I've had the historic bug for as long as I can remember. As a little kid, it was natural history (like dinosaurs). As I grew up, it moved on to Roman history, and then I got obsessed with the Byzantine Empire. And it went on. Looking back, I think it was because of all the time I was reading the Bible together with my parents and brothers. I'm pretty sure the Old Testament is my first exposure to history as an actually interesting subject rather than this boring thing that every kid seems to dread.
Oh, that's interesting. I hadn't really thought about the Bible stories being an introduction to history as well. Great observation. Oh, and come back around to Byzantine history. One day I'll have a door stop sized novel for that one. :)
Thanks for the nudge to contemplate this. Coincidentally, I was thinking just the other day about Mr. Herbert, my ninth-grade history teacher. He wasn't nearly so interesting as yours! But even in his gruffness and bland delivery, it was in his class that I became fascinated with Pompeii, the Incan Empire, and more. I believe too, that I was influenced by my father's interest in history. Even though my curiosity hadn't peeked yet, at the age of eight, I saw his fascination with Russian history, watched him take several trips there and across Europe, and heard the stories when he retuned. Come to think of it, that was probably the spark for two things: interests in history AND travel.
Oh, marvelous! Those teachers. I wonder if they ever imagine the effect they have. My father was navy but was out by the time I was 7 so he didn't travel much. But he was a walking encyclopedia and big reader. We had those National Geographics to pour over. It's amazing the things that contribute to the people we become.
Great essay and great question! History is so interesting, and everyone can find a different niche to dive deeply into--or have breadth over a wide array of time periods. There's something for everyone!
I forget when exactly I got bit by the history bug. Scoot family vacations were usually to historical sites and lived near a historical american city which was the site of a battle in the civil war. So part of it feels like it was mere immersion. My family talking about it, living near it, that stuff.
But I think history really took hold and I started diving into it myself when I started trying to understand the world and politics. I started asking questions about "how did we get here" and history kind of unfolded like a fractal in front of me. Everywhere I looked I found more and more depth.
Eventually I learned that military history was more my speed. I pursued with equal enthusiasm the Campaigns of Julius Caesar and the key battles of the civil war. Things branched out from there. I can't remember ever not being interested in history--it's so foundational to everything.
Thanks for occasioning this reflection! I hadn't thought about this in a long time!
Most definitely enough to go around! You mention growing up near a historical city - I grew up in coastal Virginia with elementary school field trips to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. I hadn't really thought about my influences going that far back. I think at that point I just took it all for granted.
It does seem that history takes a deeper hold when we begin to wonder about the larger world. Mine started in theological history and spun out to geo-politics and "everyman".
"Fractal" - that's a great image for it. Can't get enough of it now.
Ah, a fellow Virginian! I grew up in the surrounds of Fredericksburg--that's the Civil War Battle I was referring to! Virginia is probably one of the most densely-packed states for history, so no surprises that being near Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg would have seeded *the bug*!
Haha! That's perfect! I was pretty smug when I went to Univ. of TN and was able to answer all the US History questions like, duh! I learned that in 3rd grade! Hah. Oh, and then I moved to London. Oy. Smug-face gone. Heh.
Uh-oh. You're gonna out my age. LOL! I was at UTK fall of 80 thru spring of 83. I then transferred to SUNY Purchase and finally graduated from there in '86. Were you at UT???
I've had the historic bug for as long as I can remember. As a little kid, it was natural history (like dinosaurs). As I grew up, it moved on to Roman history, and then I got obsessed with the Byzantine Empire. And it went on. Looking back, I think it was because of all the time I was reading the Bible together with my parents and brothers. I'm pretty sure the Old Testament is my first exposure to history as an actually interesting subject rather than this boring thing that every kid seems to dread.
Oh, that's interesting. I hadn't really thought about the Bible stories being an introduction to history as well. Great observation. Oh, and come back around to Byzantine history. One day I'll have a door stop sized novel for that one. :)
Thanks for the nudge to contemplate this. Coincidentally, I was thinking just the other day about Mr. Herbert, my ninth-grade history teacher. He wasn't nearly so interesting as yours! But even in his gruffness and bland delivery, it was in his class that I became fascinated with Pompeii, the Incan Empire, and more. I believe too, that I was influenced by my father's interest in history. Even though my curiosity hadn't peeked yet, at the age of eight, I saw his fascination with Russian history, watched him take several trips there and across Europe, and heard the stories when he retuned. Come to think of it, that was probably the spark for two things: interests in history AND travel.
Oh, marvelous! Those teachers. I wonder if they ever imagine the effect they have. My father was navy but was out by the time I was 7 so he didn't travel much. But he was a walking encyclopedia and big reader. We had those National Geographics to pour over. It's amazing the things that contribute to the people we become.
4 September 1979. A Tuesday.
Good stuff. Come to London - see the world.
Great essay and great question! History is so interesting, and everyone can find a different niche to dive deeply into--or have breadth over a wide array of time periods. There's something for everyone!
I forget when exactly I got bit by the history bug. Scoot family vacations were usually to historical sites and lived near a historical american city which was the site of a battle in the civil war. So part of it feels like it was mere immersion. My family talking about it, living near it, that stuff.
But I think history really took hold and I started diving into it myself when I started trying to understand the world and politics. I started asking questions about "how did we get here" and history kind of unfolded like a fractal in front of me. Everywhere I looked I found more and more depth.
Eventually I learned that military history was more my speed. I pursued with equal enthusiasm the Campaigns of Julius Caesar and the key battles of the civil war. Things branched out from there. I can't remember ever not being interested in history--it's so foundational to everything.
Thanks for occasioning this reflection! I hadn't thought about this in a long time!
Most definitely enough to go around! You mention growing up near a historical city - I grew up in coastal Virginia with elementary school field trips to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. I hadn't really thought about my influences going that far back. I think at that point I just took it all for granted.
It does seem that history takes a deeper hold when we begin to wonder about the larger world. Mine started in theological history and spun out to geo-politics and "everyman".
"Fractal" - that's a great image for it. Can't get enough of it now.
Ah, a fellow Virginian! I grew up in the surrounds of Fredericksburg--that's the Civil War Battle I was referring to! Virginia is probably one of the most densely-packed states for history, so no surprises that being near Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg would have seeded *the bug*!
Haha! That's perfect! I was pretty smug when I went to Univ. of TN and was able to answer all the US History questions like, duh! I learned that in 3rd grade! Hah. Oh, and then I moved to London. Oy. Smug-face gone. Heh.
STOP! You went to Univ of Tennessee, Lausanne?
Uh-oh. You're gonna out my age. LOL! I was at UTK fall of 80 thru spring of 83. I then transferred to SUNY Purchase and finally graduated from there in '86. Were you at UT???
Yes, I was! 1978-1983 (yep, took me 5 years), College of Communications. Got my BS there. Outing myself too.😁
"Yes I know all about the civil war!"
Londoner: "Which one?" 😂
HAHA! Oh, help...