Meme time:

-Choose a book genre
-Choose five books from that genre
-Tell me why I should read them.

Nice'n simple. I pick history:

1. An Utterly Impartial History of Britain (or 2000 years of Upper Class Idiots in charge)--John O'Farrell

( Everyone should know at least the basics of the history of these islands )


2. The Glorious Revolution (1688--Britain's Fight for Liberty)--Edward Vallance

Pop quiz: When was Britain last successfully invaded?
( Well, have a guess. The late 17thC is )
a crucial phase in British history, and this is an excellent primer into it.

3. Battle Cry of Freedom (The American Civil War) James M. McPherson

( knowing how America came to be the way it is is essential for everyone )
.

4. The long 19th century--Eric Hobsbawm

( The modern world was created by the 19th Century, economically, socially and politically. Understanding it is probably a good thing. )


5. John Stuart Mill (Victorian Firebrand)--Richard Reeves

( If you already think you're a liberal, you ought to have read this book. If you don't think you're a liberal, you should read this anyway )

OK, that was longer than I expected it to be. ginasketch's meme got me geeking about both books and history. Which has got me writing properly again. I'll try to keep it up. Guess I'd better cut the bulk of the text then...