What is Your Favorite Period of History and Why?

[GloryofGreece]

I love Classical Greece b/c it is really the beginning of Western Civilization. There are elements in the city-state that we can see commonalities with. The Lives by Plutarch is probably the most influential book I've ever read. With regards to the overall tragedy of life and yes the heroic endeavors people are capable of. The absolute madness that was the Peloponnesian War and the sadness that was its overall result speaks to me. On a personal level, I also think I have lived two other lives. One in Classical Athens, the other in Alexander's Empire.

The Medieval world fascinates be again because it shaped our modern Western Civilization in a lot of ways. I also have always enjoyed the military aspect of what we know from the records. The Crusades, Reconquest, Hundred Years War etc. are all really interesting. The idea of Chivalry and the hierarchies are all cool. The transitions in ways of life are real learning moments for us now even. The way that money didn't completely dominate every facet of being is another allure to the age for me. Same with the Classical world as well. Living for family, duty, honor etc.

The Age of Discovery is just a total collision of "worlds" how could you not be interested in it. The shear audacity those relatively few men had to go out and explore, conquer, and brave new worlds is insane really. Its inspiring and we have a lot of primary documents to read through their perspectives so to speak.

[C-Mag]

I don't know if I have a favorite right now. My tastes have shifted over the years.
Medieval Dark Age, Pre-Columbian US & Canada, American Revolution. I guess I'm drawn to periods in history without large central authorities, Frontier stories and chaotic periods.

I still enjoy periods of great empires, and definitely US Military history too.

[Montegriffo]

In terms of books read and documentaries watched it would be WWII by a large margin.
Our greatest hour tinged with the sadness of end of Empire.
There is always a constant supply of new sources for the second world war.

[Hastur]

I like all things historical but if I have to choose it has to be the Roman Republican and the Gunpowder Age. A lot of pirates at the moment.

[heydaralon]

I like all things historical but if I have to choose it has to be the Roman Republican and the Gunpowder Age. A lot of pirates at the moment.

Have you read William McNeil's the Pursuit of Power?

[Hastur]

I like all things historical but if I have to choose it has to be the Roman Republican and the Gunpowder Age. A lot of pirates at the moment.

Have you read William McNeil's the Pursuit of Power?

No. Looks good. I spent an Audible credit on it now.

[heydaralon]

I like all things historical but if I have to choose it has to be the Roman Republican and the Gunpowder Age. A lot of pirates at the moment.

Have you read William McNeil's the Pursuit of Power?

No. Looks good. I spent an Audible credit on it now.

Its a bit like that Gwynne Dyer War book Dan Carlin used to mention and cite a lot. Its a bit dated, but pretty cool if you are into military history. He wrote this really interesting book years ago called Plagues and Peoples which basically charts all of human history through the lense of diseases, viruses etc and how we reacted to them. He goes so far to argue that plagues in different regions of India created the caste system, and discusses how the modern sewer system came about in England. Its a sort of "big picture" take on history the same way the Pursuit of Power is.

[heydaralon]

Medieval European to 1914.

The rise and fall of “honorable” warfare. The end of face-to-face massed combat. The birth of the nation-state. The codes of status and nobility.

Basically, the “middle age” of civilization.

What medieval civilization would you most want to live in if you had to? I'd probably go with England, but it wouldn't be a picnic there.

[heydaralon]

Castles.
King Edward subduing the Northern rabble etc...

I'm really interested in the English Civil War, though not knowledgable on it. I have watched a few youtube videos on it and read some short articles, but for whatever reason it is extremely fascinating to me. Eventually I'm going to sit down and read a full length book on it.


As an aside, I found clips for a Cromwell movie on youtube. It is an older film but it looks good. Have you seen it?

[Montegriffo]

Castles.
King Edward subduing the Northern rabble etc...

I'm really interested in the English Civil War, though not knowledgable on it. I have watched a few youtube videos on it and read some short articles, but for whatever reason it is extremely fascinating to me. Eventually I'm going to sit down and read a full length book on it.


As an aside, I found clips for a Cromwell movie on youtube. It is an older film but it looks good. Have you seen it?

If that is the Oliver Reed film from the 60s it is worth watching for the battle scenes.
The cavalry charges have hundreds of horses and there are huge numbers of foot soldiers. No CGI obviously so it is all shot live.
They don't make them like that any more.