Recommend me reading: English Civil War and US-Society

[Wernazuma III]

If you wonder for the mix: Those are two main topics of my rigorosum-exams on Oct. 8th. England in the Civil War and US-Society in the 20th Century.
It's all a tremendous hurry, so I need comprehensive, accessible literature or quality online ressources.

For the English Civil War, I ordered Peter Gaunt's "Oliver Cromwell" and Charles Carlton's "Going to the Wars" from the library.

As for social and cultural history of the US in the 20th century, it's more difficult to find something concise yet complete - I only found one good overview in German, but it's only like 150 pages, including all historical aspects. Needless to say, many important topics are treated marginally.

Any ideas? Good websites?

[snoopy369]

If you need a (long) break, you could read George RR Martin's Game of Thrones series ... long, but interesting, and based on the War of the Roses.

Social and cultural history of the US ... hmmm, lots of places you could go there. Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States is an interesting viewpoint, certainly. Not necessarily concise, though...

[Starchild]

War of the Roses and the English Civil War are two different wars tho

[Wernazuma III]

Yes, I ordered this one hour ago from the library, but my hopes that it's what I'm looking for are small.

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by Starchild
War of the Roses and the English Civil War are two different wars tho

Not even two centuries apart.

[snoopy369]

I'm well aware that they are different I don't suggest it for a reference on the matter, just it's similar enough to be an interesting break.

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by snoopy369
I'm well aware that they are different I don't suggest it for a reference on the matter, just it's similar enough to be an interesting break.

I have two kids and a working spouse, so there for breaks.

[SpencerH]

Christopher Hill is considered to be one of the most prominant historians focussing on Cromwell and the english revolution. I just picked up his book "Gods Englishman" but I havent read it yet.

[Wernazuma III]

Thanks Spencer.
Due to my other topic, you cross my mind pretty frequently everystime your hometown is mentioned. And it's mentioned quite often.

[Bosh]

If you want one of the very few books that deals with both at once, try Albion's Seed. Its an awesome bit of cultural history. It is, however, 900 pages long.

[Ramo]

That's really a good book.

Another book that deals with both is Kevin Philips' "Cousins' War." It traces the continuity between the Engilsh Civil War, the American Revolutionary War, and the American Civil War. Compared to "Albion's Seed," it's more polemic and less rigorous, but more readable.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Wernazuma III
Thanks Spencer.
Due to my other topic, you cross my mind pretty frequently everystime your hometown is mentioned. And it's mentioned quite often.

It took me a second to figure out what you meant since my "hometown" is London.

You may already know this link to the birmingham civil rights institute

http://www.bcri.org/index.html

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by SpencerH


It took me a second to figure out what you meant since my "hometown" is London.

You may already know this link to the birmingham civil rights institute

http://www.bcri.org/index.html

London, Alabama, I guess?

I didn't know the link, check it out right now, thanks.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Wernazuma III


London, Alabama, I guess?

I didn't know the link, check it out right now, thanks.

There is only one London, and its in England. "Hometown" to me means the place you were born.

My house is in Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham.

[snoopy369]

I'm fairly sure a certain canadian lawyer would disagree with you there