There are some key characteristics to look for in good historical non fiction books. One of the most important factors to consider is the author. Some authors are very controversial and seem to thrive on stirring up a hornet's nest around their latest book. Good writers are also meticulous researchers, they may need to spend years putting together all the facts surrounding their work.
Readers today are still fascinated by the life and times of the ancient Greeks. Their lives were very harsh by our standards yet they still managed to develop a highly complex society and government. Most students spend time studying life in Athens to learn about architecture, democracy and statesmanship. These features are inherently linked with Greece and the ideas developed over two thousand years ago are still part of our lives today.
The Roman Empire has received a lot of attention from non fiction authors. The Romans were the first group to systematically set out to conquer other nations and assimilate many different groups into their way of life. They based their architecture on the Greek model and added their own unique brand of massive public buildings. They were a war like nation who seemed to be in constant turmoil, both at home and throughout the empire.
Although human nature has remained remarkably consistent, the demands of society have changed dramatically. The role of women is still evolving and many great works have been devoted to this theme. The inquisition of the medieval period was really more about suppressing the power of women and instilling whole scale terror, than about any real fear of witchcraft. Modern writers still find the topic captivating and new works still appear in print every year.
As European history progressed and the Roman empire fell the entire continent was plunged into a thousand years of mayhem. One of the most famous books about this period is Edward Gibbons Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He discussed the reasons for the end of the empire and the implications for the population who lived there.
As the Medieval period gave way to the Renaissance there continues to be a scientific, cultural and religious development. Great figures such as Galileo and Leonardo De Vinci dominate the period and many excellent works have been written about them. Readers should be very aware of author bias and take the time to learn how to critique their sources properly. Everyone has their own personal perspective, however some writers are better at keeping a more impartial view than others.
Kings and queens make the perfect subject for a non fiction book. Often their lives are so exciting that there is no need for embellishment. Henry the eighth of England is one such king. His legendary seven wives still seem to come to life from the pages of a good book.
Historical non fiction books continue to be a favorite among readers. They provide many interesting factual accounts of the lives and deaths of our ancestors. Their history holds a fascination over many of us. We feel a need to know and understand what they experienced and how they felt.
Readers today are still fascinated by the life and times of the ancient Greeks. Their lives were very harsh by our standards yet they still managed to develop a highly complex society and government. Most students spend time studying life in Athens to learn about architecture, democracy and statesmanship. These features are inherently linked with Greece and the ideas developed over two thousand years ago are still part of our lives today.
The Roman Empire has received a lot of attention from non fiction authors. The Romans were the first group to systematically set out to conquer other nations and assimilate many different groups into their way of life. They based their architecture on the Greek model and added their own unique brand of massive public buildings. They were a war like nation who seemed to be in constant turmoil, both at home and throughout the empire.
Although human nature has remained remarkably consistent, the demands of society have changed dramatically. The role of women is still evolving and many great works have been devoted to this theme. The inquisition of the medieval period was really more about suppressing the power of women and instilling whole scale terror, than about any real fear of witchcraft. Modern writers still find the topic captivating and new works still appear in print every year.
As European history progressed and the Roman empire fell the entire continent was plunged into a thousand years of mayhem. One of the most famous books about this period is Edward Gibbons Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He discussed the reasons for the end of the empire and the implications for the population who lived there.
As the Medieval period gave way to the Renaissance there continues to be a scientific, cultural and religious development. Great figures such as Galileo and Leonardo De Vinci dominate the period and many excellent works have been written about them. Readers should be very aware of author bias and take the time to learn how to critique their sources properly. Everyone has their own personal perspective, however some writers are better at keeping a more impartial view than others.
Kings and queens make the perfect subject for a non fiction book. Often their lives are so exciting that there is no need for embellishment. Henry the eighth of England is one such king. His legendary seven wives still seem to come to life from the pages of a good book.
Historical non fiction books continue to be a favorite among readers. They provide many interesting factual accounts of the lives and deaths of our ancestors. Their history holds a fascination over many of us. We feel a need to know and understand what they experienced and how they felt.
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