NationStates Jolt Archive


Who loves history?

Alaxsxa
22-02-2005, 23:15
I love history and I really enjoy the history of Alaska which can be found here http://alaxsxa.com
Corisan
22-02-2005, 23:18
I love most history but sometimes it can be very dull. Medieval is my favorite but I havent really studied it much. I also love Geography.
Corneliu
22-02-2005, 23:19
History is my secondary major at the university I attend!

I particularly like studying World War II!
Alaxsxa
22-02-2005, 23:22
I love most history but sometimes it can be very dull. Medieval is my favorite but I havent really studied it much. I also love Geography.


I love Geography as well. It is really interesting how many people in the United States do not realise that most of Europe is above 40 degrees latitude.
St Wongo
22-02-2005, 23:23
Recommend you contact thet queendom of Roisin Marie in the region of waterchaville!
Isselmere
22-02-2005, 23:23
I'm struggling through a master's on current French educational history. I much prefer the French Revolution, the Scottish Enlightenment, early modern European, and ancient Eurasian history. Chinese history, what little I know of it, is fascinating.
Dimmimar
22-02-2005, 23:23
I enjoy ancient history, mainly about classical greece and the rise of rome...
Justifidians
22-02-2005, 23:28
I enjoy ancient history, mainly about classical greece and the rise of rome...


Ditto, history is one of my majors.
Europaland
22-02-2005, 23:29
I'm interested in history but mainly modern history from around 1800 as it is more concerned with politics. My favourite topics are the history of the working class and communist movements, social reforms and the cold war.
World wide allies
22-02-2005, 23:30
History is great, I enjoy learning about Revolution (Russia and Cuba), The Second World War, and The rise and fall of Rome.

Sometimes, it can get rather tedious if you are learning about something you don't particually have an interest in, but I normally enjoy the subject :)

[History is one of my classes at cool-ige.]
Nadkor
22-02-2005, 23:30
im going a degree in history, so yes, i rather like it
Moonseed
22-02-2005, 23:31
I have a great interest in all history, though slightly more in World War 2 and slightly less in Tudors and Stuarts (I think I did this a bit too often in school and just got sick of it...) :)
31
23-02-2005, 01:14
History is quite enjoyable. I have been studying military history since the 4th grade. Read, Patton, A Study In Command, when I was in the 5th grade. (didn't understand most of it but by god I remember slogging through it and being sent for counciling by the teacher because she thought I must have had a terrible home life.)
I focus mainly on logistical, strategic and tactical doctrine of any war that strikes my fancy.
By then, any history is fun to learn. history. . .mmmmmmm.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 01:15
History is quite enjoyable. I have been studying military history since the 4th grade. Read, Patton, A Study In Command, when I was in the 5th grade. (didn't understand most of it but by god I remember slogging through it and being sent for counciling by the teacher because she thought I must have had a terrible home life.)
I focus mainly on logistical, strategic and tactical doctrine of any war that strikes my fancy.
By then, any history is fun to learn. history. . .mmmmmmm.

You were sent to counciling for reading a book?
31
23-02-2005, 01:19
You were sent to counciling for reading a book?

yep, and once for drawing a picture in the 3rd grade. It was a military, stick figure picture. you know, little tanks and guys fighting. I was a kid.
I went to a private christian school, most of the teachers were pacifists and didn't quite know what to do with me.
New Shiron
23-02-2005, 01:19
I earned my degree in history, with minors in anthropology and government. I hope to go back to school soon (as the kids are getting older and I will have more time) to get my Masters so that I can torture junior college students by teaching it part time.

(evil laughter)

I generally study Military History, European (modern, ancient and the middle ages) and historical anthropology the most and generally read 1 - 2 books a month on one of those three subjects and have since I was a kid.
Jordaxia
23-02-2005, 01:22
I'm fascinated by history, particularly Carthaginian andGreek history. I'm recently reading a book on the three punic wars, it's very, very interesting to read how hannibal did what he did (despite the fact that's only the second punic war, never mind.) I want to be doing history at university next year. I'm interested in Roman history, but prefer to read about their defeats (Cannae, Teutoberg) rather than their victories. Because Rome deserved whatever it got :P


I realise that I only refer to the military side, but that's purely because of the books I'm reading at the moment. The social side, and especially the mythologies of Greece are of particular interest to me, despite the fact that they are not true "history" as it were.
Patra Caesar
23-02-2005, 01:22
I like history, but not the boring kind which seem to be just annals (This event happened at this time, followed by this event later, followed by another event et cetera). I like my history to be full of individuals, anecdotes (sp?) and the like, something that lets you see what people were like, how they lived and why they did what they did.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 01:22
yep, and once for drawing a picture in the 3rd grade. It was a military, stick figure picture. you know, little tanks and guys fighting. I was a kid.
I went to a private christian school, most of the teachers were pacifists and didn't quite know what to do with me.

Ah that explains it. Pacifist teachers would have no clue. When the Gulf War broke out, I was like 8. Me and my friends played army. They were going to stop us but my mother convinced them to let us play it.
Niccolo Medici
23-02-2005, 01:53
I studied qncient European history, WW1&2, Russian History, Chinese History, Japanese History, (I really wanted to study Korean history, but I ran out of time), and Military history with a foucus Ancient Chinese military history.
Naryna
23-02-2005, 02:08
In general i love history. Some particular parts are very boring however... At college at the moment we're doing an extremely in depth view on Henry VII's reign, and while it has it's interesting bits (Like the common people of kent chasing an invading army off) most of it is boring...
Marrakech II
23-02-2005, 02:09
Military history major myself. Its absolutely amazing what you can learn from the past. Not enough people take the time to do it. Alas they are destined to repeat.
Patra Caesar
23-02-2005, 02:12
Military history major myself. Its absolutely amazing what you can learn from the past. Not enough people take the time to do it. Alas they are destined to repeat.

And what career can you do with history, other than teaching it or writing about it? I'm not digging at ya, I'm just curious...
New Shiron
23-02-2005, 03:41
And what career can you do with history, other than teaching it or writing about it? I'm not digging at ya, I'm just curious...

would you believe an 18 year career so far in welfare casework and employment and social services? :)

History majors can write decent case notes... although the years I spent working in Special Education while working through college may have more to do with it. While working in the schools I noticed if you were a male history teacher you also had to coach a sport, and I wasn't interested in doing that.
Shinzawai
23-02-2005, 03:58
Love history, it's great. In particular Ancient Rome and Greece, Egypt to a lesser degree. Everything I find out about European history through the Middle Ages is fascinating.
Also like WWII, did a huge essay on The Nazis couple of years ago...very interesting.

I HATE Australian history though. Who the hell cares about a bunch of convicts? Well, I might have done the first four years of studying the same people and events over and over again...school really ruined that section of history for me.

Anyway...history is good
Anarchic Conceptions
23-02-2005, 04:14
Considering I'm currently studying it at uni, I'd say I like it.

I mainly like Social History. Military History in my eyes one of the most boring types of history.
Andaluciae
23-02-2005, 04:24
I love history!
JRRmiddle earth
23-02-2005, 04:26
i absolutely love history.but today in high school ppl think its stupid to like history .... so i tell those people that they might as well jump off a damn cliff b/c w/o history we wouldnt have anything ( or most of what we have )
Patra Caesar
23-02-2005, 04:26
Love history, it's great. In particular Ancient Rome and Greece, Egypt to a lesser degree. Everything I find out about European history through the Middle Ages is fascinating.
Also like WWII, did a huge essay on The Nazis couple of years ago...very interesting.

I HATE Australian history though. Who the hell cares about a bunch of convicts? Well, I might have done the first four years of studying the same people and events over and over again...school really ruined that section of history for me.

Anyway...history is good

I don't mind Australian history actually. Yes, there are plenty of boring bits and there are even more parts that make me cringe, but there's not that much of it really.
Daistallia 2104
23-02-2005, 04:33
Minored in history at university (polisci major).

My favorite eras would be: WWII, Sengoku period (mid-late 16th C.) Japanese, and the Renaissance in Europe.
Stormforge
23-02-2005, 04:36
I had sort of a history/literature thing going on in college. I always enjoyed reading the fictionalized accounts of historical events, such as the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the "Heikemonogatari," and "The Three Musketeers." Yeah, I know the last one isn't quite in the same category, but it's close enough.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 06:02
Considering I'm currently studying it at uni, I'd say I like it.

I mainly like Social History. Military History in my eyes one of the most boring types of history.

How is it the most boring. I actually find it the opposite.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 06:05
Minored in history at university (polisci major).

I'm majoring in Poli Sci as well as history :)

Rock on my poli sci sibling

My favorite eras would be: WWII, Sengoku period (mid-late 16th C.) Japanese, and the Renaissance in Europe.

Nice topics
Weitzel
23-02-2005, 06:13
Meh, it's alright.

But those that live in the past aren't living in the present...
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 06:18
Meh, it's alright.

But those that live in the past aren't living in the present...

He who fails to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.
Anarchic Conceptions
23-02-2005, 06:26
He who fails to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.

Those that learn the lessons of history are doomed to be dragged kicking and screaming back to the dark ages by those that haven't.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 06:28
Those that learn the lessons of history are doomed to be dragged kicking and screaming back to the dark ages by those that haven't.

They can apply the lessons of history to future conflicts.
Anarchic Conceptions
23-02-2005, 06:32
How is it the most boring. I actually find it the opposite.
Well, just personal preference.

I find the studying of how a society has acted under certain situations, and the major cultural beliefs that form a society infinitely more fascinating then the study of battles, wars, campaigns and techological developements in arms. This is not to say that I completely ignore that aspect of history, since all topics in History are inter-related these things impact on topics in history I am interested. I'm also not saying that military history is completely worthless, or worthless in any way shape or form. Just that it is not my cup of tea.
Anarchic Conceptions
23-02-2005, 06:33
Meh, it's alright.

But those that live in the past aren't living in the present...

You seem to be assuming that we study history for the sake of learning history and reading stories.

I would say that history is immensly important in the modern world for a variety of reasons.

But then again, I would say that.
Corneliu
23-02-2005, 06:35
Well, just personal preference.

I find the studying of how a society has acted under certain situations, and the major cultural beliefs that form a society infinitely more fascinating then the study of battles, wars, campaigns and techological developements in arms. This is not to say that I completely ignore that aspect of history, since all topics in History are inter-related these things impact on topics in history I am interested. I'm also not saying that military history is completely worthless, or worthless in any way shape or form. Just that it is not my cup of tea.

Oh I understand now :)
Niccolo Medici
23-02-2005, 07:14
I had sort of a history/literature thing going on in college. I always enjoyed reading the fictionalized accounts of historical events, such as the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," the "Heikemonogatari," and "The Three Musketeers." Yeah, I know the last one isn't quite in the same category, but it's close enough.

Hmm? And here I thought I was the only person alive to read those books for fun. I must say, I'll have to keep my eye out for your posts more often. To say I'm a huge "fan" of those accounts would be a vast understatement, finding someone else with similar interests feels like seeing a total solar eclipse.
Jordaxia
23-02-2005, 16:11
Hmm? And here I thought I was the only person alive to read those books for fun. I must say, I'll have to keep my eye out for your posts more often. To say I'm a huge "fan" of those accounts would be a vast understatement, finding someone else with similar interests feels like seeing a total solar eclipse.


Well, I prefer the actual accounts of ancient events, which I do read for fun, the history of the Peloponesian war, for example, as well as contemporary analysis' of the events by historians. I also like to lead classical philosophical works, like the republic, and the book of Lord Shang, which is insane, but interesting. A very extreme legalist text, which I don't really agree with.
The Prince as well is very interesting, it's very short, but I tend to find myself reading passages two or three times to make sure I completely absord it all.


*would glance over at my recently expanded bookshelf, but it's on another wall in another room*
Jimnam
24-02-2005, 13:45
Just about to finish a degree in Contemporary Military and International History. So one could say that I enjoy history.

Prefer the period of WWII and onwards especially in naval and armoured warfare.
The Commie Conspiracy
24-02-2005, 13:46
*would glance over at my recently expanded bookshelf, but it's on another wall in another room*
In Soviet Russia, bookshelf...

Damn. I give up already.
Ankher
24-02-2005, 13:47
I love history and I really enjoy the history of Alaska which can be found here http://alaxsxa.com
I love history, especially pre-Hellenistic history, but not Alaska.
Great Scotia
24-02-2005, 16:47
The Alaska thing looked more like geography to me.
Which is cool.
I like geography. Also history, more than anything else in the world, with the possible exception of the People's Republic of Bouville.

Like this:
http://www.livius.org


No, wait! I found the history bit. Seems a curious region to be especially interested in, if you don't mind me saying.
Niccolo Medici
24-02-2005, 18:16
Well, I prefer the actual accounts of ancient events, which I do read for fun, the history of the Peloponesian war, for example, as well as contemporary analysis' of the events by historians. I also like to lead classical philosophical works, like the republic, and the book of Lord Shang, which is insane, but interesting. A very extreme legalist text, which I don't really agree with.
The Prince as well is very interesting, it's very short, but I tend to find myself reading passages two or three times to make sure I completely absord it all.

*would glance over at my recently expanded bookshelf, but it's on another wall in another room*

I would agree, but for my fascination with the Romance's effects on the interpretation of history. If you look at Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang and such from the book, you'll notice that they seem to be remembered as their fictional selves more than their factual selves; yet everyone acknowledges this and doesn't seem to care. Interesting stuff, and it seems to apply to most historical-fictions of old.

I agree completely, The Prince and the Art of War (Sun's not Niccolo's), both have that quality, where you read a terse passage and get "hung up" considering all the varied implications of it. The best books are the ones that make you strongly consider an issue from multiple angles.

BTW, I only have "excerpts" of Lord Shang's book. Do you have any Publisher info, so I can track down a copy?
Ro-Ro
24-02-2005, 18:23
ooo, ooo, me! *waves arms*
Haken Rider
24-02-2005, 18:25
I like the 16th, 17th, 18th century periods.
Eurotrash Smokey
24-02-2005, 18:26
ww1, ww2 and vietnam are the most interesting ones for me
Jordaxia
24-02-2005, 18:33
BTW, I only have "excerpts" of Lord Shang's book. Do you have any Publisher info, so I can track down a copy?


I'll just go get my copy of it...

my copy is from the "Wordsworths classics of world literature", and is combined with Sun Tzu's art of War, which comes with an analysis by a modern Chinese General, a Tao Hanzhang. The books follow one after the other, with the analysis bridging in the middle. The Book of Lord Shang isn't actually its own publication.

the website I'm pointed to is www.wordsworth-editions.com

I doubt it's particularly expensive though, and I can find no mention of either of the books being abridged in any form, so they should be the full works.
Brownlove
24-02-2005, 18:34
I too love History. There is so much of it and always something new to learn or a different angle to see events from. Didnt someone say that history is written by the winners of wars.
Alaxsxa
24-02-2005, 23:15
Bump