I've been interested in WWII since I was a kid. I read Rise and Fall of the Third Reich when I was 13. One of my neighbors noticed this and asked me to do him a favor. He gave me all forty volumes of The Pearl Harbor Attack Hearings and asked me to find the "smoking gun" that would prove FDR "did it". Took me two years to plow through all that material and at the end I had to tell him there was no proof against FDR.
"Well, I know it's out there somewhere!" Later he told me that he was a veteran, having served with Washington at Valley Forge.
Anyway, if you're into WWII try visiting Hyperwar (http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/).
A field of historical study ought to be how this country became to fucking batshit crazy to have a reasonable conversation.
Roman military history of the late period. So much so thats what my PhD is in.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 07, 2014, 08:19:28 AM
What is/are your primary area(s) of historical interest?
I find that the past is full of history.
Military history, tactics, history of politics, history of art. Roman conquests, disease control, the growth and expansion of the economic systems of the world
I look at it all
What seems interesting to me is why so many people seem to be so interested in warfare, but all to often ignoring the root problems and lame justifications for starting wars in the first place.
It's always the same things, money, religion, I want what you have, occasionally its over women.
But usually it's God, Gold, and Glory
I am a fan of Persian/Mesopotamian/Turkish history, as well as Chinese and the Central Asian states, Mongolian, Indian, Japanese, Polynesian/Indonesian history... African history is interesting too.
Quote from: GrinningYMIR on May 07, 2014, 11:23:18 AM
It's always the same things, money, religion, I want what you have, occasionally its over women.
But usually it's God, Gold, and Glory
Well you've solved it. We know what the cause is so no need to go to war anymore.
World War 1. I used to own models of all the airplanes and my father served in it. I am currently compiling a statement he made along with some pictures of him, and the picture of his grave. Although the Civil War is considered the first modern war, WW1 was the war that fielded weapons of mass destruction like Zeppelins and Mustard and Chlorine gas.
I loved the classical age (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity) before it was cool.
Rise and fall of the big dictatorships of the 20th centuries, WW2.
Yeah, I could have easily majored in History versus English Lit. About equally useful for me.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 07, 2014, 11:53:45 AM
I loved the classical age (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity) before it was cool.
You were born before the renaissance...?
Wow! You're a really
old geezer!
When I started writing my book nearly 20 years ago, I made a decided effort to make sure what I was taught was true, boy did I get an eye opener. So many things we were taught were not necessarily wrong but woefully shy of the full story. I became fascinated with the first 60 years of American history from Jamestown on and then backed up to St. Augustine. Later I got into Boorsteins books that are completely marvelously wonderfully documented historical masterpieces. Also there is Gruns "Timetables of History" which is a masterpiece of historical information as to what was happening in various fields of human society at the same time. SImply fucking fascinating.
I am currently converting 800+ pages of US Naval Regulations to HTML for the Naval Historical Center.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 25, 2014, 04:58:37 PM
I am currently converting 800+ pages of US Naval Regulations to HTML for the Naval Historical Center.
I bet that is about as exciting as it sounds.
Main historical subject? Physics! Solitary
Quote from: stromboli on May 25, 2014, 05:08:37 PM
I bet that is about as exciting as it sounds.
For me, it is.
I grew up and live within easy driving distance of many significant American Civil War battlefields. I also had several ancestors who served on both sides, so I have always had a great interest in the study of that war.
My historical interests are things that happened in the past. I know, call me the oddball here.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on May 25, 2014, 04:58:37 PM
I am currently converting 800+ pages of US Naval Regulations to HTML for the Naval Historical Center.
I was in the Navy. Seems I remember at least 800 pages just enlisting.
I am also interested in the prehistoric era of the mid to late Neolithic, the time ascribed to Noah. So much of what we are as humans stems from the end of our hunter-gather existence and the foundation of cities and temples, like Gobekli Tebe. The Gilgamesh legend and the early creation of the codexes of law and written language. The more we discover, the more we see where modern humanity comes from.
My primary interest would be Medieval/Renaissance history, and the history of leftism.
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on May 29, 2014, 03:23:54 AM
I was in the Navy.
These are the original "Rocks and Shoals".
QuoteSeems I remember at least 800 pages just enlisting.
and at the bottom, in the fine print: "You are now US government property."
My interest is in Aryan history, RigVeda, and their interaction with indigenous Indians and their beliefs. Like Stromboli said, the 'Noah period' or I would say the 'Orion Period', because at one time the Aryan New Year began with vernal equinox when the sun rose in the asterism of Orion - Mrigashiras (The Hunter or the Antelopes head)/Agrahayana (The First) Nakshatra. I am supposed to have an Aryan descent, though I do not claim purity of blood.
My interests shift quite a bit, but in terms of region I am stuck on the Middle East/North Africa for now. Before that, it was the Orient. Humanity has been in conflict so often that it's quite hard to find a 'favourite' time period to follow for wars. Modern wars, anywhere from WW1 to present, interest me much more than wars that happened in the past hundreds/thousands of years. It's good to get some historical context, but other than that, I'm more concerned with my world as it's happening in this modern age.
From proto-paleo-anthropology upto and including the renaissance.
I.o.w. from Ramapithecus to Leonardo da Vinci.
I am presently heavily into Medieval/Renaissance. But I find almost any history enjoyable if not totally fascinating with the exception of Egyptian history and that because I see too many TV shows relating to Pharaonic Egypt.
Robert
Quote from: Ro3bert on August 15, 2014, 09:49:44 PMI am presently heavily into Medieval/Renaissance. But I find almost any history enjoyable if not totally fascinating with the exception of Egyptian history and that because I see too many TV shows relating to Pharaonic Egypt.
So you're saying Abydios to egyptian history? :P
Quote from: Hydra009 on August 15, 2014, 10:06:15 PM
So you're saying Abydios to egyptian history? :P
That and any other mummy histories. At least for the present.
Robert
I get interested in one thing or another at different times, but I don't think I have a primary interest in any one aspect of history. Lewis and Clark kind of interests me. I can't say they really accomplished anything important. The West was going to get settled whether they went on their trip or not, but it was one Hell of a camping trip. All they did was explore the Missouri River and the Columbia River. As far as what was in the West, they missed most of it, and most of what they explored is still in the least populated and poorest areas of the US. When they filed their final report, the president must have read it and thought, "You know, I think we really got fucked on that Louisiana property. I bet the French are laughing their asses off on that one."
Classical and Ancient History is where my interest are.
Military and explorational history.
Also, I share aitm's admiration for Daniel Boorstein -- both The Discoverers and The Creators are great overviews of the subjects they cover (geographical exploration and the history of art, respectively) -- with the added benefit that Boorstein is one hell of a writer.
Hey Thumpalumpacus, long time no see you! Welcome back!
I am more interested in local history wherever I happen to be.. I grew up in Dayton Ohio and the local history is quite interesting. The airplane got it's start there along with the step ladder and the flip top you see on soda and beer cans as well as the electric starter for cars.. DELCO is an acronym for Dayton Electronic Laboratories Company..
I like world history from the earliest written to now. It is so different and more interesting than what we were taught, or think it was. I hated history in school, but not the "real" history by real historians without an agenda.
Good to see you, Thump.
Ironically I became knowledgeable about early Mormon history by studying the religion. The period from 1820 to 1849, a period before the Civil War and the California gold rush. This is also the era of the fur trappers and mountain men. I was involved with black powder culture and did a fair share of hunting and crafting. I built a kit Thompson/center .54 Hawken rifle and some other gear, tanned hides and so on. One of my best buddies during that period was a reenactor that was in a couple of movies made during that period. Utah is very much the center of trapping history. Fort Bridger holds a 4 day rendezvous every Labor Day, 130 miles from where I live.
If you hear of a rendezvous in your area, it is worth attending. there are a lot of people who still practice the lifestyle. Just seeing the blacksmithing and crafting is worth your time. They are also into primitive weapons like bows and Atlatls (spear throwing sticks).
Check it out if you get the chance.
Sounds like I got to read me some Boorstein.
Quote from: stromboli on November 22, 2014, 09:08:12 PM
Good to see you, Thump.
Ironically I became knowledgeable about early Mormon history by studying the religion. The period from 1820 to 1849, a period before the Civil War and the California gold rush. This is also the era of the fur trappers and mountain men. I was involved with black powder culture and did a fair share of hunting and crafting. I built a kit Thompson/center .54 Hawken rifle and some other gear, tanned hides and so on. One of my best buddies during that period was a reenactor that was in a couple of movies made during that period. Utah is very much the center of trapping history. Fort Bridger holds a 4 day rendezvous every Labor Day, 130 miles from where I live.
If you hear of a rendezvous in your area, it is worth attending. there are a lot of people who still practice the lifestyle. Just seeing the blacksmithing and crafting is worth your time. They are also into primitive weapons like bows and Atlatls (spear throwing sticks).
Check it out if you get the chance.
Sounds like I got to read me some Boorstein.
I was in the Breckenridge area last month, didn't make it to Haun's Mill.
And I once drove through the town where Alice's Restaurant was located. What a coincidence.
1450 through 1914.
Thats honesty a tough question for me to answer because I have an insatiable curiousity for so many aspects of history.
Seeking to know when and where major technological, philosophical and scientific breakthroughs is a good example.
Archimedes actually had the framework for calculus about two thousand years before it was "rediscovered".
Mesoamerica's agricultural technology was much more advanced then any other human population at the time, and if I remember correctly this was a big reason why they were able to support a large urban population.
I believe the destruction of the Great Library in Alexandria set all of us back about a thousand years in every field that existed, who knows how advanced we would be right now without such wanton idiocy.
I love all that stuff.
Historum.com is a good site for the historically-minded person, but be warned, the staff is chosen on the basis of their belief in creationism. You can get banned for discussing genetics there.
I used to be more interested in New History. Say from the end of the Middle Ages to the French Revolution. It's shifting with me however. I had a time later when I was most interested in Antiquity and for the last few years I have read a lot about prehistory.
Gerard
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on November 21, 2014, 03:16:29 PM
I am more interested in local history wherever I happen to be.. I grew up in Dayton Ohio and the local history is quite interesting. The airplane got it's start there along with the step ladder and the flip top you see on soda and beer cans as well as the electric starter for cars.. DELCO is an acronym for Dayton Electronic Laboratories Company..
Local history is also one of my interests. Specially about the area I live and about the ones I like to visit....
Gerard
I have for as far as I can remember have had an interest in history. I would often try to find the truth of what was written. I never had a specific area but rather a Jack of all trades in regard to history. I still look for the cause of and the effect of history.
Hiya Dunk and Stromb, hope all's well with y'all.
I'm good, bro. Glad to see you.
My main interest lies in everything having to do with the Holocaust. I've visited a number of museums, and have read numerous books. It is (to me) one of the most defining and sorrowful times in all of history. The sad reality however is that genocide still goes on, in other countries, as well as slavery, and human trafficking. I think why it interests me is because I've always been fascinated with social justice issues.
Quote from: Deidre32 on December 20, 2014, 02:21:21 AM
My main interest lies in everything having to do with the Holocaust. I've visited a number of museums, and have read numerous books. It is (to me) one of the most defining and sorrowful times in all of history. The sad reality however is that genocide still goes on, in other countries, as well as slavery, and human trafficking. I think why it interests me is because I've always been fascinated with social justice issues.
You might find the video "Nazi Concentration Camps" interesting. It's available at http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Newsreels/, as well as several other videos on the war, mostly made during the war or shortly after.
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on December 20, 2014, 08:48:04 AM
You might find the video "Nazi Concentration Camps" interesting. It's available at http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Newsreels/, as well as several other videos on the war, mostly made during the war or shortly after.
Thank you! I will definitely check it out.
Quote from: Deidre32 on December 20, 2014, 02:45:28 PM
Thank you! I will definitely check it out.
There are also reports by Patton about what he found in a concentration camp, and both he and Ike visited at least one.
Here's a photo of Ike and Bradley at Buchenwald. Very big so I'm posting just the link. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Buchenwald_Ohrdruf_Corpses_Eisenhower_21700.jpg
I'm interested in the time of Philosophers, and have done a fair bit of study on Socrates, Confucius, and Kant's time.
If it's not the history of the Marine Corps then I don't care about it. :fU:
j/k
When I was on active duty in the Marine Corps I used to read a lot of books on Vietnam. My Dad is a Vietnam Vet so that really drove my interest into that subject area. I had to do a presentation on the Tet Offensive when I was at The Basic School (it's a school that all Marine Officers have to attend regardless of your job in the Marine Corps).
Presently I find myself more interested in how the Universe works so I watch a lot of documentaries on different scientific discoveries. Cosmos was great for showing the history of science. I also try to read the Feynman lectures on physics but that's a lot to try and absorb.
Quote from: MarineWarrior on December 20, 2014, 07:43:34 PM
If it's not the history of the Marine Corps then I don't care about it. :fU:
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/index.html
I am most interested in Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. The area that interests me the most is the origin and rise of Christianity.
Watergate. You couldn't make up a weirder story than the reality of what actually did happen, and I wouldnd't be surprised if those who are too young to remember it probably can't believe most of what they've heard. Also, the history of science -- where the big breakthroughs came from, why they happened when they did and not earlier or later.
Quote from: trdsf on February 04, 2015, 04:05:11 AM
Watergate. You couldn't make up a weirder story than the reality of what actually did happen, and I wouldnd't be surprised if those who are too young to remember it probably can't believe most of what they've heard. Also, the history of science -- where the big breakthroughs came from, why they happened when they did and not earlier or later.
I was in Sicily when the hearings went down. I caught only what the Stars and Stripes (military newspaper) chose to print about it. AND what Doonesbury was saying. I didn't understand much of what Trudeau was putting out. However, one Monday morning the Doonesbury slot was taken up by a notice that due to the "highly political nature" of the strip it was being replaced. Tuesday we had some strip I'd never heard of, before or since. Wednesday there was another note, saying "due to popular demand" they were putting Doonesbury back. Thursday service resumed. They waited a few months and then moved Doonesbury to the editorial page. Fine by me.
A small victory for reality, albeit the comic strip kind, but I still remember it.