History of Magic: Term XXVI, Activity 08 History Rec

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Activity: History Rec
Points: 10 points participation
Deadline: Thursday August 29 at 11pm UTC (7pm EDT)
Details: Recommend a novel / short story / biography that relates to history in some way! This can be historical fiction, medieval fantasy or even nonfiction. Include Title, Author, and a brief summary. Use the textbox provided to submit & sign with your name and house (or a sigtag) for points!

<B>Title/Author</b>: <B>Historical Time Period:</b> (can be specific like 1900 or general like medieval England) <B>Brief summary:</b> name/house/sigtag

Don't forget to sign the roster to receive bonus points!
 

Comments

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

[storminmay]

Are we making up a rec based on something in wizarding world history, or is it supposed to be based on IRL history?

[magfrump.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: His Majesty's Dragon/Naomi Novik
Historical Time Period: Napoleonic Wars (1810s?)
Brief summary: The Napoleonic wars told from the perspective of a British Naval officer who becomes entangled with the Aerial Corps. The aerial corps is of course the branch of the military who ride dragons. Excellent world-building, great characters, and no magic. I get the impression that the history is pretty well-researched... at least up until the point that dragons start making the world very different. The seventh (and possibly final?) book in the series just came out a few days ago, at least ostensibly. I haven't been able to find a copy in person yet. This series is possibly my favorite fantasy series of all time.

[slumber.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
Historical Time Period: ummm, it's more of a historical overview from the start of civilization to recently
Brief summary: I really love this book. It's basically a summary of the stone age to the present, seen through the lens of what drink defined that time period. Why and how did we come about beer, what influence did wine have on spreading Grecian culture, how did spirits fuel the age of exploration, what kind of influences did coffee have on the age of reason, and so on. The invention, popularity, and cultural significance and historical impact of each drink is touched upon in a way that is bite-sized educational (great for random trivia) and also enjoyable.

Evyclaw

[kaitydid33087.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Night//Eli Wielsel (I think that's how you spell his name)
Historical Time Period: World War II, Poland, I believe.
Brief summary: Night, is about Mr. Wielsel's, and his father's, real life account at Auschwitz and Buchenwald from 1944-1945. It's personally, one of my favorite books. It shows the real life horror of the concentration camps and what the Nazi's would do. He was 16 when the camp was liberated. He fortunately survived, his father, however, did not. It's a horrific tale, but really told in a wonderful way.

Kaity//Puff

[passerine.livejournal.com]

This is one of my faves, too. Have you read the others in the trilogy (Dawn, and Day)?

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff
Historical Time Period: 1776, America's Revolutionary War
Brief summary: Listen. This is a book about time travel. Five kids find a row boat that magically~ takes them to 1776. They meet soldiers and learn a lot about the Revolutionary War and war in general -- that it's not all heroics and history's not very boring. They also meet George Washington and even cross the Delaware with him! It's a book for young children, like maybe 10 year olds. But I love it and have even read it recently. So I recommend this for any GW lover!

[passerine.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Maus by Art Spiegelman
Historical Time Period: World War II
Brief summary:
Maus is a graphic novel (the first ever graphic novel to win a Pulitzer prize) that tells the story of Spiegelman's father's experiences before, during, and after his time in the concentration camps in Poland during WWII. It's a haunting story, depicting the characters as animals (Jews as mice, Germans as cats, etc) and showing the guilt and other complex emotions felt by survivors of trauma and torture. It really goes into the senior Spiegelman's life after surviving the Holocaust, and his damaged relationship with his cartoonist son.

Julia // Slytherin

[meredith44]

This was the first graphic novel I read (I read it for one of my library school classes) and it was amazing. I hadn't realized how affecting graphic novels versus novels could be before that.

Meredith // Hufflepuff

[meredith44]

Title/Author: The Sunne in Splendor by Sharon K. Penman
Historical Time Period: England during the War of the Roses, specifically from about 1460 to 1485
Brief summary: This is a historical fiction account of the life of Richard III, starting from when he was a young child until his death. Most people are familiar with Richard through such sources as Shakespeare's play, accounts where he is usually portrayed as an evil villain. Sharon Penman instead took the tack that "history is written by the victors" and tried to use as many sources written during the time of Richard's life rather than the time after his defeat. And the picture she paints is of a man who made some poor choices but who was complex and interesting and trying to do the right thing. It's a compelling and different take on a person that has quite the reputation otherwise.

Meredith // Hufflepuff

[scarletladyy.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Historical Time Period: The Great Depression
Brief summary: This is a book that will probably stay with you forever. Its major theme is friendship, and it's about two migrant ranch workers that move around a lot for new job opportunities in California during The Great Depression. The workers, George and Lennie, have a dream of owning their own land one day. George is very intelligent but has no education, while Lennie is strong but has a limited mental capacity (for example, his main dream for the land is to have rabbits that he can stroke). As a result of this, George is Lennie's protector in life, and looks after him. It starts with them having fled from previous employment after Lennie was accused of attempted rape, having stroked a woman's dress and not let go. Their story is told from there on, as they find a new place to work and we follow them there. It's a very, very good and strong book and I love it to bits. Whenever I recall it, I remember everything I felt when I first read it because it evokes such strong emotions. I definitely think it's a must-read.

Fairy//Hufflepuff

[herloved-beauty.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: All Quiet on the Western Front // Erich Maria Remarque
Historical Time Period: World War I
Brief summary: Paul Baumer is a German Soldier during World War I, having signed up on the urging of a teacher from school. The book goes on to describe, in detail, Baumer's relationship with his battalion, as well as his schoolmates who joined in the service with him. It chronicles gains and loss of field, as well as a particularly depressing 'leave' visit to his own hometown after being shaken by the war.

Megan // Gryff

[passerine.livejournal.com]

I only read this because I had to for school (not a big fan of the general topic of war outside of WWII and the Cold war, but mostly because of the politics/aftermath) but I'm SO GLAD I actually read it.

[tralfamadore.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Historical Time Period: 1918 - 1994, essentially. Deals with the apartheid era in South Africa.
Brief summary: Long Walk to Freedom is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress and President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. This book chronicles Mandela's life from birth, through his involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, to his 27 years spent in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the South African government. It is an extremely interesting in-depth look at one of the most noted leaders in the world, and his own justification for moving towards violence to protest apartheid.

Andie; Ravenclaw

[storminmay]

Title/Author: Queen of Fashion by Caroline Weber
Historical Time Period: French Revolution
Brief summary: Weber examines Marie Antoinette's fashion during her reign as Queen of France and how it played a crucial role in her fate and her legacy as a fashion icon. It's definitely an "ode to dressmaking" as a political tool and seriously deconstructs the modern public view of Marie Antoinette as the "cake queen." The book includes tons of sketches and is incredibly well-researched, perfect for the historical fashionista!

[pretty-panther.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Munitions of the Mind: A History of propaganda from the ancient world to the present day by Philip M. Taylor
Historical Time Period: Covers the ancient world, middle ages, through the world wars and up to the aftermath of 9/11
Brief summary: This covers how propaganda has been used during conflict and politics since the dawn of warfare and how it is used to manipulate people into certain actions. It covers blatant propaganda such as ww1 recruitment posters and more subtle propaganda such as the way news reports are presented to appear unbiased while trying to put forward a certain point of view. How the propaganda has changed and evolved with new technologies makes this a thought provoking read and left me questioning nearly everything I was presented with after. I'd like to think it has allowed me to see past a lot of propaganda and advertising since then.

Sam/Ravenclaw

[liliths-requiem.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Lady Almina and the Real Downtown Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon
Historical Time Period: Victorian/Edwardian England
Brief summary: This book basically focuses on the real history behind Almina and her husband, the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon. Some interesting highlights include Almina's time as a nurse and administrator of two successful hospitals during WWI, her husband's find of King Tut's tomb, and general life (especially regarding the servants) during this era. I have not watched Downtown Abbey at all, so I don't know how much interest those who have seen the show would have in this book, but I thought it was a very well-written and refreshingly personal account of Victorian and Edwardian upper class life. The author really illustrates the differences between the two eras and the horrors of war. She also delves into family politics and the unwritten codes of the time as well.

[rabidmunkee.livejournal.com]

I actually have this book on my bookshelf to read :) I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes these kinds of books.

Shawn//Hufflepuff

[cassinea.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Historical Time Period: 17th Century Holland
Brief summary: This story takes place from the point of a view of a young, relatively naive girl named Griet who is the servant of famous painter Johannes Vermeer's household. This fictional account explores the origins of this stunning painting.



What kind of man was Vermeer? What kind of genius? Behind every great man, some say, there is a great woman. Who is that woman in his life, if such a one exists? The timeframe of the story takes place over several months and then flashes forward many years. It is a haunting, lyrical read that begs the question: What is the price of greatness?

[rabidmunkee.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
Historical Time Period: April 1912
Brief summary: This book gives voices to the people who survived the Titanic disaster. Also what is different about this book than from the majority of Titanic books I have read (a past time of mine) is she tells what happens to the people after the sinking. Like what the go on to do in their lives. It was very surprising to me that so many committed suicide. Overall this was a great read and really brought to life what it was like on April 15, 1912 in the middle of the Atlantic. This book I finished in a day because I just couldn't put it down.

Shawn//Hufflepuff

[erzsebet.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Sex and Punishment: Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire, by Eric Berkowitz
Historical Time Period: earliest known history through the Gilded Age
Brief summary:
An account of various sex-related laws and issues from throughout history. It does have a lot of concentration on white Europeans but delves a bit into India and the Americas (though admittedly, only to talk about how it relates to Europeans). It's a pretty interesting read and I kind of blew my way through it. The author and subject make it a quick and informative read. Trigger warning for rape and victim blaming (not the author's, but history's).


Liz | Gryffindor

[evening12]

Title/Author: La butte à Pétard by Diane Carmel Léger
Historical Time Period: 1755 in Acadia (what is now known as parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine)
Brief summary: I read this books years and years ago. I was in grade 3 the first time I read it, and I think the fact that it stayed with me since than must mean that it's a good books (even though I haven't read it in a good while). La butte à Pétard tells the story of one family during the Acadian Deportation. When the English soldiers approach, Fidèle and his sister Prémelia follow their grandfather Pétard into the forest, in the hopes of staying in their country. The plan was for their father to join them as soon as their mother has recovered from giving birth. But, both parents are taken prisoner. For the rest of the book we follow Fidèle, Prémelia and Pétard as their live in hiding in the forest.

[cyn-ful.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
Historical Time Period: Jacobite Uprisings (1688-1746), The entire series goes through the Revolutionary War in the US
Brief summary: Claire is a nurse in the 1940's and she is taken back in time in the middle of the Jacobite uprisings. The story is an adventure, love story, but it is filled will history surrounding the uprising in Scotland and different information on the Highland Lords. It is a very fast read, and I know I couldn't put it down when I read it.

Cyn/Slytherin

[sanalith.livejournal.com]

+1!!!!

This was the very first time-travel historical fiction book I ever read, and I absolutely adored it! It's really clear Diana did her research, too, which is a real breath of fresh air for fiction writers. Did you read the rest of the series? I got through book four, when I felt the quality started to take a nose dive, though her historical accuracy remained as strong as ever.

[jamie-love13.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: I HavevLived A Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson
Historical Time Period: Holocaust
Brief summary: This is the journal of a young teenager who grows up during the years of Hitler's reign as a Jewish girl. It includes what she and her family went through, and is very moving.

Jamie / Gryffindor

[lotrangel17.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Historical Time Period: Occupied Germany, 1942
Brief summary: A diary written by a 13 year old Jewish girl who went into hiding from the Nazis. She spent 25 months with her family and another family and the diary tells about all the trials she dealt with trying to stay hidden and stay alive. What always gets me is the quote that is always written along with stories of her I still believe that people are really good at heart.

Steph//Puff

[brightflower]

Title/Author: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Historical Time Period: 19th century China
Brief summary: The story of a young girl's childhood in a small village of China. This book discusses the troubles daughters faced in that time period, including a life of servitude, arranged friendships and marriages, and an excruciating account of foot binding. The main character is Lily, who is paired up with a seemingly richer girl named Snow Flower, and the two of them take turns sending a fan back and forth, printing poems and secrets all over it. The book goes through Lily's entire life and really vividly shows the everyday life of this time period in China, when women were treated as second class people.

[nathalieweasley.livejournal.com]

Such a good book!

[pinksonia.livejournal.com]

Title/Author:1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus - Charles C. Mann
Historical Time Period: Pre-History
Brief summary: This is a non-fiction book that presents a general overview of what was happening in the Americas before European colonization. It particularly on the effects of people on landscapes, but there is plenty of information on general culture too.

Allison//Ravenclaw

[lukecanwaltz88.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Changes for Molly, by Valerie Tripp
Historical Time Period: World War II
Brief summary: Don't you judge me for loving the American Girl books. They were so great. Molly's dad is a soldier in WWII and he is about to come home. Molly has a surprised planned for him, which is performing as Miss Victory! But she gets sick! So, yeah, it's a children's book, but I remember actually learning a lot about what American families went through during the war. Planting gardens, rations, etc. So, you should read this, even if you don't have a child in your life, because it's awesome.

Jessica // Hufflepuff

[storminmay]

YES ANOTHER AG FAN!!! These dolls are what got me into history as a girl, and now I'm teaching it. :') All of the girls' books are worth reading and they do a great job of covering so many different time periods.

[nathalieweasley.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Night Over Water by Ken Follett
Historical Time Period: early September, 1939
Brief summary: A variety of characters representing all classes/genders/political dispositions/nationalities crosses the Atlantic just at the start of World War II. Ken Follett is a beautiful writer and he pulls you into the lives of the men and women on this journey. One of my favorites books of all time.

[shellzconlon.livejournal.com]

Title/Author: Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
Historical Time Period: World War II
Brief summary: The story focuses on the girl Lily during World War II. Her, her dad, and grandma always go to Rockaway Beach every summer, but the summer of 1944, her dad is sent to France to help rebuild the country. Her best friend Margaret moved away and the only person her age left is a boy named Albert from Hungary that was taken in by her neighbors. I remember first reading this book when I was in the sixth grade, but the story always stuck with me and I still have it on my shelf. I identified a lot with Lily growing up and I go back and read it whenever I'm feeling nostalgic. It's pretty interesting seeing the WWII from an 11 year old's perspective.

Michelle/Gryffindor