This one's for the history buffs

[Jin]

So, for those who enjoy studying history, particularily military and political history, what time period peaks your interest the most?

For myself, it's currently the Napoleonic era (and I include the French revolution when I say that). So much changed for Europe in that time and Napoleon was truly a god (A gay one with Alexander!).

My previous obsessions have included ancient times, mideval warfare and the early 20th century to world war I, in that order.

Your turn.

[Rydia Lover]

the first crusades with the conflict between the cristians and the muslims with the war over jerusalum. when i saw the movie kingdom of heaven, i was just waiting for them to make a sequel, but they never did

o well

i also really liked the civil war era, my favorate general was thomas "stone wall" jackson. most historians believed that if he wasnt shot by his own troops, the south would have won the war, and our goverment would be different to this day!

[James D.]

Ill probably focus on Ancient Greece and Rome when I go into my Masters degree, so Ill go with that. The Reformation has its fun moments, and Napoleon is really good for a laugh.

For the most part, American History is boring to me.

[Chez Daja]

Interesting subject.

I find all points and countires in history fun or interesitng in one way or another. But Ancient Egyptian times, Ancient Greece and Rome definatel spark the most interest for me.

Although a greal deal is still to be discovered for ancient Egypt, I absolutely love ancient Eastern culture.

I guess I like a lot of history. *shrug*

I can't really say much more than that.

[Akira]

I personally have quite a few focal points that peak my interest, in terms of historical interest. Then again, I'm a person that likes most elements of history and therefore makes the reason why my interests tend to be historical in origin quite apparent.

I greatly love the history of the Mediterranean cultures of Greece and Rome. Be it the unification of Greece under Agamemnon, the warring of the Greek city-states, the romanization of the Mediterranean, or the northern expansion of Rome, I love it all.

Another great interest of mine is the immediate time before, during, and after Feudal Japan. I particularly like to observe the trend of Japan from an isolated island nation with a distinct culture to a quickly industrialising war nation with western influences.

I also like the Napoleonic era but I tend to follow the background of Prussia during this time more than France's or England's.

World War I is one of greatest interests at all since it is the turning point of warfare tactics from the old (the ones which existed since basically the official warring between nations) to the new modern ones we know today. What is also greatly interesting in this period is the delicate system of diplomacy which essentially led to the war in the first place. It also marks the start of Communism which would later help to spark both the second World War and the Cold War.

World War II is equally as interesting as WWI because not only were the modern war tactics already in place but they were greaty fine-tuned and perfected to lead to the greatest war in the history of mankind. The void that this war left would later determine the global situation.

The Cold War was most likely the closest humanity was ever to destroying the world completely. The delicacy of world politics during this era would just like every other war lead to later conflicts, in this case the middle eastern conflicts, the problems in Asia and Africa, etc.

[Setzer]

Well lots of times peak my interest. I enjoy especially when Greece was the focal point of the world. So much happened and so much progressed then.

I enjoy pretty much anything European since...well so much history comes from over there. I love alot of it, all I know is American history doesn't compare.

[rJ floW]

I'm gonna have to say the war of 1812...

although im Canadian, i still find the civil war as the most entertaining of conflicts.

the fact that Nativism was first challenged in the relatively "unabated" America's was an important aspect of the growth of true nationalism, kept me interested int he further molding of the America's. Not many know of the literary references conceptualizing the subject of "native americans" in "The Last of the Mohicans", yet as one would read, the overall theme, realistically, is the Nativism of America.

Another aspect of the civil war that intrigued me was that of "slavery". Through the readings of Fredrick Douglas in his autobiography, I've learned about the atocities of slavery and the overall ideologies of slaves and the "empowerment" that knowledge lends to the "unknowledged"

If you want to know more, read the autobiography of fredrick douglas...or furhter your education with more than forum posts, meaning university lectures and dont **** around with your future by posting on meaningless boards where 1/5 of the poeple MAY know ANYTHING they are talking about.

[Malahk Musashi]

Greek military history really interests me, particularly Sparta, and how they strove so hard for perfection. According to one of my history teachers back in High School told us of how disfigured and/or unsatisfactory children were launched off of cliffs onto sharp rocks below... sickening yet fascinating.