[retired_princesspouty]

God's War is still on my list (Crusades) as I re-read Thomas Asbridge's The First Crusade just before Christmas and it whetted my appetite again.

[retired_xs2khizar]

Huh huh, alilaw said 'beaver'.

What's so great about Edward the third then, Retro?

[retired_jabda]

Originally posted by AndyPolack:
I wouldn't mind reading a history book, i know nothing about the subject so what would be a good starting point, as early back as you like really.

You must have some idea on a Century at least. Most people like the 20th as we can imagine ourselves taking part better.

[retired_shelly1969]

When were the Crusades in relation to the forming of Europe?

[retired_jabda]

1090s to 1300 or so. Pope wanted Holy Land back. He sent the Princes of Europe to do it. Sometimes well, sometimes shambolically.

[retired_bigsean999]

I really enjoy reading about history and stuff, I find that I'm on wikipedia reading about something then I'll get a link to something else and I'll go off reading that and I'll be on it for hours.

Obviously wikipedia isn't a book but still, It's cool.

[retired_princesspouty]

Originally posted by nerf:
Huh huh, alilaw said 'beaver'.

What's so great about Edward the third then, Retro?

He started in a weak position, grew to be the most famous warrior in Europe, made England the most revered military power in Europe, the father of the Commons, the father of the English (as we now know them) - he stood in the frontline in battles on foot, he kicked ass wherever he went - utterly courageous, the epitome of chivalry. The model for all Kings who followed him in England and Western Europe.

And that's only the half of it! :thup:

[retired_princesspouty]

Originally posted by AndyPolack:
When were the Crusades in relation to the forming of Europe?

Well, they're kind of "part of it". After the forming of social groups but before nationalism really took hold.

[retired_suppamom]

WW2 stuff:

Stalingrad, Berlin and the Spanish Civil War by Antony Beevor.
Enemy At the Gates by William Craig
Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland by Helmut Spaeter
Panzer Leader by Heinz Guderian
Lost Victories by Erich von Manstein
Hitler's Pope by John Cornwell
Knights Cross by David Fraser
The Black Angels by Rupert Butler
Men of Steel by Michael Reynolds
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer

More to come when I feel like it.

PS - Stephen Ambrose books make baby jesus cry.

[retired_ecmoore]

Originally posted by finneys13:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by AndyPolack:
I wouldn't mind reading a history book, i know nothing about the subject so what would be a good starting point, as early back as you like really.

You must have some idea on a Century at least. Most people like the 20th as we can imagine ourselves taking part better. </BLOCKQUOTE>

well i liked simon schama's "a history of britain" its fairly easy reading and goes into some detail for every century.

you'll probably find a period that interests you in that.