Learning world history through anti-biogs, letters & novels

[bookie80]

Hi, I have long wanted to improve my knowledge on world history and would love to immerse myself in autobiographies, letters and novels set in a historic eras or historical moments. I have found that I learn best through reading from a human experience. If any of you have any recommendations of perhaps something you have read that gave you a far greater understanding of a moment in time, I would love to hear.

I like Violet Bonham Carter’s diaries which are her account of growing up in the 1900s and 1910s as daughter of the Prime Minister she is very privileged but I’ve really enjoyed reading them just for something different .

Oh thank you, that sounds just like the sort of thing I am looking for.

I feel there’s something in reading history right now, which could remind me that this pandemic will be the same, a moment in time.

I’m the same somehow reading anything from the two World Wars helps me realise this will be over one day . Another book from World War 2 this time is Nella Last’s diary ,there was an ITV drama based on it called Housewife 49 . It’s the diary of a middle aged lady during World War 2 and really interesting . She has a lovely way of writing .

A few that I think really bring the past to life

• Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain (autobiography, 1st world war)
• North and South & also Mary Barton by Mrs Gaskell (19th century - in fact all her novels)
• Shirley by Charlotte Bronte (the Luddites)
• The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Ann Bronte

I enjoyed Peter Frankopan's The Silk Roads - world history from an Asian/Eastern perspective.

Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Black Earth City by Charlotto Hobson
Red Love (translated from the German) by Max somebody

Also check out the Mass Observation anthologies.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am excited to get stuck in!

Wild Swans by Jung Chang - I loved this

I recently read ‘The Island Of Sea Women’ by Lisa See.
Fascinating story with characters that are Haenyo women in an island in what is now South Korea. Tells the story through history, including the Second World War and Japan’s and the USA’s involvement in that country.
Brilliant book.

Haenyo women are the women who free dive for seafood to feed their families. It’s a matriarchal society.

Wow, thank you Nuffaluff that sounds fascinating. Another one on my list!