Bookclub Wednesday!

Submitted by AutoModerator t3_z8pozv in history

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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AccoSpoot t1_iycq8l8 wrote

Any analysis of the Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins from a criminal behavioural perspective? Thanks!

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yeswayvouvray t1_iycxgzb wrote

Recs for books on semi-obscure history, please?Bonus points if it will appeal to a well-read guy in his 60’s.

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BirthdayOdd2092 t1_iyczr82 wrote

Any good books about the Balkan wars? I've read a couple but would really like a comprehensive read or maybe even a memoir of someone living through it.

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RFSimpson t1_iydu58s wrote

Does anyone know of any books about the story behind 'The Burghers of Calais'?

In other words, the six men who sacrificed themselves to help end The Hundred Years war, not the statue itself?

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dropbear123 t1_iye6e55 wrote

Finished The Last Corsair: The Story of the Emden by Dan van der Dat

>3.5/5 being generous I'm rounding up for goodreads.

>Not that much to say about it. Just under 200 pages. An old blow by blow story of the German cruiser Emden's commerce raiding in the Indian Ocean during the early months of WWI as well as the story of the crew after the Emden was defeated. Decently well written and enjoyable to read. Overall I'd say it is worth a read if you are interested in naval history or WWI outside Europe.

On kindle I'm still reading The Western Front: A History of the Great War, 1914-1918 by Nick Lloyd which I am really enjoying but only reading a little bit a day (20% done). For physical books I've switched away from WWI for a week or two to British crime and punishment or law and order history.

Finished Execution: A History of Capital Punishment in Britain by Simon Webb

>3.5/5 rounding up for goodreads. Worth reading if you want a quick book about historical law and order.

>Well written and enjoyable to read despite the subject. Very short at 160 pages, and the bibliography is only 1 page. Each chapter covers a different kind of execution including the main ones, beheadings and hangings (there are several chapters on the different types of hanging) as well as the more unusual ones like boiling or crushing. There is also a chapter on things that weren't intended to kill but could be deadly, like the stocks and pillories or flogging. And a final chapter on the decline and abolition of the death penalty plus a short extra biographical section of all the main executioners/hangmen. Lots of interesting info and trivia despite the short length as the crimes of the executed are also mentioned.

Gave up on Murderous Tyneside: The Executed of the Twentieth Century by John J. Eddleston as while the stories are told in a matter of fact way it was just a boring read and as someone not normally into true crime stories I felt like I wasn't remembering anything from it.

Now reading Witchfinders: A Seventeenth Century English Tragedy by Malcom Gaskill. Focused on Essex around 1645. Enjoying it so far.

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VegetableSignal9811 t1_iyezmap wrote

I've got a bunch of books on Modern Chinese History, but I don't really know if I'm missing anything crucial. I've Jung Chang's Mao and her other book on the three sisters. I've got Frank Dikkoter's trilogy along with his new book "China after Mao". I've got "Imperial Twilight" and the Spring and Autumn book the same writer made. "Empress Dowager Cixi" is in my collection along with "The Generalissimo". What am I missing?

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