So...who here likes History? [Archive]

Selly

09-21-2007, 08:56 PM

I like History!

I am especially fond of European History (Otto von Bismarck fan and loving it). Unfortunately, classes get in the way of my out of class reading, and I haven't read anything history-related in forever....

Tarrick

09-21-2007, 09:15 PM

I really like history as well. I try to read up on it when possible, but I too get waylaid by "necessary" things. I also like reading about some of the myths too.

Quick! Who can tell me the name of the Sword in the Stone from Arthurian legend? And no, it wasn't Excalibur. Excalibur was the sword from the Lady in the Lake.

Jezebel

09-21-2007, 09:16 PM

My favorite is ancient history. Especially egyptian, greek, roman, and prehistoric history, though I like all ancient history to an extent. I think I'm drawn toward the novelty in how differently they did things and seeing the roots of things we still do.

Cato the Younger

09-22-2007, 02:54 AM

Tarrick

09-22-2007, 05:02 AM

Cato, you get a cookie. Yes it was Caliburn.

As for the original name...oh well.

Rei

09-23-2007, 01:27 AM

WHOOT!
HISTORY!!!

History is my secret, guilty pleasure (considering I study science... and... science and arts aren't supposed to mix unless you are a very lost soul)

I naturally gravitate towards any history earlier than around the 16th century. (minus Egyptian, even though they are extremely interesting, mummies freak me out) Anything dated after that is more of an interest in anthropology.

Recently picked up a book on great... failures in battle throughout history. It's rather amusing

Cato the Younger

09-23-2007, 02:14 AM

Rei

09-23-2007, 02:41 AM

I think the reason science majors can appreciate History is because it's more fact based than the other arts.

That's probably true. It is also based on a lot of evidence gathering and proofs. The mystery and yet, the huge stash of information really gets me.
Then again, initially I was facinated by the cultural/development of peoples. Though I guess that starts to become anthro more than history.

Anyway, I'm only in science because my career of choice, based on a long time passion requires science. That and my mother still has me at her command =/

Tarrick

09-23-2007, 03:25 AM

WHOOT!
HISTORY!!!

History is my secret, guilty pleasure

Guilty pleasure? What kind of history do you read? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm? Heh.
And yeah, learning out things were done in the past is very interesting. Once you understand how people did the sort of things that they did with what they had gives you a much greater appreciation for how we live now.

Cato the Younger

09-23-2007, 03:28 AM

My personal favorite is Military History. I love strategy and reading about it. Also, most video games I play are either Strategy games (Rome: Total War) or First Person Shooters.

radioactivez0r

09-23-2007, 04:35 AM

The Rose

09-23-2007, 03:26 PM

Are there any history buffs here? *I personally love military history. *What do you guys like?I always disliked History in school.
History is a very "SJ" thing, I have learned,
but a few years ago, I got a job doing historical research and I loved it!
It was kind of like detective work, so I think that's why I liked it, but I think now that I'm older,
I am able to like history better.
I learned a lot about the Civil War and really enjoyed it.

Rei

09-23-2007, 08:11 PM

The period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance captures my attention the most, because it's basically skipped over in school. *I also enjoy reading about various ancient cultures - the obvious ones such as the Romans and the Egyptians, but also the Persians, Sumeria, Mesopotamia, and the Celts. *I've got both Viking and Celt blood in me, so both (the history as well as the mythology) fascinate me.

I've always been facinated by this period. But it wasn't until I took a course "World History before 16th C. " that got me obsessed. I now at least, pick up, every book I see related to this in the book store. Consequently, I've been called a history dork :thinking:

Cato the Younger

09-23-2007, 10:18 PM

The period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance captures my attention the most, because it's basically skipped over in school. I also enjoy reading about various ancient cultures - the obvious ones such as the Romans and the Egyptians, but also the Persians, Sumeria, Mesopotamia, and the Celts. I've got both Viking and Celt blood in me, so both (the history as well as the mythology) fascinate me.

I've always been facinated by this period. But it wasn't until I took a course "World History before 16th C. " that got me obsessed. I now at least, pick up, every book I see related to this in the book store. Consequently, I've been called a history dork :thinking:

Being a History buff runs in my family. My dad's a big history buff, my brother is a history buff, and my sister was an anthropology major.

Rei

09-23-2007, 10:27 PM

Hm... My dad likes military history. My mother is interested in reading up on major historical events... but no one in my family is obsessed like I am...

I really don't know where it came from.

Cato the Younger

09-23-2007, 11:04 PM

Hm... My dad likes military history. My mother is interested in reading up on major historical events... but no one in my family is obsessed like I am...

I really don't know where it came from.

Your mother took drugs while she was pregnant with you. :thumbsup:

Rei

09-23-2007, 11:26 PM

Hm... My dad likes military history. *My mother is interested in reading up on major historical events... but no one in my family is obsessed like I am...

I really don't know where it came from.

Your mother took drugs while she was pregnant with you. :thumbsup:

Could be, could be...
probably took drugs while she was pregnant with my sister too... cuz she's wierd too perhaps different drugs because she's wierd in another way. ;D

Celldweller

09-24-2007, 07:57 PM

History in general is a wonderful thing, but I find religious history to be my favorite as well as the entire history of Russia.

mikey

09-30-2007, 03:29 AM

I absolutely adore military history. When I'm reading something not concerning this genre I find myself getting bored. Same goes for games. My favorite tends to be WW2 European theatre, though any conflict history will keep me enthralled until I've memorized it inside out.

Frank

10-01-2007, 03:05 AM

Me to brotha

I like all kinds. Political, military, Greece, China, Japan, Cold War, etc.

Jbmontag

10-01-2007, 12:59 PM

Yeah, it doesn't really matter what type of history it is I'll take it. It's like reading a great book that just keeps going. The only thing that bugs me about dying is not seeing how it ends.

Doppelbock

10-01-2007, 01:14 PM

History is teh kewlness. Military history is good, especially WWII and uber-especially WWII aviation (I just LOVE the B-17 and B-24). Also a big fan of historical biographies, e.g., of Ben Franklin. Also very interested in pre-Columbus Native American cultures like the Adena and Hopewell (although technically this counts as pre-history, not history) and the early history (and pre-history) of the British Isles, in particular Wales.

Wonder why there are so many INTJ history buffs if we're supposed to be future oriented and forward looking.

DB

INTJohn

10-06-2007, 11:53 AM

All history is military.........nothing has influened the evolution of Humanity more then "war" - it is fundamental to Life and its Evolutionary process.

INTJohn

OneBadMother

10-07-2007, 03:06 PM

I prefer ancient history to any other type. It's interesting to see how different the world of, let's say, the Athenians was from ours and how similar it was at the same time. Also, I hate memorizing dates. <_<

Rei

10-07-2007, 03:20 PM

Hum... seems like a lot of people around here have an interest in military history. *I was hoping someone could give me some advice regarding essay topics.

I'm currently taking a course on the history of the British Isle, and I am required to write an essay. *I'm having a hugely difficult time deciding between the suggested topic (mainly because they all seem interesting and I can't decide which to pick up and research). *Two of the suggested topics involves some military history.

One of them is about the effect of large cannons (like the Mons Meg) in 15th century military practise, and another is about the significance of the Battle at Agincourt. *I was wondering if these topics have enough interesting "information" - for a lack of a better word - to be worth writing about.

I'll be looking into them a little later anyway, but I thought it'd be a good idea to get some advice from people more avid on the military perspective.

jeffersonian

10-08-2007, 02:11 PM

History is the ultimate distraction for me. I never feel like I've read enough.

My personal favorite is 18th century American history.

generalowk

10-09-2007, 11:49 PM

I have a minor in History. When I was younger, I specialized in WWII Pacific Theater. I keep trying to expand my reading of history. Lately, I've been into the American War for Independence. Lots of great books out recently: 1776, Ben Franklin and George Washington bios, etc.

Harman

10-10-2007, 02:09 AM

Although my parents want me to go for science, I personally prefer history.fixed coding

Rich

10-12-2007, 12:08 AM

I enjoy history as well. Specifically Ancient Rome, WW2, Polish, Russian, and military history in general.

Rei

10-17-2007, 07:24 PM

I love all the detective work involved in the study of history. The detective work without the pressure of having to be definite in your guesses. How you can just keep researching and collecting more and more clues.

Wow, I really sounded like an INTP there...

But unfortunately I've found that studying history for marks is not fun. Having to study history with a time restriction is the most horrible thing I have ever done to myself.

deicruxified

10-18-2007, 06:14 AM

Are there any history buffs here? *I personally love military history. *What do you guys like?
stuff i love in history:

1. samurai's and ninja's
2. ch'in, sung, ming dynasty
3. christian inquisitions
4. world war 1-2
5. industrial revolution
6. vietnam war

logan235711

10-20-2007, 05:59 AM

I used to be really turned off by history, but overtime I sort-of found my own appreciation for it and really enjoy learning history related things when they come my way. I do admit that I have more of an interest in 'philosophy of history' than historical facts on their own. I'm not sure if I'm really biased towards one area of history--I think I would enjoy taking any history class.

anara

10-24-2007, 01:34 AM

I love the History channel. Just the other night I was learning about an ancient female pharaoh whom they had to find her coffin and apply science to discover why she was erased from history. I like to read about horrific historical events like hiroshima, tiananmen square, and the like. I am very much interested in things like "the history of the ghetto". i'm reading a book called "the other america" which is about the american ghetto and how it was designed and created and WHY. i also like studying the dinosaurs. the labrea tar pits is heaven to me!

xtremegeek

10-24-2007, 09:48 PM

Hmmm...sounds like the best places for me to find an INTJ guy are:
1. History section of the library
2. History museums
3. History section of Borders Books
4. Run an ad on the History channel
5. Electronics section of Best Buy (in case all the history spots fail to produce an INTJ)

10-25-2007, 08:29 PM

Rei

10-25-2007, 10:00 PM

I love history. Mainly roman history as well european history. But I give more preference to any topic history that deals with a major war. My favorite subject of all time is the Ottoman Empire takeover of Constantinople. It's just incredible.

Yeah all the major conquering campaigns are very interesting. All the consequences of these things are always intriguing to research.

Bossy Mom

10-27-2007, 11:41 AM

I love history, especially English history. When my daughter and I went to England, we couldn't get enough of it. We watch movies about English history, like "Elizabeth" and "A Man for All Seasons." When I was a teenager, I loved Thomas B. Costain's histories, like "The Last Plantagenets." Mr. Costain made history come alive for me. I live in San Diego, which has a history, but it is short and not that interesting (although it is beautiful but perilous to live in - we were lucky enough not to be evacuated during the fires - again). My ancestors fought beside George Washington and my father was in the Pacific in WWII, and I am very proud to be an American, but English history has so many examples of honor and integrity, and also dishonor and shame. England has the most colorful history and characters in the world.

thegnat

10-27-2007, 01:20 PM

I *like* it. Was never a huge fan of US history.

I like European history though. I just don't have time to read up on it. I prefer non-military history.

Santana28

11-01-2007, 01:39 PM

Yay for History! I'm the geek who actually took my history textbook home and read it from end to end during my school years. I'd read it during my other classes. I absolutely LOVE history.

I've always been a big Military history buff. Some periods in history don't fascinate me... others i am completely enamored with. My primary focus is Nazi Germany/WWII history. People think i AM a Nazi considering how much i read about it! Its really difficult explaining that just because i read so much about something, i am not endorsing it. Sigh. Anyhow... i grew up next to a large Air Force base and consequently i have a passion for all things that fly, and military aviation in general. I love studying airplanes and i was convinced my whole life that i would become a fighter pilot some day.

If i lived out my fantasies i would have went to West Point or the Naval Academy, been a pilot for the military, and then retired as a military historian or professor. Oh well :)

rocksteady

11-19-2007, 01:52 AM

I enjoy ancient history, cultures/societies completely different from our own (Greeks, Egyptians, Mayans etc.) I suppose I just like speculating about things that no one can ever prove :)

cielo market

11-25-2007, 05:39 PM

I *like* it. Was never a huge fan of US history.

I like European history though. I just don't have time to read up on it. I prefer non-military history.

I feel the same way. I dunno, US History seems to lack the tenure that makes European history so interesting. Plus, US history can only go back some 200 odd years. Compare that to the millennia's worth of others.

Wildflower

11-25-2007, 07:42 PM

I majored in History in college. My favorite time period is early modern 1500-1850, Europe and the Americas. Prefer historical philosopy and social history. I enjoy historical literature too.

GOD

11-25-2007, 07:54 PM

I like pre Roman history in Europe. But there's little of it about.

There's 25k years + not covered much at all.

athenian200

11-25-2007, 10:08 PM

Well, I like several kinds for several reasons.

1. Classical antiquity -- gives an insight into and context for their philosophies.

2. European history -- Tells how people emerged from the Dark ages of ignorance back into the light (well, some of them, anyway). Also, the reason for studying classical history.

3. American history -- Explains many of the dynamics behind current events, as well as many American cultural attitudes.

4. Alternative histories -- Gives a glimpse into how things might have developed if one major event in history had changed.

rocksteady

11-26-2007, 11:13 PM

how do you guys feel about fringe history like Graham Hancock and such? I've read some of his stuff and a lot of it is thin speculation and finding patterns where they probably don't exist, but he does a lot to expose many historians as very resistant to changing their own ideas given new information. I speculate that most historians are hard wired not to freely accept new information, and are much more comfortable reciting rhetoric then worrying about relearning everything they thought they knew.

link: Fingerprints of the gods (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

EvilRobotDrew

11-27-2007, 05:01 PM

i am currently majoring in History, my main area of focus is 19th Century Europe. I think that my fascination stems from the fact that History is one of those subjects were there is no concrete answer, any consensus of opinion is the result of years of bitter debate, and even then there are always people who wold argue the opposite of whatever everyone else thinks. When i was in elementry and middle school i enjoied history, but it wasn't untill highschool when i learned that i could argue with my teachers, that i really began to love the subject.

Henry

12-03-2007, 04:08 AM

My personal favorite is Military History. I love strategy and reading about it. Also, most video games I play are either Strategy games (Rome: Total War) or First Person Shooters.

Try the games on To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Wonderful games for the INTJ, and forum is made up of approxiamtely 80% NT.

Quite Robert

12-08-2007, 07:28 PM

LOL, I am getting my B.A. in History in a week. Though I have opted to go to buisness school in the Spring.

december

03-28-2008, 08:47 PM

I like ancient history, history on any of the European monarchies, the Italian renaissance, Civil war history, Native American History, Aztecs, Incas, ect. I love history in general.

TheLastMohican

03-28-2008, 08:56 PM

I am yet another military history buff. I excel in Civil War generals, and I like to imagine how battles could have played out differently.

What If? is a great book for historical speculation, by the way.

I will enjoy just about any history. It's all fascinating, and I can't pick a definite favorite part.

eternaltriangle

03-28-2008, 10:55 PM

I love history - the war of 1812 and Napoleonic wars were the first things to interest me. I generally like the period from about 1494-the present. Why 1494? The Italian wars, and, thereafter, the rise of something like modern states.

Like a previous poster, however, I always disliked the SJ-ness of history, especially as it is often taught in high schools (a series of fun-facts). I prefer to explain history, in ways that most historians dislike, since I look for generalizable models as a political scientist (I mostly study international relations, and we IR folks cover a good range of stuff). I quite enjoyed writing a book chapter on preventive war (Dale Copeland has an argument that all major wars are preventive wars - I disagreed, and put forth an argument with some pretty regressions).

meanlittlechimp

03-28-2008, 11:10 PM

I like all history that includes violence, subjugation, and death.
I also like my comics books that way.

Biffys

03-28-2008, 11:39 PM

I love history, more the military history!

Opivy1980

03-29-2008, 04:26 AM

I am a History major and yes I do love military history, as well as diplomatic and political as well. My focus is on the 19th and 20th century. I want to go into politics and this makes for a very useful base without having to study charts and polls exclusively.

searcher

03-29-2008, 04:40 AM

History... I like. Especially from the 'wrong' side. You know - the 'bad' side. Hitler and co. Sure - I may not share their viewpoints but they're interesting all the same.
I'm new, by the way.

Courtney

03-29-2008, 01:38 PM

I do! I do! I love U.S history the most. I'm reading The Cold War: a History by Martin Walker right now. So good.

Motor Jax

03-29-2008, 02:22 PM

i dig WWII and Vietnam War history

but i also have a deep appreciation for all different types of history, and not just the war time history but one that encompasses all of history

since it is the history that has brought us here today

Moriarty

03-29-2008, 02:45 PM

I've been a history buff since I was about 10. I picked up an unexplainable fascination with WW2 that's still with me today. History has always been my "sure thing" playing trivial pursuit.

Antares

03-30-2008, 04:53 AM

I like all history (Greek, Roman, Chinese, European, Japanese, Korean etc) with the possible exception of American colonial to post-independence era. Too many things to memorize; not enough action (except the civil war). Mind you, I don't really want to know about how America's economy bloomed then died during the Great Depression or how cruel they were when they purged the natives from the land. I thrive on wars, conflicts, monarchy, internal crises (within the government), deception, chaos, uprisings, revolutions and political ideas. I like mythology too.

Serket

03-30-2008, 11:14 AM

I love history. I have a BA (HONS) in Egyptology, hoping one day to get a PhD on egypt.
Also interested in all history was well

Myrak

03-30-2008, 11:24 AM

I've never been able to be interested in History. It just never clicked with me as something at all practical (of course it's not irrelevant by any stretch, but to me it's never been realistically useful).

I do, however, research certain events and periods of time of my own accord (the '60s for example, highly fascinating in my eyes), but on the whole I cannot say I enjoy "History" as a subject.