History

We will conclude our book, The Swerve, by Stephen Greenblatt. After reading the first half of the book, we feel that it deserves all the major awards and prestigious endorsements it received. The controversy that it created, however, comes from the second half, and we will discuss whatever feelings we have about that at this meeting.…

Before our Covid-19 delay, we were in the process of reading the book, The Swerve (2012), by Stephen Greenblatt. This book won many awards, including both a Pulitzer and a National Book award. Even its critics praised the book as a well-written, important addition to the genre of the beginnings of the Renaissance. However, some historians…

We will be beginning a new book, 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created (2011), by Charles Mann. A new paperback edition of this book can be had for $15 - $18, and an ebook is only $5. For the 3rd we will read through Part One. This book is a companion to the author's book, 1491: New Revelations…

We will conclude our discussion of the book 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, by Charles Mann. The last parts of the book return to the subject of the conquest of the Americas by the conquistadors (including Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean; clearly, the natives never knew it was there), as well as a discussion…

For this meeting we will be beginning a new book, Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes (2010) by Tamim Ansary. This book can be had new in paperback for $15 - $19, and as an ebook for around $12. For the 5th, we'll read through chapter 7. To most people in the…

We will continue our discussion of the book, Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes, by Tamim Ansary. For this meeting we will cover chapters 8 through 11, which chronicle the ending of the Islamic Golden Age. Fortunately for you, the MISF History Study Group's Golden Age is continuing. Getting Goldener even.

This meeting will cover the last chapters of the book, Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes, by Tamim Ansary. The author brings his story of Islam up to the present day. If you have an opinion about the Islamic world and the U.S., and the reason things are the way they are…

The book we are tackling this time is From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt against the West and the Remaking of Asia (2012) by Indian author Pankaj Mishra. A new paperback version of the book lists for $20, but can be found for less. An ebook is $13. This meeting will cover the first three chapters.…

We will finish discussing the book From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt against the West and the Remaking of Asia (2015) by Pankaj Mishra. This will conclude our reading of two books in a row by people with a strong non-Western perspective, the sort of books which provide the equivalent of a cold splash of…

We will begin the book In the Time of Madness: Indonesia on the Edge of Chaos (2005) by Richard Lloyd Parry. A new paperback can be found for as little as $10, and an ebook is $8 - $11. For this meeting we will read the first two chapters, up to page 175. The author says that…

We are going to conclude our discussion of the book, In the Time of Madness: Indonesia on the Edge of Chaos, by journalist Richard Lloyd Parry. This is a book about the struggles of a third world country of hundreds of ethnic groups and languages spread over thousands of islands in an area on the globe of…

There has been much talk recently of “political bubbles,” where people reinforce their own biases by talking only with those who agree with them, increasing the polarization we already have in this country. But there is another kind of bubble that is usually ignored: one that starts with what we are taught in school and…

We will finish our discussion of History Lessons: How Textbooks from Around the World Portray U.S. History by Dana Lindaman and Kyle Ward. You may also be concerned with how historians around the world will portray the MISF History Study Group. Just to be sure it's sufficiently acclamatory, you need to show up prepared to participate…

We will start a new book: Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence (2015) by Karen Armstrong. A new paperback of the book is around $17 and an ebook is $14. For the 2nd we will read Part I. Armstrong has won numerous awards for her books and is regarded as one of today's best…

We will continue discussing our book, Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong, by reading Part II. This is a book of warfare and conflict followed by reactions by some of empathy and harmony. It's an Olympics of ruthlessness, brutality, compassion, and sacrifice by the best of the best kings, emperors,…

We will be concluding the book, Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong. In Part III, Armstrong covers the modern era, from the Reformation and the voyages of discovery to the religious conflicts of today. If you haven't had the time to read the whole book, I have some encouraging news.…

Our next book is: The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by Serhii Plokhy.  We are taking on the 2021 revised edition that is evidently quite popular as it is a little challenging to track down (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Harvard Bookstore are the only options with stock today). Ukraine has long been the…

We are still gaining daylight these days - which means you can enjoy our next book almost anywhere: The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science by Seb Falk. Soaring Gothic cathedrals, violent crusades, the Black Death: these are the dramatic forces that shaped the medieval era. But the so-called Dark Ages also gave…

Heading Southeast from our last book we travel to Burma. A place greatly influenced by natural disaster, colonial rule, fast-rising inequality, disintegrating state institutions, social media, China next door, climate change, and so much more. Join us as we learn how the 55 million residents look towards the future, by reading and discussing .The Hidden…

We are finishing the book, Chapters 6-9, The Hidden History of Burma: Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century, by ThantMyint-U. Burma, a place greatly influenced by natural disaster, colonial rule, fast-rising inequality, disintegrating state institutions, social media, China next door, climate change, and so much more. Join us as we learn how…

We will be discussing Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer​. Of course you have heard about Cornelius Vanderbilt and his unbelievable wealth. However, there is a story about him you probably don't know. Have you heard of William Walker or the fight over Nicaragua? Join us…

While we read many fantastic books, this was the first time in months where everyone was really looking forward to the rest of the book! We have seen Cornelius Vanderbilt amass great wealth and then go on vacation only to find himself being ousted by those he trusted. Now he has vowed to ruin them…

Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West, by Hampton Sides We are finishing the book. So far we have met a wonderful assortment of characters. Navajo warrior Narbona, “The Army of the West,” Christopher “Kit” Carson, and a few others. Things are all lining up for the second half to be a great…

The Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire (Stephen R. Bown). We are taking a different route this next book - we are heading up to Canada! The story of the Hudson's Bay Company, dramatic, adventurous and complex, is the story of modern Canada's creation. (So says Stephen Bown's website - so…

The Company: The Rise and Fall of the Hudson's Bay Empire  Part 2  (Stephen R. Bown). We are taking a different route this next book - we are heading up to Canada! The story of the Hudson's Bay Company, dramatic and adventurous and complex, is the story of modern Canada's creation. (So says Stephen Bown's website…

Richest Man Who Ever Lived: The Life and Times of Jacob Fugger (Greg Steinmetz).The story of a man with a fortune rivaling nearly two percent of European GDP. Not only did Jacob want to make money, he pursued new ways to make money - and had to sway the minds of very influential people to…

We will be reading The Burgundians: A Vanished Empire (Bart Van Loo). It's the story of 1,111+ years of dynastic struggles in Northern Europe, including military campaigns, art, architecture, and music, and a few bad marriages! A massively popular book (not just the publisher says this) with highly positive reviews from thousands of people -…

We will be reading and discussing Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World (Adrian Goldsworthy) We are going back in time, to the 1st & 2nd centuries. We will be reading about the Roman Empire at its height, enjoying peace and prosperity. However, I think it safe to say it is not a…

We will continue reading and discussing Pax Romana: War, Peace and Conquest in the Roman World (Adrian Goldsworthy). For this session we will finishing the book. We are going back in time, to the 1st & 2nd centuries. We will be reading about the Roman Empire at its height, enjoying peace and prosperity. However, I think it…

We will be discussing The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR'S Secretary of Labor and His Moral Conscience (2010) by Kirstin Downey I am quite excited about this book. I have to admit I have read the first chapter and am ready for more. A history book about a person few people have heard…

Continuing our journey through the ages and across the lands, our next stop is the Prophet Muhammad, and what happened after his death. Accordingly, we will be reading and discussing The Heirs of Muhammad: Islam's First Century and the Origins of the Sunni-Shia Split, by Barnaby Rogerson. For this first session we will be reading…

We will continue discussing The Heirs of Muhammad: Islam's First Century and the Origins of the Sunni-Shia Split (Barnaby Rogerson), our current stop being the Prophet Muhammad, and what happened after his death. This book looks at the Sunni and Shia schism in relation to actions of the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law Ali and his wife Aisha. We are…

Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America by Harry Watson What better way to head into 2024, an important election year, than to visit 1816 America? That is what we thought...Focusing on Jackson, this book covers the rise of strong political parties and an increased popular involvement in national politics. What could more entertain…

We will continue discussing the book, 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, by Charles Mann, by reading Parts Two and Three. Previously we spent time examining the worldwide boom in New World tobacco sales, the global spread of malaria into subtropical and even temperate areas, and the huge expansion of slavery, particularly the African…

Perilous Question: Reform or Revolution? Britain on the Brink, 1832 by Antonia Fraser Join us for "a narrative which at times reads like a political thriller." The characters: Whig Lord Grey, the conservative Duke of Wellington, revolutionaries William Cobbett and Francis Place, in addition to regular people. The setting: 1830s (title might have given that away).…

The Wager:
A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann

Ready for an extreme version of "he said" "HE said"! The British ship Wager left England in 1740 on a secret mission but did not accomplish its goal. Instead multiple groups of shipwreck survivors turn up in 1742 with differing stories of their experiences, leading to accusations of treachery and murder.

Jean McConville, a thirty-eight-year-old mother of ten, was dragged from her Belfast home in December of 1972, never to be seen alive again. A climate of fear and paranoia meant no one would speak of it, even though everyone knew who did it.

Our new book is The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings (2014) by Lars Brownworth. This book can be purchased in paperback for around $14, but an ebook is only $5. For the 21st we will read through the first part, “The Raiders.” Since this may be confusing for some readers, we want to make it clear…

We will be reading and discussing If a Pirate I Must Be: The True Story of Black Bart, "King of the Caribbean Pirates" by Richard Sellers

How much did the pirate pay for his peg and hook? An arm and a leg!

Bartholomew Roberts, aka Black Bart, a great Caribbean pirate. Drinking tea instead of rum, banning women and gambling, he never made his prisoners walk the plank. Evidently there are many more interesting facts to discover, so say the reviews!