Post: #1

I was wondering if any of you guys on here like me are history nerds and can recommend any good books to read?

I quite enjoy reading military history and was surprised to see Roosh read's quite a few as well.

I am currently reading 'Stalingrad The Fateful Siege 1942-1943' - based on his recommendation. Really enjoying it.

Also trying to read some classical kind of stuff. Roman history in particular interests me.

Intending to re-read Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' which I'm sure most have. I've read Machiavelli's 'The Prince' - definitely a must read, and intend to read Carl von Clausewitzz's 'On War' next, which can be downloaded as a free e-book.

Post: #2

If you are interested in reading some of the Greek Classics, I reccomend you try the Landmark Series books. I have read The Landmark Thucydides, Herodotus, and Xenophon... They are extremely helpful because the commentary provides A LOT in the way of context and the maps are especially helpful as well.

I also recommend reading the Bible. I know most on here are opposed to Christianity, but it is probably the most influential piece of literature ever penned. There are some good stories and great advice that non Christians can appreciate in there.

Aside from that, I would suggest William F. Shirer "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," anything by Paul Johnson but especially "Modern Times." I also liked William Manchester's "A World Lit Only by Fire" and Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" for medieval history.

I have yet to find a good book on the American Revolution or the Renaissance...

Post: #3

I'm a big history nerd and for some reason one of my favourites is African history, especially during colonial times. I've read many books on this subject and one of the best so far has been Adam Hoschild's "King Leopold's Ghost".

Its the story of Belgian colonialism in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, its an eye opening account of how brutal the Belgians were as colonizers and allows the reader to better understand why that country is so fucked up today!

Post: #4

Take a look at "The Reason Why: The Story of the Fatal Charge of the Light Brigade".
Disturbing and amusing look at what class structure and some psychopathy can do.

Post: #5

The best history book is the first history book written.

It's "The Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides. This is the best edition.



If you read this book, you will gain wisdom. That's all there is to say. The book covers everything imaginable regarding political relations:

- The influence of Great Leaders
- Civil War
- The ethics of Imperialism
- Hubris and defeat
- Betrayal and tragedy
- Success and glory
- Military Tactics (Formations and Weaponry) and Strategies (Battle plans, seasonal war, special targets of war to harm the enemy)


And it was all written by one man, Thucydides, single-handedly beginning the western tradition of writing historical accounts of political events.

One of the most influential books ever written, and translated by hundreds of other famous authors such as Thomas Hobbes, The Peloponnesian War is on the same level as The Republic, Politics, Critique of Pure Reason, The Bible, etc. It's one of those books that will completely change your understanding of reality. Takes a good two months to read due to length and complexity, although expertly written.

Post: #6

I enjoyed The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years by Bernard Lewis. It's an interesting read for understanding the context of contemporary Western / Middle-East geopolitics. His other books The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror and What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East are good as well, though all cover similar territory.

Post: #7

Some great recomendations there for my reading list, thanks guys.
I'll add A Little History of The World by E.H. Gombrich - greatest overview / crash course in world history I have found.

Post: #8

AJP Taylor
This guy was brilliant.
Had very popular series back in the day.
His book English history 1914-1945 is a classic.






Anthony Beevor on the war too.

Macaulay History of England many volumes

Gibbon Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Martin Gilbert Churchill

Any Doc or book by Michael Wood..his documentaries are great:

Post: #9

Open Veins of Latin America - Eduardo Galeano
Las Veinas Abiertas de America Latina (Spanish version)

This is one of the finest books on the history of Latin America, written by one of its most celebrated authors, Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano. This is the book that Hugo Chavez handed President Obama when they first met. Since Galeano is usually a fictional writer, this book is special in that it is written using many fictional literary devices, and even reads like a fiction at times. Though the English version is a decent translation, I recommend reading the Spanish version if you read in Spanish.

From Beirut to Jerusalem - Thomas Friedman

I know a lot of people hate Tom Friedman--Matt Taibbi from Rolling Stone writes the most hilarious critiques of this guy--for his smug, know-it-all demeanor and his many annoyingly idealistic editorials for the NYT, but the reason he's able to roll like that is because he earned his bones from writing this book. Even though it was written and published during the tumultuous 1980s, this book is still THE roadmap for understanding contemporary Middle Eastern politics. It's required reading for any serious student of this region, including graduate students specializing in the Middle East. This book has been translated into dozens upon dozens of languages.

The People's History of the United States of America - Howard Zinn

The most famous book from the late Howard Zinn, it's quite similar to Galeano's book in that it analyzes history from the perspective of the society's historically marginalized classes. I read this over the summer during high school for an IB History class. Definitely belongs in your personal collection.

Post: #10

Some great recommendations here guys - thanks. Really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into some of these.

Samseau I've been meaning to read Plato's republic for a while, as I know it's really necessary reading. The way you've described 'The Peloponnesian War' by Thucydides is interesting, definitely makes me want to read more classics.

I bought Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - a series of thoughts and scribbles from the only Emperor/Philosopher, lots of wisdom to be had, but difficult to follow at times.

Gracias Casanova, la historia de Latina America me interesa mucho.

As well as history itself, if anyone is interested in historical fiction, i.e. Romans, Greeks, Mongols, Saxons, Medieval history then I've read a lot. Some recommendations:

- Simon Scarrow's 'Eagle' series -a tale of two Roman legionaires throughout their travels in the Empire, 8 books in total, if you like this genre, you'll love these books. I found myself unable to put them down.

- Bernard Cornwell - He's regarded as probably the best around. Writes King Arthur Warlord Chronicles, Vikings, Saxons, Napoleonic Wars and even the American Revolution.

- Harry Sidebottom - A recently published author who has written a trilogy surrounding a Roman General - battle scenes are epic, another few that I couldn't put down and left me waiting for the next installment.

- Glynn Iliffe - He's published a series of novels recently about Odysseus of Greek mythology. Also involves Achilles, Ajax and other well known characters and follows closely Homer's Illiad.

Post: #11

Does anyone have any good recommendations for WW2 in the Pacific? It's something I don't know much about, so I'd like to read more on it.

Post: #12

Regarding the pacific what part are you most interested in? I feel the pacific theatre had a significant naval story and also a very tough land aspect (Japanese were pretty hardcore). One thing a lot of folks don't seem to know is that the US subs were really effective they don't get a lot of glory.

I didn't like the HBO series very much, but the pacific misiniseries was based on a couple of books. Try googling them. I remember talking to Tom Hanks at a premiere and he said that there wasn't like one unit that covered much of the war like 101 in band of brothers. I'd help search but in a rush. If I get a moment ill post the books that they based the pacific on.

Post: #13

"The Civil War" by Bruce Catton

It's one of the greatest books I've ever read. I still pull it out to read it again every now and then.

Post: #14

THEY CAME BEFORE COLOMBUS - Dr. Ivan Van Sertima

Post: #15

John Adams by David McCullough
1776 by David McCullough

Both won the Pulitzer Prize. Very interesting reads if you're into the American founding.

Post: #16

(01-02-2012 11:21 AM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  Open Veins of Latin America - Eduardo Galeano
Las Veinas Abiertas de America Latina (Spanish version)

This is one of the finest books on the history of Latin America, written by one of its most celebrated authors, Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano. This is the book that Hugo Chavez handed President Obama when they first met. Since Galeano is usually a fictional writer, this book is special in that it is written using many fictional literary devices, and even reads like a fiction at times. Though the English version is a decent translation, I recommend reading the Spanish version if you read in Spanish.

From Beirut to Jerusalem - Thomas Friedman

I know a lot of people hate Tom Friedman--Matt Taibbi from Rolling Stone writes the most hilarious critiques of this guy--for his smug, know-it-all demeanor and his many annoyingly idealistic editorials for the NYT, but the reason he's able to roll like that is because he earned his bones from writing this book. Even though it was written and published during the tumultuous 1980s, this book is still THE roadmap for understanding contemporary Middle Eastern politics. It's required reading for any serious student of this region, including graduate students specializing in the Middle East. This book has been translated into dozens upon dozens of languages.

The People's History of the United States of America - Howard Zinn

The most famous book from the late Howard Zinn, it's quite similar to Galeano's book in that it analyzes history from the perspective of the society's historically marginalized classes. I read this over the summer during high school for an IB History class. Definitely belongs in your personal collection.

+++1 for Thomas Friedman's "From Beirut to Tel Aviv". Everything you said is 100% right. That is the book that made him. His years of ground level experience in both Lebanon and Israel really gave him great insight into the political situation in the Middle East and the interplays with culture and foreign policy. It was through this book that I understood how the American Jewish lobby got started and grew so strong. He's devolved into a hack but his first book is stellar and incisive. It resonates greatly and you can still view current events in the middle east through the prisms he outlines in his book.

Post: #17

(01-01-2012 12:57 PM)CGS Wrote:  If you are interested in reading some of the Greek Classics, I reccomend you try the Landmark Series books. I have read The Landmark Thucydides, Herodotus, and Xenophon... They are extremely helpful because the commentary provides A LOT in the way of context and the maps are especially helpful as well.

I also recommend reading the Bible. I know most on here are opposed to Christianity, but it is probably the most influential piece of literature ever penned. There are some good stories and great advice that non Christians can appreciate in there.

Aside from that, I would suggest William F. Shirer "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich," anything by Paul Johnson but especially "Modern Times." I also liked William Manchester's "A World Lit Only by Fire" and Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" for medieval history.

I have yet to find a good book on the American Revolution or the Renaissance...

Yes, agree on the Bible. Along with the Greek classics, the Bible is one of the most influential, if not THE most influential, books in terms of literature and art.

For me, I also get a kick at hossSo many of our sayings and expressions are taken from the Bible, e.g. "doubting Thomas", "pearls before swine", "house divided against itself cannot stand", "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", etc...

I recommend "Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson for the book on the American Civil War. Great laying out of the reasons why the war happened. Goes into great depth into the political, economic and societal factors, plus matters like Dred Scott and the South's desire of the westward expansion of slavery which I was not aware of. I believe he won the Pulitzer Prize for this book. Highly recommend it.

Post: #18

I just finished reading a book on the war in the pacific during WW2, it's called With The Old Breed - by Eugene Sledge.

It was a Marine's first hand account of fighting from Peleliu island to Okinawa.

War books talk about the brutality and horror of war, but this book was very graphic and told in stark honesty.

The way the book is told makes for great reading because of the plain, matter of fact style of writing. The author doesn't try to dress anything up in a narrative style, like historical fiction.

He describes the battles and his day to day living, the way he felt, and what it was like to fight alongside his buddies against a fanatical Japanese enemy, who fought to the death.

I liked the way he described many of the Marines he served with in detail and you can get a real sense of the men they were. This makes it more tragic when they die later on, and it hits home how horrible the war in the Pacific must have been.

Overall I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down.

Post: #19

I too was going to recommend "with the old breed" I'm about halfway into it and it is really a good read. I like the writers style too, makes reading it a breeze.

I believe I saw an article on rok for it called "blood guts and sledgehammer" if you want to look into it. Glad I'm not the only one who is into history here.

Post: #20

(06-11-2013 03:13 PM)JayRock604 Wrote:  I too was going to recommend "with the old breed" I'm about halfway into it and it is really a good read. I like the writers style too, makes reading it a breeze.

I believe I saw an article on rok for it called "blood guts and sledgehammer" if you want to look into it. Glad I'm not the only one who is into history here.

Thanks man.

I didn't realise there was an article on it.

There's some good recommendations for other books in the comments.

Vietnam is the next one I want to read up on, I don't know a lot about it in detail.

But I feel I need a good Navy or Airforce book to read now as I've been reading about so many land battles.

I'm also halfway through If You Survive - by George Wilson, who was an officer replacement on D-Day.

He survived all of the major battles the Americans fought in.

It reads similar to With The Old Breed. However it's a bit more methodical with attention to detail of maps and tactics, as he's an officer, which makes it drone at times, but overall a good read too.

From reading these books you realise that generation of men was truly a great one.

Normal every day guys like us stepped up to the plate and out of duty to each other performed great acts of bravery. For that they deserve to always be remembered.

Post: #21

The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land is outstanding.

Post: #22

Nice, I've been after a good book on the crusades, will check it out.

Post: #23

There was also a BBC series to go with it, although I didn't feel it was anywhere near the quality of the book as it had to condense so much into only three hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSCMeP4si0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y97Rr1scNRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyCG--7pGTI

Post: #24

Haha, amazingly "if you survive" is actually the next book on my list!

Post: #25

Young Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore is an amazing read.