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.
If anyone is interested in starting research in pre-Columbian Latin America, here is the link to a few books to get you started!
Anybody have recommendations about the hispanic history in north America? I‘m planning to do a semester abroad in New Mexico next year and simply know next to nothing about this topic.
Hi! I’d love any recs re: late medieval religious culture, but am particularly fascinated with the stranger side of things, like the relationship between religion and practices of “magic” (conjuration, divination, astrology, necromancy, exorcism, etc—I know the meaning of some of these terms change over time). I’m also interested in knowing if they played any role in warfare, ie if the crown ever sought help from people who claimed to be adept in such practices for warfare/politics or if books of “magic” were intended more as entertainment.
I am looking for a good book to read about the crusades, but there are so many. I’d like to know which one you recommend.
If I want to read primary source Roman History like Livy, Polybius, Plutarch etc. What translations are recommended by people that have read the ancient sources?
Does anyone have a good suggestion of a biography of Henry A Wallace? I recently watched a history show about the US from the start of WWII and on. It touched on Henry progressive stance and his vision of not a cold war but rather a industrial, commerce race between the US and the USSR. Id like to learn more and get your suggestions.
Thank you!!!
Edit: or if there is a book that looks at figures in US history that the common person might not heard about that have such forward thinking ideas thatd be cool too. I had never heard about henry and seems like a man before his time
Edit 2: the netflix documentry was called the Untold History of the US. It was created by Oliver Stone. Any books like this? That provide a different lens to the common narrative? I suppose really all history kinda does that depending on the books you read. I just thought this was a cool blend of what happened and what couldve happened
Does anyone have any recommendations covering the Three Kingdoms of Korea? It's quite difficult looking for books on it since most searches yield results pertaining to the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Additionally, what are your opinions about Samuel Hawley's book on the Imjin War?
Can anyone recommend a book!( in English) on Eastern partisans during the Second World War? I am particularly interested in the Soviet controlled units.
Anyone looking for an enjoyable 2nd World war Escape read should look at the 21 Escapes of Lt Alistair Cram by David M. Guss
I'm looking for books on southeast asian history and trade, particulary around the straits of molucca. Any suggestions?
Is there any solid academic work out there about the history of the video game industry? All I've ever been able to find are pop history books that repeat anecdotes without much in the way of sources.
Anyone know any good books on the ancient Samnites?
What has recently been released about the Kennedy assassination since the declassification of US government records that contain the most intriguing insights?
Any good architectural history books? Maybe with a focus on vernacular architecture so it’s not all churches, castles and mansions?
I want to learn more about the Second Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Mostly, I'm interested in the film industry and also the Lavender Scare. So far, I've read David Oshinsky's biography A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy and watched a couple of documentaries, including The Hollywood Ten (1950).
I'm a layman, so works that are more accessible would be preferred.
I'm interested in a book on the history of German beer-making as a gift for a friend who majored in history. I'd hope it would be a fun read, but it doesn't have to be too overly poppy, though I guess it wouldn't be a problem if it were. Books on similar topics would be welcome, too. Thanks!
Do any historians of the American West have any recommendations for a comprehensive history of Utah that is academically critical and secular?
I'd be grateful for recommendations covering the history of Delhi from the middle ages and the modern period.