The key to reading history is to put fiction in it...
I am currently reading the third book in William Dietrich's Ethan Gage series of books, "The Dakota Cipher." This is a big jump for me. You see, I think that while history is very important and interesting, that it is VERY BORING to read. I cannot force myself to hold my eyelids up with toothpicks and take in word after word. I'd rather rake myself over a bed of hot coals. I'd rather wrestle an alligator with my bare hands.
Anyway, you get the point. But I've finally found a way to surmount my boredom. Reading historical fiction. I can now read with interest and vigor and even retain the words because there is a plot. An interesting plot. One set around a main character that I can remember. So, I'm cheating. It's not like remembering history, it's like remembering a story about the main character. I now know more than I ever wanted to about Napoleon's quest to conquer Egypt. I now remember all the things I learned in Norse mythology in college at OU. I now know about Egyptian geography and the root of Freemasonry and that Thomas Jefferson was not such a great financial analyst/planner!! I'm so proud. I even know about the ruthless struggles of the British against the Francs and how the Mamelukes, Ottomans (Ottomen?? lol), and others all interacted. The Fibonacci sequence. The Battle at Acre. The golden number. The first hot air balloon. Shall I continue??
However, after reading three in a row...I'm going to read an alien book next. And then perhaps the Maze Runner series before I embark on another historical fiction journey. I'm really liking this author so I may return to read other books he has written. Thank you Dietrich for enriching my life in history through the stories of a pompous risktaker and gambler. It is much appreciated. Aye, this history stuff is a piece of cake now!
Anyway, you get the point. But I've finally found a way to surmount my boredom. Reading historical fiction. I can now read with interest and vigor and even retain the words because there is a plot. An interesting plot. One set around a main character that I can remember. So, I'm cheating. It's not like remembering history, it's like remembering a story about the main character. I now know more than I ever wanted to about Napoleon's quest to conquer Egypt. I now remember all the things I learned in Norse mythology in college at OU. I now know about Egyptian geography and the root of Freemasonry and that Thomas Jefferson was not such a great financial analyst/planner!! I'm so proud. I even know about the ruthless struggles of the British against the Francs and how the Mamelukes, Ottomans (Ottomen?? lol), and others all interacted. The Fibonacci sequence. The Battle at Acre. The golden number. The first hot air balloon. Shall I continue??
However, after reading three in a row...I'm going to read an alien book next. And then perhaps the Maze Runner series before I embark on another historical fiction journey. I'm really liking this author so I may return to read other books he has written. Thank you Dietrich for enriching my life in history through the stories of a pompous risktaker and gambler. It is much appreciated. Aye, this history stuff is a piece of cake now!
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