Metal Reviews

Ok, let's see how this will go:

This will be the topic where you can post your own essays on a historical subject, fun/short facts and discuss them. You can recommend books to others as well.

Let me start with a simple question:

What period in history is your favourite?

Mine used to be the Classical age, specifically for the Roman Empire and Egypt but since I've started studying history at college, I've been leaning toward the Middle Ages, a heavily underrated period in time.

My favourite period of history currently is the one I've been reading most about recently; 1900-now. So much to learn; European history in the 60-70s alone is fascinating.

Renaissance baby.

I don't think I have a favorite. The 1968 Europe is a very interesting scene but so is the 1849 France with the Paris Commune but also the less revolutionary stuff like the downfall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity. The Roman emperor Julian is one of the most interesting characters throughout history. Europe post-Enlightenment/Nietzsche is also really interesting. Technology is improving life and then wham Franco-Prussian War -> WWI; technology creates an unbelievable death toll, shaking the bedrock of civilization. This was kinda a rant but it works.

I'm a late Roman Republic/early Empire guy. I love ancient history in general (and Medieval History too, though I've never had a chance to get too into it) due to its creative aspect; you have few sources, and the sources you do have are 99% of the time problematic and difficult to deal with; its essentially one giant puzzle. Less intellectually, I also like reading about aristocrats killing each other and competing with each other- it really entertains me, which explains why I like the Roman Republic. I'm also more a fan of eras in which societies are collapsing and being put back together- so, the late Roman Republic, a lot of Greek history throughout the 4th century, the Hellenistic era in general.

Definitely ancient history... I want to take a year studying that on the uni.

The Age of Habsburg for me. Unlike most I like genealogies. And you see the contours of Europe being formed fabulously, some politically very interesting wars, the great voyages of discovery, and so on.

Heeeey, genealogies also get me going! Especially the whole Plantagenet line in England, trying to figure out why one person's claim in the War of the Roses would be better than another's.

At the moment it's the Italian Renaissance, particularly looking at Dante's Florence but in other places too.

+1
The ones of the Romanovs is insane, even more with all the false claims to the throne.

I'm all about the 1980's. Mostly the late 80's. Truly a crazy and unique time.

Yeah. Most of us were born, for one.

Ancient Mesopotamia & Persia.

that's where my essay begins and ends.

I've been looking into 5th Century BC Athens a lot recently, though really I love reading about anything Classical.

Concrete proof of parents having sex is the most disturbing thing in history.

Just bought a few books online, because no book shop in my city have affordable or decent history books.

Also forgot to add Tudor England to my list of favourite periods.

If you fancy reading in English, then the history section of the Waterstones in Brussels is a definite recommendation.

My favorite historical period was the Spanish occupation of the Americas, reading about Spain as an empire and how they treated the Native Americans is interesting especially since I live so close to areas of interest pertinent to that period of time.

The Civil war is also interesting to me, and so is the cultural change in the mid 20th century in the US.

Other eras besides Graeco-Roman ones I enjoy:

British history from Alfred the Great on until the end of Henry VIIth reign, though I particularly enjoy the Wars of the Roses and the period from Henry VI on. I also enjoy the British Civil War.

From Indian history, the Mughal empire. Aurangzeb is awesome.

The Investiture Conflict of the 11th and 12th centuries- popes vs. Holy Roman Emperors, what's not to love?

The American Civil War and its aftermath.

Byzantine (or Eastern Roman Imperial, to give it its proper name) history.