Kendall Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 I am going to have them read Hero of the Empire by Millard. (non fiction about Boer War and Churchill) What else is engaging non fiction for anywhere in this time period? I have Just Mercy on my next to read list, so I might have them read that. Also, fiction that is set in this historical time period? As opposed to strictly historical fiction. So, I will have them read Blackout and All Clear by Willis. Time travel, but such a great immersion in what it was like to be in London during the WWII bombing raids. Thanks in advance, Kendall Quote
Not_a_Number Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 Hmmm. How about Dickens? That a bit early, though... Sherlock Holmes is in this time period. Or is that not serious enough? Quote
Farrar Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 I feel like this is too general. I need more of a focus in time period or geography or theme... or all three. What's the purpose of the reading? 2 Quote
Kendall Posted April 27, 2021 Author Posted April 27, 2021 I think they have all read Sherlock Holmes, but I'll check. Dickens we did this year. I'm happy with a range of suggestions! Non fiction, both biography and more event focused, is my first priority. I found some novels here that I might try reading myself. I don't know if any of them will be appropriate for high school. https://modernmrsdarcy.com/immersive-historical-fiction-books-overlooked-events?utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=📚15+immersive+fiction+books+about+overlooked+historical+events+%2B+a+book+birthday - 5409522 Farrar- great question, why indeed. hmm I should think about this more, but first I want something that is well written and engagaing so that they are interested in it. They will be reading a sweeping history text and I want to zero in on some different events or time periods. You get more of a feel for what events and life was really like reading biographies or narrative like non fiction or just well written non fiction. I'll try to think of some events/time periods but I'm more concerned with it being engaging and well written than I am in covering certain time periods. For the most part, fiction will be for suggested reading in their free time for my more voracious readers. Thank you! Quote
Not_a_Number Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 It really is a huge range, though. You’re including all modern fiction in that! Any preference for a 50-year span or anything? Quote
Farrar Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 So... you'll be doing modern history and want a few books to zero in on a few topics? Well, for nonfiction, literally off the top of my head, I'd suggest... The Ghost Map - cholera in 1850's London God's Chinese Son - Taiping Rebellion in China in the 1850's The Poisoner's Handbook - poisoning, forensic science, etc. in the US in the early 1900's King Leopold's Ghost - the Belgian Congo and imperialism The Guns of August - leadup to WWI The Warmth of Other Suns - the Great Migration in the US The Rape of Nanjing - WWII in China The Good War - the US in WWII We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families - Rwandan genocide That's not terrible for well-rounded either, I think... I like memoirs for history, so I'll toss in some memoirs... A Daughter of Han - Qing China Wild Swans - late Qing, republican, and up through the Cultural Revolution China Maus - the Holocaust Persepolis - Iranian revolution Born a Crime - Apartheid A Long Way Gone - child soldiers in Africa I'll leave historical fiction for others to take a stab at. 2 Quote
Not_a_Number Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 4 minutes ago, Farrar said: So... you'll be doing modern history and want a few books to zero in on a few topics? Well, for nonfiction, literally off the top of my head, I'd suggest... The Ghost Map - cholera in 1850's London God's Chinese Son - Taiping Rebellion in China in the 1850's The Poisoner's Handbook - poisoning, forensic science, etc. in the US in the early 1900's King Leopold's Ghost - the Belgian Congo and imperialism The Guns of August - leadup to WWI The Warmth of Other Suns - the Great Migration in the US The Rape of Nanjing - WWII in China The Good War - the US in WWII We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families - Rwandan genocide That's not terrible for well-rounded either, I think... I like memoirs for history, so I'll toss in some memoirs... A Daughter of Han - Qing China Wild Swans - late Qing, republican, and up through the Cultural Revolution China Maus - the Holocaust Persepolis - Iranian revolution Born a Crime - Apartheid A Long Way Gone - child soldiers in Africa I'll leave historical fiction for others to take a stab at. Man, I wish I liked non-fiction better. I always look at lists like this and think I'd enjoy reading them, and then I just don't 😕 . I prefer my books to be story-driven. Quote
Farrar Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 Just now, Not_a_Number said: Man, I wish I liked non-fiction better. I always look at lists like this and think I'd enjoy reading them, and then I just don't 😕 . I prefer my books to be story-driven. So, most of the ones I listed there are highly story-driven. Like, if you usually hate nonfiction, try The Ghost Map. My high school class this year mostly loved it. It inspired and lengthy discussion in class. Steven Johnson is just a great historical storyteller. 1 1 Quote
Not_a_Number Posted April 27, 2021 Posted April 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Farrar said: So, most of the ones I listed there are highly story-driven. Like, if you usually hate nonfiction, try The Ghost Map. My high school class this year mostly loved it. It inspired and lengthy discussion in class. Steven Johnson is just a great historical storyteller. Oooh. Excellent. If you had to narrow down to "the ones that read the most like fiction," which ones would they be? I don't mean to sound so picky, but I know myself. I feel like I learn way more about a time period from pieces that are story-driven than I do from other things, because I pay way better attention and enjoy the book more. Thanks so much for the recommendations! I've been meaning to learn more history before I teach the kids, and story-driven books are a great way to go about it for me. Quote
Kendall Posted April 28, 2021 Author Posted April 28, 2021 Thank you so much!!! I just put quite a few on hold and am picking up several of the others tomorrow at the library. I'm looking forward to a few months of history reading for myself as I choose which ones my girls might most appreciate. 4 hours ago, Not_a_Number said: Man, I wish I liked non-fiction better. I always look at lists like this and think I'd enjoy reading them, and then I just don't 😕 . I prefer my books to be story-driven. Here are a few more story driven non fiction works The Hero of the Empire that I mentioned above and the author has written some others The Great Halifax Explosion by Bacon 1 Quote
HollyDay Posted April 29, 2021 Posted April 29, 2021 1850s will cover westward expansion. Do you want books covering that subject? US Civil War and post/reconstruction period? Roaring 20s Dustbowl Great Depression WWI and WW II Cold War Vietnam Can you narrow down your interest....country? theme? Quote
Kendall Posted April 29, 2021 Author Posted April 29, 2021 Any suggestions for I don't have much for 1860's-1910. Europe or US Quote
jrichstad Posted May 1, 2021 Posted May 1, 2021 On 4/27/2021 at 10:49 AM, Kendall said: Also, fiction that is set in this historical time period? As opposed to strictly historical fiction. Can you clarify what you mean by this? I have some suggestions for 1860s-1910s, but I want to be sure I understand what you're asking for. Are you more wanting books *about* the period but not written during, or do you want a mix? Quote
Kendall Posted May 1, 2021 Author Posted May 1, 2021 I would like books about the period. Thanks! Quote
Amy M Posted May 1, 2021 Posted May 1, 2021 I'd highly recommend Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith, if you're wanting world history. It goes through each African country after they get their independence, so it covers about 1950-2000, maybe 2010. Very readable. If you want a novel to go with it, try Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Quote
Kendall Posted May 3, 2021 Author Posted May 3, 2021 On 5/1/2021 at 6:43 AM, Amy M said: I'd highly recommend Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith, if you're wanting world history. It goes through each African country after they get their independence, so it covers about 1950-2000, maybe 2010. Very readable. If you want a novel to go with it, try Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Thank you! Fate of Africa is the kind of book I'm looking for! Quote
Steven Posted May 5, 2021 Posted May 5, 2021 Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. Be sure to get the new translation of the recently rediscovered original German manuscript. https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-at-Noon-Arthur-Koestler/dp/1501161318/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CPGZSKEJD2RE&dchild=1&keywords=darkness+at+noon+by+arthur+koestler&qid=1620177694&sprefix=darkness+at+noon%2Caps%2C276&sr=8-1 Gulag Archepeligo by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn Witness by Whittaker Chambershttps://www.amazon.com/Witness-Cold-Classics-Whittaker-Chambers/dp/162157296X/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=autobiography+w+chambers&qid=1620177988&sr=8-7 I also second King Leopold's Ghost, but I would pair it with the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart of Darkness. Quote
Kendall Posted May 5, 2021 Author Posted May 5, 2021 24 minutes ago, Steven said: Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. Be sure to get the new translation of the recently rediscovered original German manuscript. https://www.amazon.com/Darkness-at-Noon-Arthur-Koestler/dp/1501161318/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CPGZSKEJD2RE&dchild=1&keywords=darkness+at+noon+by+arthur+koestler&qid=1620177694&sprefix=darkness+at+noon%2Caps%2C276&sr=8-1 Gulag Archepeligo by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn Witness by Whittaker Chambershttps://www.amazon.com/Witness-Cold-Classics-Whittaker-Chambers/dp/162157296X/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=autobiography+w+chambers&qid=1620177988&sr=8-7 I also second King Leopold's Ghost, but I would pair it with the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart of Darkness. Thank you! Our library has the new translation of Darkness at Noon. I've put the others on hold. I'm excited about my reading summer! Quote
Steven Posted May 5, 2021 Posted May 5, 2021 I thought of another book that is less overtly political than my earlier suggestions: And Ladies of the Club https://www.amazon.com/Santmyer-Helen-Hooven-Ladies-Hardcover/dp/B00J5T4L34/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=and+ladies+of+the+club&qid=1620223417&sr=8-2 This book wasa best seller when in came out in the mid 1980s. Having grown up in Ohio, I found it especially interesting since it traced the lives of the families of a group of women in Ohio who form a book/literary club right after the end of the civil war. It gives excellent insights into social, religous, and political attitudes from 1865 to 1930. I found the religous topics particularly interesting, as it explores the conflicts in beliefs and attitudes among various Protestant groups in matters ranging from Christmas parties to vaccines. The men in the novel are largely Civil War veterans who become the prominent businessmen in town and leaders in the Republican Party at a time when Ohio was a key political player. The portrayal of blacks, Jews, and Catholics in the town's life is also very interesting. Quote
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