What's next on your history reading list?

I listen to most of my books. Sadly, through the library system (Libby Overdrive) you cannot find much in the way of ancients on audio. Which is why audible is so fun!
Currently enjoying Garrett Fagan's great battles of the ancient world:

 

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This one is excellent! Gore Vidal was a great storyteller....ive read this like 3 or 4 times!

 

For anyone who is just starting to research or read about the various Campaigns conducted by Augusti and Caesars in Britain I strongly recommend ……………



It can be purchased very inexpensively ($2.99 at present) as a Kindle read through Amazon - which I find to be a great way to access it for information and research on my iPad.

It may be the only reference book you ever need on this subject.

I particularly like the coverage of the Claudius Campaign to subjugate and add Britain to the Roman Empire. I learned a great deal about that Campaign that was new to me, or cast in a different light (especially the exploits of Vespasian).

In addition to being a highly regarded historian, Dr. Elliott is also a renowned Achaeologust which gives him some unique insights into the Britannic campaigns.

 

Just finished Volume 2 of "A History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps," and it just so happens to cover the Hellenistic and Roman ages from the time of the death of Alexander the Great up to Boethius. Includes the fabulous Cynics, Plotinus, Augustine and references to many Roman Emperors and historical events. Accessible and easy to read as well.



Volume 3 covers Islamic philosophy, which I have waiting in my bookshelf impatiently.

 

Just WOW! The quality is as you say fantastic!! I had to place my order immediately after seeing those photos! Very much appreciate you posting this today, though my wallet may disagree

 

Glad you got a set. That price is far under what Folio charged several years ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Be careful as books from the Folio society are gorgeous and highly addictive.

 

The picture I show of Blue is when she was much younger. She is 12 and completely white faced, and silver backed. She has hip displaysia pretty bad. But, will always follow me from room to room. When we are outside, she will walk 30 feet, then must set a spell. She wants to take long walks, but a few times I have had to carry her home. At 80 pounds, it can be a little hard on me too.

 

@Shea19 and @Justin Lee , I put both Ghost books on my Amazon list. Thanks for the ideas.

 

All the books I read, I mark up, score, write comments, dog-ear, etc. It is my way of consuming info. If I listen to a book, I would start writing on furniture, scoring up the rugs, and underlining the walls. It would be a challenging time for me to read listening books.

 

After The Mirror and the Light:

 

Diocletian and the Roman Recovery

 

I am so getting this one as well... The Folio Society should send you a Thank You card Or hire you in the sales department

Well, the history book I am going through at the moment is kinda old... About 300 years old to be precise!



It is a big folio of the history of England originally written by a Frenchman in the 1600s and my edition is an early 1700s translation of N. Tindal. I think I mentioned before that I am into antique books. I just love their smell believe it or not!



What I love about this one is that it has dozens of full page illustrations, numerous others within the text, many folding maps and genealogy trees.



The big surprise it is that it is full of coins too. They seem to be engravings of actual coins, so considering how old this book is I wouldn't be surprised if they never hid in the ground and they were always in private collections since the day they were struck. I think we had a recent thread recently raising this question.



Imagine if any cointalk members actually recognise their coins! (There are lots more in the book). I don't think they would mind finding out of such a provenance.



It is quite interesting reading a history book that old as it is quite evident that the language, morals, and geopolitical situation was so different when this book was written compared to today.

This book is actually regarded as an important cultural publication and it is in the public domain. You should be able to find it and read it for free online.

 

Reading this at the moment.



Published in 1997, it covers the excavations (1981 - mid 90s) at this important southern Italian site, together with the historical background and development of the monastery. Founded in the 8th century, it evidently enjoyed patronage from the Lombard dukes of Beneventum allowing it to grow substantially into a major pilgrimage destination until 881 when it was destroyed by a Muslim raid. It rebounded partially by the 12th century with a new abbey on the other side of the Volturno River but it never quite regained the high water mark set by its 9th century predecessor. All the archaeological details and drawings might make it a bit dry for those more interested in straight forward narrative history but still a rewarding read.

 

Just in from eBay, an 1872 copy of Persius The Satires, Latin with English. The seller's photos showed three pages referencing coins. How could I resist? I couldn't.

Please note these the seller's photos - I rarely wear purple nail polish.

Title Page:


Reference to the "brass of good old Saturn":


Reference to a "clipped 100-as piece". Would that be an aureus? Or a really, really big copper!


Reference to "coin fresh from the mint":


The handwriting of the annotator makes me really jealous.

 

Reading two books: one about the Crusades, which also has beautiful prints, published in 1843, an antiquarian purchase. The book was previously in the library of the Frankfurt University. When the crusade book gets too intense, I switch and read the second book about Augustus

 

Hey, Diocletian... I've got yer nose!!

 

I’m 3 chapters into this:

 

Wonderful books and many added to my list due to this thread..
A couple of weeks ago I received a used copy ($15 shipped) of this very nice oldie..



The coin photography is quite amazing.. time has been tight the last couple of months but going into a week of vacation (at home) I plan to enjoy this one..

 

Sutherland is certainly one of the greats in numismatics. Enjoy the book!

 

Your 2nd pic down; 60 As AV is my dream coin!

Since you have the book, could you get that coin for me?

Oh, and the 30 As Gold, reverse depicted, I believe only a few known, would be nice, also.