Books matching: social history
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- #1
Save:'The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century' by Ian Mortimer is a popular history book that delves into the lived experience of people in the fourteenth century. The book offers a detailed exploration of everyday life, social hierarchy, travel, health, hygiene, education, literature, and more during this period. Mortimer vividly describes various aspects of life, from food and clothing to laws and entertainment, making the distant time and place of medieval England concretely visible to readers. The book is structured like a modern travel guide, providing insights into the culture shock a visitor would have experienced in the fourteenth century.
It is the cathedral that you will see first. As you journey along the road you come to a break in the trees and there it is, massive and magnificent, cresting the hilltop in the morning sun. Despite t... 'If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of the Home' by Lucy Worsley is a fascinating exploration of the history of domestic life in England, focusing on the evolution of four key rooms - the living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Worsley's writing style draws readers in with humor and anecdotes, tracing how these rooms and the activities within them have changed over time. The book provides insights into societal changes, technological innovations, and the evolution of manners, all while presenting a charming and entertaining narrative.
Worsley's book is a delightful journey through the social history of British domestic life, offering readers a glimpse into the customs, practices, and everyday activities that took place within the home. From discussions on privacy, childbirth, and cleanliness to anecdotes about historical figures and societal norms, the book paints a vivid picture of life in different time periods. Worsley's breezy and affable writing style makes the book an engaging read, appealing to both history enthusiasts and casual readers interested in learning about the past.
Today your bedroom is the backstage area where you prepare for your performance in the theatre of the world. For us it’s a private place, and it’s rude to barge into someone else’s bedroom without kno...- #3
Save:'The Fifties' by David Halberstam is a detailed account of American history during the 1950s, covering topics such as housing, civil rights, foreign policy, pop culture, and more. The author presents the decade as a period of significant social, cultural, and political turmoil that laid the groundwork for the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960s. Through a series of historical short stories, Halberstam vividly depicts how events from the 1950s have deep and profound roots influencing the world we live in today.
IN THE BEGINNING, THAT era was dominated by the shadow of a man no longer there—Franklin D. Roosevelt. He had died in 1945, but his impact on American politics was so profound that even the most power... 'Chaucer's People: Everyday Lives in Medieval England' by Liza Picard offers a detailed and scholarly analysis of the background to the various characters on pilgrimage to Canterbury in the 14th century. The book provides a fascinating insight into the social history of medieval England, exploring the lives of everyday people through the lens of Chaucer's travelers in the Canterbury Tales. Picard's writing style is described as authoritative in content yet light and breezy, infused with entertaining British wit, making the historical information accessible and engaging for readers.
She was certainly eye-catching. ‘Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue.’ She had an elaborate wimple round her face and head, and a wide-brimmed hat on the top of it, as big as an archery target...- #5
Save:'The Making of Home' by Judith Flanders is a detailed exploration of the history and evolution of the concept of home. The author delves into various aspects of home interiors history, shedding light on how the idea of home has developed over centuries. The book covers topics ranging from architectural development to the contents of homes, providing insightful revelations for readers interested in social history.
The writing style of the book has been described as detail-dense, offering a wealth of information for readers familiar with the subject matter. However, some readers found the writing to be challenging to follow at times, with the narrative jumping between eras and locations. Despite this, the book is praised for its informative content and the author's ability to trace the changing definition of home through different time periods and cultures.
While the word ‘home’ for many today conjures up ideas of retreat from the world, at the same time few would argue that what makes homes desirable are the products of the industrial world, whether it ... 'Ivan's War: Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939-1945' by Catherine Merridale offers a gripping and detailed account of the experiences of the Red Army soldiers during World War II. Through interviews, letters, and investigations, Merridale unveils the harsh realities faced by the average Soviet soldier, portraying them as ill-equipped, poorly led, and viewed as expendable by their own government. The book delves into the struggles and sacrifices of these soldiers, shedding light on their brutal and often overlooked role in the largest and most brutal land conflict in human history.
Merridale's writing style is captivating and well-researched, providing a comprehensive and eye-opening narrative of the Russian Army's journey from a disorganized and ill-prepared force in 1939 to a formidable fighting machine by the end of the war. The author skillfully explores the propaganda wars, the Communist government's treatment of its soldiers and citizens, and the personal stories of the soldiers who endured the horrors of war, offering a unique perspective on a lesser-known aspect of World War II.
The opportunity to research and to write this book was a privilege, and I am indebted to many people for their generosity, patience, learning and support. The greatest burden was carried by a successi...- #7
Save:"Unmask Alice: LSD, Satanic Panic, and the Imposter Behind the World's Most Notorious Diaries" by Rick Emerson delves into the story of Alice and Jay, revealing their true identities and the impact of their fabricated diaries on society. Through a mix of research and storytelling, Emerson uncovers the exploitation, trauma, and mass hysteria surrounding these characters, shedding light on the dark truths behind the popular narratives. navigates through themes of addiction, exploitation, and the intersection between grief and fame, offering a compelling and eye-opening exploration of how lies and sensationalism can shape public perception.
Emerson's writing style in "Unmask Alice" is described as engaging and captivating, with the ability to push readers through interlocking threads of the story. is praised for being well-researched and informative, providing a social history of the 1970s and 1980s while also drawing parallels to modern society. It offers a critical look at how individuals like Dr. Beatrice Sparks exploited tragedies for personal gain, ultimately unmasking the truth behind the fabricated diaries and the impact on those involved.
- #8
Save:'The Victorian House' by Judith Flanders delves into the domestic life of ordinary Victorians, focusing on the rooms in the house to represent different stages in life. The author's writing style is clear and engaging, providing insights into the daily life, roles, and challenges faced by individuals during the Victorian era. Flanders skillfully combines informative content with entertainment value, making the book accessible and enjoyable for readers interested in history and the Victorian period.
'A People's History of the United States' by Howard Zinn presents American history through the eyes of the marginalized and oppressed, such as indigenous peoples, slaves, women, workers, and the poor. Zinn challenges the traditional narrative of American history by highlighting the struggles and perspectives of those often overlooked in mainstream historical accounts. The book provides a comprehensive and alternative view of historical events, offering a critical analysis of the foundations of the United States and shedding light on lesser-known rebellions and movements that have shaped the nation.
Zinn's writing style in 'A People's History of the United States' is described as engaging, readable, and well-sourced. Readers find the book to be informative, eye-opening, and thought-provoking, as it delves into the darker aspects of American history that are often omitted or sugar-coated in traditional textbooks. Through detailed accounts and historical facts, Zinn offers readers a different perspective on key events and figures in American history, encouraging critical thinking and a reevaluation of commonly held beliefs about the nation's past.
Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island’s beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors c...- #10
Save:'At Home: A Short History of Private Life' by Bill Bryson takes readers on a journey through history via one house built in an improbably important year of 1851. Bryson uses his own English country home as a framework for exploring innovations and history in everyday life, from domestic inventions to the history of archaeology, child labor to the plight of country parsons. Each room in his home represents different concepts to be discussed, such as health and cleanliness in the bathroom, child labor in the nursery, and innovations in the kitchen. Bryson's writing style is described as chatty, engaging, and very interesting, making the book a fascinating read full of obscure facts and history.
In the autumn of 1850, in Hyde Park in London, there arose a most extraordinary structure: a giant iron-and-glass greenhouse covering nineteen acres of ground and containing within its airy vastness e...
