History books

[Nicpak]

Hi!
I'm looking for a bit of advice on research... I am currently in the midst of planning a 2 month trip for this summer (my current favorite procrastination tool... sure beats studying ). Last time I traveled the continent, it was a whiz-bang whirl of insanity - 7 countries, 17 days - but this go-round I'd like a bit different experience.

Part of what frustrated me last trip is that I would see monuments and the like that I intuitively knew had significance, but I had no clue as to what that was. So, since I have a couple months before departure (June 3rd - yay!), I'd like to make up some of those history lessons that didn't quite make it into however many years of school I'm about to finish.

After all that, my question is: does anyone have any history books that they liked enough to recommend, especially for the southern part of the continent? Usually textbooks send me straight to sleep, so the less dry/ easy-to-read, the better... ;D

Thanks a ton!
~Nicole

[Kim]

Hi Nicole,

Could you tell us where exactly you are planning on going? Might be a bit easier this way.

I think this is going to be a good question for dustoffmom-keep checking back, hopefully she can help you out with this one!

Kim

[Nicpak]

Hi Kim,

Right now the "vague" plan includes:
Fly into Frankfurt (visit friends and former host family)
Paris
Madrid
Barcelona
Switzerland (Gryon)
Cinque Terra
Rome
Venice
Slovenia (family ties)
Austria, probably Salzburg or Vienna
Prague
Germany, still deciding exactly where, pending the whereabouts of other family and friends...

Germany, Italy, and Spain is where the bulk of my time will be spent, so I'd like to concentrate my energies there. German history I feel fairly familiar with after a few years of studying German language, but not so much with Italy and Spain, thus I'm lookin to brush up.

Does that help clarify a bit?

Thanks again!
~Nicole

[LHR02]

Hi Nic.....
History just 'in general' or do your interests lie in a paricular era? WWII, 18th century, renaissance? Non-fiction, historical fiction, biography? I can say right now I have had no particular interest in Spain so won't have many suggestions there, but maybe Italy and Germany....too bad UK is not on your list! Have loads in every catagory there! ;D

ging
great question BTW!

DON'T overlook Florence!

[Nicpak]

Hi Ging,

I'm looking for anything and everything... it's all part of what shaped the world into what it is now. I would probably lean towards hist. fiction or biographies, since the life stories - true or not - are usually what creates the most engaging and lasting impressions for me.

Thanks!
~Nicole

PS I'm still on the fence about Florence... it was definitely less than fun the last time I was there, but that was primarily due to my travel partner being a major idiot than the city itself. So, half of me wants to return to give the city a 2nd chance, and the other half isn't exactly eager to repeat any of that leg of the trip... I figure we'll decide on the fly.

[nitsansh]

My experience taught me that no history book is as good as seeing it yourself... sort-of one sight equal 1000 history-book pages...
Good guide books should have introductory section which has info on the country or region they deal with... I found that sufficient on most occasions... when you visit historic sights, take the time to read the leaflets and the plaques, that tell you about that place history... any major city usually has a historical museum, which is worth seeing...