Thursday Reading and Recommendations is intended as bookish free-for-all, for the discussion and recommendation of all books historical, or tangentially so. Suggested topics include, but are by no means limited to:
Asking for book recommendations on specific topics or periods of history
Newly published books and articles you're dying to read
Recent book releases, old book reviews, reading recommendations, or just talking about what you're reading now
Historiographical discussions, debates, and disputes
...And so on!
Regular participants in the Thursday threads should just keep doing what they've been doing; newcomers should take notice that this thread is meant for open discussion of history and books, not just anything you like -- we'll have a thread on Friday for that, as usual.
Are there any books that look at the early history of dinosaurs? By that I mean the study of them, particularly in the 1800s and early 1900s. Read a lot about it when I was really young, but wouldn't mind getting back in now and seeing it from a more serious perspective.
Any recommendations on Books focusing on Southeast Asia Before 1500 AD? The AskHistorians booklist focused after 1600.
Hello, I'm looking for a book about the China Warring States period, possibly written by contemporary historians rahter than ancient accounts. Does askhistorians have any suggestion?
I'd be grateful for reading suggestions on the history of the League of Nations- especially, looking for a focus on structure and function. Open to both popular history and books targeted at more narrow academic audiences.
Does anyone know of any good, readable books for a layperson that give a general history of human civilisation from the agricultural revolution to the present?
Took a break from non fiction after "Why Dinosaurs Mattered" and worked through some sci fi, but I'm back in the saddle. Reading through @war by Shane Harris on the rise of cyberwar and fighting on the internet. Good stuff so far, although I'm not super taken by the writing style.
Also rereading "The Library Book" by Susan Orlean. All about a massive fire at the LA Library in the 80’s, as well as a look at libraries across North America and in general. its a good mix of history and also the challenges facing modern libraries as they try and switch over to becoming more 'community centers' and having to choose between cutting down on books or what else to do.
Currently reading William Penn: A Life by Andrew Murphy. Definitely recommend for all interested in colonial history of America.
Can anyone recommend a good survey history of the Jews in Europe / the Mediterranean, from roughly the Roman period to the late Middle Ages?
Would really appreciate recommendations regarding the rise of fascism, European integration, or Silicon Valley.
I'm currently doing research on Soviet engineering and design. Does any have any good books or papers that discuss the design approach and philosophy of Soviet military machinery? I've seen plenty of quotes about the ruggedness of soviet and Russian vehicles, planes etc but I've found few sources I can cite. I'm interested in exploring the philosophy towards maintenance, and repairs and how that may differ compared to other countries- for example the US Military.