism? I'm more or less well acquainted with the theory side of things from Marx to present day (although less so pre-Marx), but I find I'm severely lacking in the history of socialist social and political movements (which the theories claim is the entire point, no?). I'd love a big, comprehensive overview but I know those aren't always available so yeah, any recommendations appreciated.
I'm glad to find this thread. I have a tiny question. Twice in C. S. Lewis's Narnia books, the word "brick" is used to mean "a very good person". I'm more used to hearing it used in a negative way: "He's dumb as a brick!" How did "brick" come to mean "a good person" in Briitsh slang?
I recently started working on background for a book about a world with an alternate WW2. I'm super excited about the world I've been building!
Hi all I have a question about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). I’m doing a large side project on them and the workings of Theodor Rosevelt. I was quite certain that the men who worked under the CCC had a nick name of some kind? I’ve looked around and haven’t found it though? If anyone knows of this it would be life saving! (Link to original source if possible)... THANK YOU!