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:
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.
Watched Jurassic Park on the weekend and its got me on a kick for dinosaurs. Specifically though I'd love any recommendations on the fossil wars that kicked off in the early days of dino hunting, but I'll appreciate any book that looks at the history of dinosaurs in some way.
I read the Jomsvikinga Saga and loved it, which sagas (or other things) should I read next?
Can anyone recommend a good biography of Charles Guiteau? I’ve enjoyed listening to the soundtrack to Assassins and am curious how much of Guiteau’s depiction is accurate.
Looking for books on the history of the railroad industry. Particularly from its origins through the 19th century. If there's any text which discusses international competition, technical, and economic developments of the industry as a whole I'd be very appreciative. For instance, how 'internal improvements' and tariffs may or may not have played a role in its development.
Could be more on the academic side, looking to get a little deep into the subject.