most interesting part of history

musical.x

what parts of history do you find most interesting?
i know most people would say the Easter rising, WW1/2 but i know everyone is different. maybe give a little information about it as i would like to branch out and gain more knowledge of all the different events that have taken place.

Enkidu

Mesopotamia, because it is essentially the cradle of civilisation (e.g. created writing), has a fully developed literature and the culture is totally alien.

later12

I don't find a particular year or era interesting, and even the things I find interesting tend to change and develop.

At the moment the aspects of Irish history that I find most interesting are how the American and French revolutionaries influenced their Irish counterparts.

I have also been going through volumes of an old Irish society magazine called Irish Life and getting a fascinating insight into how life was for middle/ upper-middle class Irish people (not even necessarily Anglo Irish) in the years just prior to World War I when everything changed so dramatically for them and for their country.

Wolfe Tone

I always found the fall of the Roman republic the most interesting.


Cato, Cicero, Pompey love learning about them.

CDfm

I have really gotten into Irish Lore and parts that make no sense.

I have always been a biography fan and it has moved on from that. Post rising 1916.

Latchy

Well OP , surprisingly enough,I would choose Easter rising /WW1/2 because those periods in time are what our great grandparents , grandparents , mothers and fathers lived through and a fascinating look at how society was at a much slower pace ,how it was shaped , the class system and how people were prepared to die for their cause and beliefs . The Roman period in history would also be of interest to me as well .

UpTheSlashers

Pre-WW1, WW1, Russian Revolution and Spanish Civil War.

debarran

1920's very interesting

mikemac

I've always been interested in the US Civil War.
And the Mexican War before it and Reconstruction after it

Irish involvement too like the San Patricios, the Irish brigade, Irish on the Confederate side. And even the New York riots
Saw a brilliant film recently on the Confederate submarine which tried to block the Union blockade
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162897/

sensibleken

my favourite is neolithic ireland.although unfortunetely it is also a time without any written evidence

Manach

It would be mostly the classical area of Imperial Rome or democratic Athens. It is an interesting contrast on how the ultra-powerful and poorer sections of society both cooperated with or fought against themselves.

Judgement Day

I like recent history - 1798 and all that - where there is a chance to read contemporary accounts of events, see actual documents, battle sites etc. rather than rely on myths and stories from fadó, fadó.

patsman07

Im very interested in political history, I think the 1930's are fascinating. Firstly the rise and rise of Hitler and Facism, communist subversion all over Europe, the Spanish Civil War-the international brigade etc.

I think it was a time of massive political divides, with great masses of the general public extremely political. The idealism of the men who went to fight in the Spanish Civil War from other countries has no parrallel in modern Europe.

Plus in Ireland we had deValera's clever dismantling of the Treaty. All in all very fascinating period.

CDfm

Judgement Day wrote: »

I like recent history - 1798 and all that - where there is a chance to read contemporary accounts of events, see actual documents, battle sites etc. rather than rely on myths and stories from fadó, fadó.

Have you seen Sir Jonah Barringtons Memoirs

http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/jbarrington/jonahindex.htm

Judgement Day

CDfm wrote: »

Have you seen Sir Jonah Barringtons Memoirs

http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/jbarrington/jonahindex.htm

I had not but I will be getting myself a copy ASAP after reading a couple of extracts there. His 1798 references to Wexford are very interesting and tie in, in a sensationalist kind of way, with accounts in other books that I have. There's an interesting piece about a priest being eaten (!) which I had not come across before. Thanks for posting.

Einhard

Most interested in the classical civilisations of the Near East and Europe. It's fascinating how they are remarkably like ourselves in some aspects, yet absolutely alien in others.

Reekwind

European history from, approx, 1789-1939. Or the 'extra-long' 19th C, if you will. Particularly well read on the Russian Revolution and early Soviet Union, and 1920s/30s France and Germany

roashter

the franco-prussian war of 1870, as well as the career of Bismarck always fascinated me

Computer Sci

I have always been fascinated by Medieval and Renaissance history – although the history of classical antiquity is also interesting. I have always been interested in the culture, traditions, music, architecture and castles of the Medieval people. I particulary like Gothic architecture and literature/ poetry such as what one would read in Dante’s Inferno, or see at sites such as Notre Dame or Chartres.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

One area of history I have recently developed an enormous interest in is the process of colonization undertaken by European nations around the world in the nineteenth century.

Kalimah

I would have loved to have done the American and English Civil Wars in school but all we got was the Land League:rolleyes:
I've read a huge amount on the French Revolution and the Tudors too. Love the Industrial Revolution and I nearly forgot Henry 11 and the Plantagenets!

Pablo Sanchez

I would have to say European colonialism, especially British, and the current remanants of said.

paky

I'd have to say the Norman conquest of Britain and Ireland

MarchDub

sensibleken wrote: »

my favourite is neolithic ireland.although unfortunetely it is also a time without any written evidence

One of my favourites too - and in spite of the lack of a written record the archeology of the past 50 years has revealed much about the period.

owenc

Definitely the plantation for me and not far behind it the colonisation of america!

jonniebgood1

Ireland from 1879 to 1924.
&
Facism in Europe in 20th century.
&
The Rise and fall of communism as an alternative to capitalism. (I feel a thread title emerging from this one soon).

MarchDub

paky wrote: »

I'd have to say the Norman conquest of Britain and Ireland

Historically the two cannot be referred to in the same manner i.e as "conquests".

There was the Norman Conquest of England which immediately resulted in William becoming King of England. The same resolute outcome did not happen in Ireland. There was an Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, but not actually what is historically called a conquest. Ireland presented a very difficult and convoluted picture and Anglo-Norman or English control was confined to the Pale area for centuries. The conquest of Ireland only came with the Tudor Conquest.

oncevotedff

At the moment I'm on a bit of a Civil War kick. I've been doing a little research in the newspaper archive in Thurles for information on Tipperary. The newspapers do give a real flavour of the times. It's amazing how unpopular the anti-treaty side managed to make themselves in a short space of time. Another point of note is the number of National Army casualties and the lack of commemoration of them.

Dude111

When you think about the past,10+ years ago what is your favourite thing about it?

Mine is HOW MUCH BETTER THINGS WERE MADE.... Quality was 1000% better,clothes felt better to wear,etc....... Houses were made better (Well 50+ years ago)

I am quite disgusted with how things have gone over the last few years,all this cheap crap replaced GOOD THINGS we remembered from years ago.......

What do you think??

jonniebgood1

There is a very similar thread here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056274043

EDIT: similar Threads merged

paky

MarchDub wrote: »

Historically the two cannot be referred to in the same manner i.e as "conquests".

There was the Norman Conquest of England which immediately resulted in William becoming King of England. The same resolute outcome did not happen in Ireland. There was an Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, but not actually what is historically called a conquest. Ireland presented a very difficult and convoluted picture and Anglo-Norman or English control was confined to the Pale area for centuries. The conquest of Ireland only came with the Tudor Conquest.

an attempt to lecture me on history eh?

CDfm

Dude111 wrote: »

When you think about the past,10+ years ago what is your favourite thing about it?

Mine is HOW MUCH BETTER THINGS WERE MADE.... Quality was 1000% better,clothes felt better to wear,etc....... Houses were made better (Well 50+ years ago)

I am quite disgusted with how things have gone over the last few years,all this cheap crap replaced GOOD THINGS we remembered from years ago.......

What do you think??

20 or so years ago a friend of mine died of what was really concussion recieved in a car accident whereas today he would have survived. Another died of cancer that today would be treatable. 18 & 21 years old respectively.

Where I lived the TV reception was so poor a colour tv was out of the question.

Favorite is mobile broadband - my grandparents had a wind up phone that went thru an exchange and operator.

CDfm

paky wrote: »

an attempt to lecture me on history eh?

Oh I would love to attend that lecture ; when and where is it on :pac:

Judgement Day

CDfm wrote: »

20 or so years ago a friend of mine died of what was really concussion recieved in a car accident whereas today he would have survived. Another died of cancer that today would be treatable. 18 & 21 years old respectively.

Where I lived the TV reception was so poor a colour tv was out of the question.

Favorite is mobile broadband - my grandparents had a wind up phone that went thru an exchange and operator.

Only one answer to that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

CDfm

Judgement Day wrote: »

Only one answer to that.

I am not talking to you. You broke this.

Dude111

CDfm wrote:

20 or so years ago a friend of mine died of what was really concussion recieved in a car accident whereas today he would have survived. Another died of cancer that today would be treatable. 18 & 21 years old respectively.

Im so sorry buddy

CDfm

Dude111 wrote: »

Im so sorry buddy

i have a son their age who has not seen that in his life

but my youth was better than my dads. when my dad left home to work he arrived back on holiday the following year and the family next door were gone -dead or dying from TB

we live in a far better time than 25 or 55 years ago

Einhard

I love history, but don't like Irish history because it's quite painful. Anyone else find this?

sensibleken

Einhard wrote: »

I love history, but don't like Irish history because it's quite painful. Anyone else find this?

not really

jos28

I love 19th century Irish history. It's a fascinating period filled with leaders like O'Connell and Parnell and which despite the famine, saw a complete turnaroune in Irish society.

Giggsy_

Very interested in European history around the time of the reign of the Tudor and Stuart kings and queens ... Also love all tings american history.

Andy!!

I find it odd that there is not a dedicated World History forum, unless I'm missing it. This subforum seems to be dedicated to Irish History. If there is a better place for this thread, please move it mods.

Anyway. I've always been fascinated by the founding of America from the colonisation onwards. But I'm woefully ignorant on the subject. I learn best from watching documentaries, then audio like podcasts, then the written word afterwards. So I'm looking for recommendations in that order. Can anyone recommend good documentaries, podcasts or even some light reading all about the colonisation and establishment of America?

jonniebgood1

Andy!! wrote: »

I find it odd that there is not a dedicated World History forum, unless I'm missing it. This subforum seems to be dedicated to Irish History. If there is a better place for this thread, please move it mods.

Anyway. I've always been fascinated by the founding of America from the colonisation onwards. But I'm woefully ignorant on the subject. I learn best from watching documentaries, then audio like podcasts, then the written word afterwards. So I'm looking for recommendations in that order. Can anyone recommend good documentaries, podcasts or even some light reading all about the colonisation and establishment of America?

The forum is for history, not just Irish history. If you search you will see that. Given that this is an Irish domain Irish history is going to be prominent.

telekon

My favourite era of Irish history is between the 1790s and the famine, in particular 1798 and its lead up.

I love reading about Ireland's social history in the early 19th century, the landed classes, the roadways and first railways, tho wonderful Georgian architecture and the Irish vernacular.

nuac

Find all history interesting. Particular periods

1. Greek and Roman ancient history - from studying classics at school.

2. Viking voyages - great explorers without all modern aids

3. Napoleonic wars - sheer scale from Portugal to Moscow

4. Land League campaign in Ireland - successful political action

5, War of Independence and Civil War

6. WW2 - how Ireland maintained a precarious neutrality

Hidalgo

Europe in the 1920s and the rise of extreme nationalism which led to Fascism & Nazism. The whole concept of a single leader being above reproach and attempting to sweep an entire population along with him.

Spanish civil war.

The Spanish empire and reconquest of Spain by Ferdinand and Isabel followed by the 'new world' discoveries.
Add to that French-Spanish relations in the lead up to the 30 year war.

Australian & American history from the perspective of Aborigine and native American tribes point of view. The majority is from settlers viewpoint but its fascinating to contrast the two.

Social history of Ireland post famine into the early 20th century, emigration etc

Balmed Out

China - Find it amazing how long its been around in one form or another, they had one dynasty lasting about the same time as the roman empire lasted.
mesopotamia
eastern roman empire
crusades and the hold orders
Irish disporia, particularly military stuff
Mysteries

gobnaitolunacy

19th-20th cent. Industrial Revolution, esp. shipping and land transport. Social history.
Would be interested to know more about French Indochina/British Malaya and Burma, not an awful lot out about it. Esp. what the native peoples made of it all.

Bit p*ssed off with recent Irish history, hard to get an unbiased account or a discussion without descending into namecalling.