The most interesting period in history?

[steken1]

I've ran out of things I want to read. I can easily spend a full day or two just ploughing through a book when it catches my imagination. That hasn't happened since I finished the Emperor series a few months back.

I recently read Freakonomics, which was interesting, but isn't my usual read.

So, I'm a fan of larger than life characters, development of society, innovation and human stories. What period of history would you suggest I start looking at as it's getting on my nerves having nothing to read?

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Your mar's period.

 

[steken1]

Your mar's period.

Your mar's period.

So funny I quoted it twice, baldy.

 

[Pat's Van]

Rasputin's influence on, and the eventual downfall of the Russian Monarchy.

 

[degsy]

1650-1850, lots happened then

 

[The Cowboy]

Hard to look beyond WWII really. A most complex period of time, some of the most influential characters in history on all sides of the battle.

 

[Professor Toffee]

Have a read of some of the books dealing with the Unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella and the persecution of the Jews and Moors leading to the Spanish Inquisition
I see Henry Kamen has a new book out on the subject worth checking out
Books on the Age of Exploration Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Columbus are amazing like space exploration!

 

[Professor Toffee]

Rasputin's influence on, and the eventual downfall of the Russian Monarchy.

Read a biography of Rasputin recently as well as Ekatarinberg, which dealt with the incarceration of the Romanov's before they were killed. Scary times!

 

[The Cowboy]

Try reading 'Stasiland' by Anna Funder, combined with films like The Lives Of Others and Goodbye Lenin. Very interesting.

 

[Pat's Van]

the fascinating and turbulent tale of 20th century Nicaragua, Sandinistas v Contras !!

 

[Professor Toffee]

the fascinating and turbulent tale of 20th century Nicaragua, Sandinistas v Contras !!

Sandanistas V Contras that went to a sudden death shoot out, didnt it?

 

[Professor Toffee]

Hard to look beyond WWII really. A most complex period of time, some of the most influential characters in history on all sides of the battle.

Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by Shirer is an amazing book, written in 1960!

 

[Pat's Van]

Sandanistas V Contras that went to a sudden death shoot out, didnt it?

you're thinking of this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

still central america though so I can see where the confusion arises

 

[Professor Toffee]

you're thinking of this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

still central america though so I can see where the confusion arises

ah the football war, previously called the friendly derby

 

[malfosse]

I enjoy reading about the "volkerwanderung" period of history. The migration of various Germanic tribes and its effect on Europe.