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/lit/ - Literature

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1885970 No.1885970 [Reply] [Original]

Hello, /lit/! I wish to expand my historical knowledge, which currently is quite abysmal. I am already some-what well versed in the history of philosophy, but when it comes to the overall world I am an embarrassment.


So, my question is: does lit know of any good book that will give me an overview of world history?

>> No.1885985
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1885985

>> No.1886032

>>1885985
I second Spengler

>> No.1886044

Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

Those who do study history will just be forced to find new ways to fuck up.

>> No.1886052

I'm reading the new penguin history of the world by a j p taylor. It's fantastic.

>> No.1886078

Why did we stop mixing sex with war?

Man, we're getting lamer as we go.

>> No.1886083
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1886083

>>1886044
Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

And if we choose not to study history, then can we perhaps take an easier course, such as Spanish?

>> No.1886088

>>1886078
lol if you think that ever stopped being a thing

>> No.1886098

>>1886083

HAYO!

>> No.1886102

>>1885970
Old man feeling up an Athenian boy. Nice touch.

>> No.1886112

>>1886088

Look at the last two panels though! None!

>> No.1886115

>>1886112
feminism ruined it. damn cunts.

>> No.1886405
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1886405

>> No.1886426

World history is a lot to take in in one book.

Try - The Peoples History of the World by Chris Harman. It's a nice easy start. If you want more specific/get interested in one period or culture post again and I can normally recommend something good for all except Chinese history, on which I am somewhat of a noob.

>> No.1886441

>history of philosophy

Why not learn some philosophy of history too? Look into epistemology and its relation to the study of history before embarking on any study of history.

Also, any book that claims to give you a comprehensive history of the world is lying and only scratches the surface of things and is probably just akin to memorising a string of dates without actually immersing yourself fully in the social, cultural, political, religious and other conditions which predicated, caused or influenced certain events.

I believe that a true general knowledge of history really can only come from studying different eras and kinds of history over a substantial period of time. So if you have a particular area in which you're looking to expand your knowledge, I'd recommend posting that up so that people who specialise in it can give you some specific recommendations. Through learning about one country, for example, you'll learn about its interaction with other states throughout time, and by extension, you'll pick up a lot of general historical knowledge. Personally, I study mostly post-WWII European history with a concentration on Britain but I also spent a while studying the history of the civil rights movements of African Americans, Native Americans and workers and women in America so I could throw some solid suggestions with regards to that.

>> No.1887028

bump

>> No.1887044

Glimpses of World History by Jawaharlal Nehru.
This might make you less keen on it but its especially revered because of it's non western take on world history, in it he goes into stuff like the downplaying of historical figures like Genghis Khan and how they're overshadowed by western figures like Alexander despite their actual achievements.