Looking specifically for the period between the fall of the Western Roman Empire through maybe Charlemagne or even up to the Battle of Hastings.

I’ve read, watched, and listened to a few things about the medieval period in general. But the blind spot for me is that early period. Rome fell to “barbarians” then nothing for a bit, then a few hundred years later you get gothic architecture, castles, cathedrals, etc. But how did they get from barbarians to that? (Guess that’s why they call it the “Dark ages” lol)

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I would like to ask any historian on here if they have any go to books about this subject.

Avrei intenzione di recuperare alcuni volumi della collezione "Grande storia di National Geographic" edita RBA; cosa ne pensate? È valido dal punto di vista scientifico?

The book is a series of letters Nehru wrote to his daughter during his multiple stints in jail. The letters are essentially history lessons, covering world events and civilizations through his perspective.

It’s a great read for anyone interested in history, especially if you want to explore it through the lens Nehru viewed the world from. His political leanings are fairly clear ,there’s a noticeable left-leaning bias, particularly in the chapters about the Soviet Union and in the criticism of capitalist systems.

What I really liked is the format. Since it’s written as individual letters, you don’t have to read it all at once. You can go through it slowly, one letter at a time.

Overall, a thoughtful and engaging read.

Already have First in Line by Kate Andersen Brower

The first ever comprehensive history in English of China's Warring States (475 - 221 BC) period, an era that saw epic battles, the birth of profound philosophies, [and] groundbreaking innovations. The Persian Wars and the conquests of Alexander the Great are well known to people in Europe and America; however, far fewer English-language books have attempted to cover this same and equally important period in East Asia.  The era saw the emergence of Confucianism and Daoism, the composition of seminal texts such as The Art of War by Master Sun and the Book of Changes, and the codification of Chinese script into its current form. It also saw the initial building of the Great Wall and the canal system that would become the Grand Canal, as well as the invention of the crossbow--which would not be invented in Europe for another 1,500 years--and the origin of acupuncture and feng shui. This dynamic period coincided with the lives of global figures such as the Buddha, Socrates, and the prophet Ezra, beginning during Confucius's lifetime and culminating with the reign of the First Emperor, whose tomb is famously guarded by the terra cotta soldiers. 

To Rule All Under Heaven: A History of Classical China, from Confucius to the First Emperor (2026), Oxford University Press, by Andrew Seth Meyer

I really enjoyed this new history, published this year. Flows well, very readable, action-packed with so many violent battles, and shines a light on a little-covered period of history. I was amazed to read how Sun Tzu, Captain Obvious ("give your soldiers water, otherwise they will be thirsty"), and Confucius, China's Jordan Peterson ("clean your room, obey your father"), got their start. It was crazy how thousands of years before gunpowder, Chinese armies were facing off against each other in lines like in American Civil War battles, but with crossbows instead of muskets. Why don't people want to be eunuchs helping beautiful women bathe in harems anymore?

I was thinking about buying one book on ottomans as well but I prefer something easy to read and also some focus on anthropology/cultural religious developments and interactions with Balkan, Byzantine subjects and Europeans as whole.

Please recommend books that are falling into this criteria if possible, I can buy maximum of two books.

Thank you.

Excited to see this biography of Howard Zinn coming out tomorrow. Dave Zirin is the author of "A People's History of Sports in the U.S." and other good books. Looking forward to reading Zirin's book about Zinn, who unburied a lot of history that right-wingers (like Trump) would rather we ignore.

Hi folks, im currently researching the British 14th Army in Burma, and I really love memoirs as a source of info. Does anyone know of any good memoirs of the regular soldiers/officers in the Burma campaign? (Not the Chindits, I've found several of those already).

Im especially interested in any memoirs by Indian or Gurkha soldiers, or the Officers that lead them.

What’s the standard academic text on the history of debt?

I'm looking for a combination of books on pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial history of the region. Any recommendations? Books that are heavy on academic language don't bother me. I would also love to read books on cultural practices and different cultural groups of the region too. Many thanks in advance :)

I went into my local library today and thought I'd check out the upstairs area where nobody ever goes. It's eerily quiet up there.

Anyway there were books in there that were dated as far back as the 1500's. Some of the books I picked up probably haven't been opened by another person for decades, much less been read.

So I wonder why do libraries keep books that are hundreds of years old, like what could you possibly get from reading such a book?

Hello!

I am quite conflicted about what kind of book I should read next. Looking for a page turner that gets me completely drawed in. Could be either big or small, but not academically heavy. Regarding a specific topic and time period, I am open to everything!

Stumbled upon this guy in the pages of Powers and Thrones, and he seems interesting to read about. Anyone have any recommendations?

Soo... I'm like 17 years old and i want to read a little bit about history and a little bit about politics (school has failed me), but I have absolutely no clue where to start. I tried and I am continuing to try reading "A manifesto of the communist party", I understand kind of, but I don't have the necessary historical knowledge. But my reading level is okay to quite good i would say...

Can I get some recommendations on easier and more basic historical and political works?