Hi everybody,

Welcome to our weekly book recommendation thread!

We have found that a lot of people come to this sub to ask for books about history or sources on certain topics. Others make posts about a book they themselves have read and want to share their thoughts about it with the rest of the sub.

We thought it would be a good idea to try and bundle these posts together a bit. One big weekly post where everybody can ask for books or (re)sources on any historic subject or timeperiod, or to share books they recently discovered or read. Giving opinions or asking about their factuality is encouraged!

Of course it’s not limited to *just* books; podcasts, videos, etc. are also welcome. As a reminder, r/history also has a recommended list of things to [read, listen to or watch](https://www.reddit.com/r/history/wiki/recommendedlist)

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rollobolo t1_jbf920m wrote on March 8, 2023 at 5:01 PM

Happy Wednesday! Just read Ross King's, The Bookseller of Florence: Vespasiano da Bisticci and the Manuscripts that illuminated the Renaissance. Picked it up in an airport kiosk and was hooked. Pitched perfectly in the sweet spot between deep scholarly work and pop history (IMHO). For anyone who loves books about books.

elmonoenano t1_jbfdkna wrote on March 8, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Here's a good book talk with him from the Free Library of Philadelphia.

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/podcast/episode/2003

rollobolo t1_jbfdzb8 wrote on March 8, 2023 at 5:32 PM

Thanks!

Stalins_Moustachio t1_jbj4ngk wrote on March 9, 2023 at 12:38 PM

Thanks for the recommendation, definitely checking it out!

Who_dat604 t1_jbfljkt wrote on March 8, 2023 at 6:20 PM

The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific It about the mutiny of the hms bounty and the story of pitcarin Island

River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon Book by Buddy Levy

An account of orellanas journey down the Amazon the people and cheifdoms they encounter

DominikFisara t1_jblk6yo wrote on March 9, 2023 at 10:21 PM

How was the book on Orellana? I’m interested in learning about his expedition

Who_dat604 t1_jblv5mc wrote on March 9, 2023 at 11:38 PM

It was really interesting not dry at all and if you like the book you should check out his other one "Conquistadors" by buddy levy

dropbear123 t1_jbfx2ze wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:33 PM

Finished one book a few days ago Shots From The Front: The British Soldier 1914-18 by Richard Holmes

>3/5

>Covers all the main information about the tactics and life of British soldiers during the First World War combined with lots of pictures. Good mix of areas, not just the Western Front. The photos are also good quality in the hardback version I read plus there is a lot of commentary (what it shows, whether it was staged or genuine, when it was probably taken) etc and links in the text to the photos, rather than the photos just being completely random. Of the photos my favourite is probably number 47 which shows a woman from the Women's Royal Naval Service training the soldiers on how to use the gas masks. The writing was fine but for me personally I felt there was a little bit too much on regiments and uniform details, but it is a rather short book so it didn't drag too much.

>While the book was fine and I would recommend it if you can find or see a cheap copy I was also sort of disappointed with it. I've read a quite a few of Holmes' books and really enjoyed them all (in particular 'Tommy' which is a lot more in-depth about the WWI British soldiers, 'Redcoat' about the 18th and 19th century soldiers and 'Sahib' about British soldiers in India up to WWI) but this one just didn't work as well for me and I can't really say why.

Stalins_Moustachio t1_jbf5g4c wrote on March 8, 2023 at 4:38 PM

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I just wrapped up James Deschuk's [Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Indigenous Life](http://Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Indigenous Life https://a.co/d/b8GzQ3M) and it was well worth the read. The book covers Canada's troubled past with its various indigenous peoples, and the policies and factors that contributed to their suffering.

Gullible_Reporter_46 t1_jbgnfar wrote on March 8, 2023 at 10:19 PM

Does anyone know a good site for fair-use or public domain historical footage (newsreels, documentaries, etc)? I’m currently doing a research project on school desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s, but I’m having a hell of a time with finding videos that aren’t watermarked or copyrighted (I’m working with a $0 budget.)

I’ve looked at archive.org and the National Archives so far, but haven’t really come up with much in the way of publicly available footage from those sites (and some of the videos on the latter are still closed to researchers).

Stalins_Moustachio t1_jbj4ig3 wrote on March 9, 2023 at 12:36 PM

You may want to reach out to a local library. They may help out with the answer and better direct you to a digital archive.

elmonoenano t1_jbk9lat wrote on March 9, 2023 at 5:27 PM

I would check out the Digital Public Library of America: https://dp.la/

Although, I would assume their licensing agreement says you can use it if you leave the water marks on.

The other thing I would check would be various state's historical societies. Mine has a big digital collection. But, once again, I'm pretty sure they allow use of it for certain things but you have to keep the water mark and credit them.

I'm not sure how much stuff they have online, but there's also the National Television and Radio Museum. https://ncrtv.org/

Rawrkinss t1_jbm669v wrote on March 10, 2023 at 12:59 AM

I’m working my way through the presidents. Finished Chernow’s Washington and McCullough’s John Adams. For Jefferson I’m thinking either Boles or Meacham, and didn’t know if anyone here has a strong feeling on either one. Thanks!

TaunayAH t1_jbei7m2 wrote on March 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Any books on medieval Portugal? Like before the Age of Discoveries?

Stalins_Moustachio t1_jbf69kc wrote on March 8, 2023 at 4:43 PM

Hey there, the closest I can think of would be A.R. Disney's A History of Portugal and the Portugese Empire. I know ot doesn't solely cover the medieval period, but what overlap exists is great. If you are into Andalusian history writ large, check out the works of Dr. Brian Catlos.

ZiggySTRDST t1_jbfw30p wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:27 PM

I want to read a book on Arthur Wellesley and I’m trying to decide between Elizabeth Langford’s Years of the Sword/Pillar of State and Richard Holmes Wellington: The Iron Duke. Just wondering which people here would recommend?

Stalins_Moustachio t1_jbfxt7q wrote on March 8, 2023 at 7:38 PM

I've heard nothing but praise for the second book! Haven't read it myself (yet).

ZiggySTRDST t1_jbg7y0a wrote on March 8, 2023 at 8:41 PM

Same. Also has the advantage of still being in print.

Milo_Murphey t1_jblp5ej wrote on March 9, 2023 at 10:55 PM

Does anyone have a good book about Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart?

Lord-Herek t1_jc1whk2 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 1:18 PM

Any good books about sea trade (around 14th - 18th century)?

I'm particularly interested about how sea trade worked, what goods were shipped, how much and where and why, commerce, trade routes, basically more focus on the business side of it.

Possibly if it had maps and charts and tables with goods and their prices during that time, etc. Something like the book Transformations in Slavery but about sea trade.

I'm not looking for books that focus solely on piracy and pirate life.

That_One_Guy376 t1_jc9d0ti wrote on March 15, 2023 at 5:44 AM

I know I’m a bit late, but does anyone know any good books about the German Colonial Empire?