JustAdventure+ Book Group discussion

Hi guys! How about we put our good reads regarding history and science in here, since a few of us have interests in those fields.
Caroline and Fnord mentioned Bill Bryson's Short History of Nearly Everything, which I have now also ordered.

Caroline, you might be interested to know that I've just purchased This Sceptred Isle : 55BC-1901
by Christopher Lee.
You might or not be interested in my concomitant purchase of: A World history of the 20th Century: Western Dominance 1900-1945; by J.A.S. Grenville

I don't read much in the way of science, and most of my history reads are limited to the history of my own nation, but if you've ever been curious about the history of the early Norman kings of England, Canadian historian Thomas B. Costain's series (starting with The Conquering Family) is a fantastically vabrant read, filled with fact, myth and conjecture, the stories of their lives woven into a wonderful tapestry of life, love, war, intrigue and everything else you would expect from those heady times.

I never did finish the series, I'm shamed to say, but I cherish my library-bound hardcovers very much indeed.

Most of what I read about history/science mascarades as historical fiction. Having said that, I developed an interest in British history after readng a multitude of Arthurian fantasies, and other books like The Other Boleyn Girl, and the Baroque Cycle. Many times I'm prompted by something I've read to check out Wiki or watch documentaries on TV.

@ Elvet" Many times I'm prompted by something I've read to check out Wiki or watch documentaries on TV. "

Heh - yes, I'm about to look up on Louis XIV, Benjamin Franklin, and Sir Isaac Newton, because of the "alternate history' fantasy book by Greg Keyes I'm reading (mentioned in the SF thread), Newton's Cannon.

I know a little bit about each, of course, but Keyes is throwing out an interesting set of circumstances that involves all three, and I'm interested to see just how much he's twisted actual history for the purposes of this novel.

Btw, I highly recommend The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey . 100% historically accurate or not, it tickled my fancy, and made me look at Richard III with renewed interest and curiosity. IMO it is also very well written.

Traveller wrote: "@ Elvet" Many times I'm prompted by something I've read to check out Wiki or watch documentaries on TV. "

Heh - yes, I'm about to look up on Louis XIV, Benjamin Franklin, and Sir Isaac Newton, b..."
Might I recommend Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle?
It's 3 biggish books and covers the late 1600 - 1700s in England and Europe centering on the Age of Enlightenment. Newton is a main character as is Leibniz, Wren, etc. and the politics behind the Hapsburg ascencion to the throne. I found it fascinating.