I was wondering if anybody could recommend books about how history works, or how history is studied? Thanks in advance.

Any suggestions for a general overview of the Hundred Years War? I tried starting with Jonathan Sumption's 4-volume history but quickly found that I was way out of my depth. I'm looking for something that is a bit more friendly to readers with little to no background on the subject.

I recently read Pierre Razoux's book, "The Iran-Iraq War". It had a lot of interesting stuff and seemed well sourced, despite the odd francophone phrase or translation issue here and there.

What other well regarded works are out there that cover the post-revolution history of the Iranian military?

I'm reading a history of the Islamicization of the Bengal Delta prior to British Rule. 

The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760

Richard M. Eaton

What really interested me while reading this is how incredibly dynamic that region was. The book does a good job of reviewing Bengals social and political history prior to islamic rule and then the changes that appeared after. I wish it went more into the economic development of the region but it was still, I felt, a thorough overview.

After reading Les Miserables recently, I've become interested in the ideological aspects of the French Revolution. Specifically I find the idea of the Cult of Reason to be a fascinating one. Book recommendations to explore the background, implementation, and ultimate failure of that experiment?

What are the best books about the American labor movement?

Currently reading 1917: War, Peace, and Revolution, by David Stevenson. Still on Part 1 of 4, so not much to discuss about at the moment.

Germany's decision to reinforce unrestricted submarine warfare has caused the US to adapt an 'armed neutrality' stance, and started arming merchant ships. The leak of the Zimmerman telegram became Wilson's basis for calling for Congress to declare hostilities against Germany, and thus bring America into the Great War.

Also reading The Age of the Democratic Revolution, by R.R. Palmer. I admit I'm still struggling to explain in writing what it's about, though I do understand enough of it. The book's main thesis is that the French Revolution isn't effected by the American Revolution; instead, both events are manifestations of the same ideas that have been causing pressure among European aristocracies even before 1770.

Both are really good books; I enjoy reading them.

I have to write a paper in sociology about the JFK assassination and how it impacted society. Could anyone recommend credible sources to learn more about JFK and his contribution while in office?

I'm looking for historically significant information to gain a better foundation of knowledge.

I would appreciate any book recommendations that discuss JFK without falling down a rabbit hole related to the assassination.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an advance copy of Dr. Megan Kate Nelson's The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West which comes out next month. Only half way through so far, but it is excellent. Well written, gripping narrative about a part of the war I have been up to now entirely ignorant (I think The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly being the main picture I have of the theater is actually negative points). Highly recommend everyone consider preordering it!