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The most interesting period of history for me is the period leading up to, and including, WWI in Europe. So, from around 1890-1919(Versailles included). So many things of interest going on at that time. Monarchies crumbling, arms races, nationalism, the beginning of the fall of the aristocracy in Britain, the Kaiser making a mess of Bismarck's careful equilibrium, the rise of the proletariat, Rasputin. There's something for everyone to be interested in. And so many "what if's" and "could have beens". 

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy

Pretty much everyone here loves history. I'm just curious, what is your favorite period and why? ....

If this is in regards to computer sims, it would be Napoleanic "horse and musket" as its less complicated to recreate, otherwise WW II since it's so well-documented.

French revolution and Napoleonic era.

Just an interesting period in history and the history of warfare. Made a concrete example of 'don't get involved in a land war in asia' and 'never fight on two fronts', yet those lessons were later ignored. The resiliancy of AH being defeated 4 times and getting off the canvas was remarkable, yet the seeds of its later downfall were clearly visible even at that time. The period was loaded with outstanding generals (Napoleon, Davout, Massena, Suchet, Wellington, Moore, Suvorov, Kutusov, Blucher and others). Too many things to mention really.

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

The most interesting period of history for me is the period leading up to, and including, WWI in Europe. So, from around 1890-1919(Versailles included). So many things of interest going on at that time. Monarchies crumbling, arms races, nationalism, the beginning of the fall of the aristocracy in Britain, the Kaiser making a mess of Bismarck's careful equilibrium, the rise of the proletariat, Rasputin. There's something for everyone to be interested in. And so many "what if's" and "could have beens". 

Me too...though I'd even go on upto the end of WW2....the post WW1 years had alot going on...I even like the fashion...music...architecture etc etc

all of history is a passion for me.

but I think 1870-1955 would be my favorite period.

The Napoleonic period followed by the Hellenistic world through Alexander, next the American Civil War ... last but not least WWII.

American Civil War was my number one love when I was younger.

Now it's mainly WW2

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

The resiliancy of AH being defeated 4 times and getting off the canvas was remarkable, yet the seeds of its later downfall were clearly visible even at that time.

AH?

ORIGINAL: martok

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

The resiliancy of AH being defeated 4 times and getting off the canvas was remarkable, yet the seeds of its later downfall were clearly visible even at that time.

AH?

Warspite1

Austria-Hungary

There is no doubt about my favorite period of history: 10:22 PM till 11:58 PM March 31 1966. The world took little notice though.

Anyway, the American Civil War is to me the most amazing war ever fought. With brother's/father's literally joining apposing sides, Lincolns approach to slavery(leave it alone then freeing slaves ONLY in areas of rebellion), the first modern war of slaughter, those stunning victories(often Pyrrhic) of Lee and his army. Of course in the end one thing was settled-the United States would forever be a centrally controlled republic, leading to the cumbersome and loathsome federal government stumbling around today.

But the main reason I find the Civil War one of the most fascinating periods in history can be gleaned from a Shelby Foote quote:

"Any understanding of this nation has to be based, and I mean really based, on an understanding of the Civil War. I believe that firmly. It defined us. The Revolution did what it did. Our involvement in European wars, beginning with the First World War, did what it did. But the Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things. And it is very necessary, if you are going to understand the American character in the twentieth century, to learn about this enormous catastrophe of the mid-nineteenth century. It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads."

Yes the civil war made us the nation we are today.

All history interests me. I tend to go through phases when I am especially interested in one period or another. I often read up about a period related to a game I am playing – or play games set during a period that I am reading about at the time. At the moment, for example, I’m playing WitP:AE and so I’ve been reading various books and articles about WW2 in Asia and the Pacific. Other recent interests include the 16th Century in Europe – when I played Musket & Pike: Renaissance – and the Napoleonic period, when I played various Nappy games.

Yeah, I love all history too redcoat. During the months of May, June and July I was on a middle ages romp. WOW, what a time to be alive. But in the months preceding that focus I could not get enough of the Napoleonic era(I even through in some Richard Sharpe tales on audio). History is an amazing thing. It is something people know about, but keep making the same mistakes over and over.

ORIGINAL: parusski

........ It is something people know about, but keep making the same mistakes over and over.

Warspite1

What's the old saying? something like "the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history"

But the main reason I find the Civil War one of the most fascinating periods in history can be gleaned from a Shelby Foote quote:

"Any understanding of this nation has to be based, and I mean really based, on an understanding of the Civil War. I believe that firmly. It defined us. The Revolution did what it did. Our involvement in European wars, beginning with the First World War, did what it did. But the Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things. And it is very necessary, if you are going to understand the American character in the twentieth century, to learn about this enormous catastrophe of the mid-nineteenth century. It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads."

Very sound point, but my own personal taste runs to the 15-year period immediately before the Civil War. It was a fascinating time of struggle between different societies no longer able to ignore each other because of the immense changes being caused by the railroad and the telegraph. All who call themselves anti-war should study this period.

You are so very correct warspite, I just rephrased it. Seems that most of us on this thread understand how governments and armies never learn anything from the past.

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

But the main reason I find the Civil War one of the most fascinating periods in history can be gleaned from a Shelby Foote quote:

"Any understanding of this nation has to be based, and I mean really based, on an understanding of the Civil War. I believe that firmly. It defined us. The Revolution did what it did. Our involvement in European wars, beginning with the First World War, did what it did. But the Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things. And it is very necessary, if you are going to understand the American character in the twentieth century, to learn about this enormous catastrophe of the mid-nineteenth century. It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads."

Very sound point, but my own personal taste runs to the 15-year period immediately before the Civil War. It was a fascinating time of struggle between different societies no longer able to ignore each other because of the immense changes being caused by the railroad and the telegraph. All who call themselves anti-war should study this period.

I also find that period of 15-20 years before the Civil war very interesting and amazing. Many historians, and I agree, believe the seeds of this ghastly conflict started not too many years after the USA actually became a nation.

Back to the period 15 years before the conflict there were so many ways to avoid the war. I apologize again for quoting Shelby Foote, but he said(paraphrasing) "..Americans are wonderful at compromising, Americans pride themselves on compromise. But the great tragedy was that this time nobody compromised.." Don't have time at the moment to get exact quote, but you get the point.

ORIGINAL: parusski

Back to the period 15 years before the conflict there were so many ways to avoid the war. I apologize again for quoting Shelby Foote, but he said(paraphrasing) "..Americans are wonderful at compromising, Americans pride themselves on compromise. But the great tragedy was that this time nobody compromised.." Don't have time at the moment to get exact quote, but you get the point.

Compromise is good for nearly every issue.....except slavery. No compromise on slavery.

No revisionist history can ever excuse, pardon or condone the enslavement of one man to another. It's wrong. Period.

I am fascinated by Mayan History. The rich spiritual nature of their culture which spread across the continent. And what was up with that calendar? What did they know that we don't?

I enjoy all sorts of history, but for the past twenty years I've gotten much more involved in American military history. First was the Civil War, then Vietnam, then the Pacific War (the Marines' island battles 1942-45), and currently it's the 1754-1783 period (The French & Indian War and the American Revolution). Most of my video collection concerns these periods, with a few exceptions. When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the Germans of WWII, but now my favorite troops are those badass WWII Marines.

BTW, my all-time favorite US-themed movies right now are "We Were Soldiers" and the two HBO miniseries, "The Pacific" and "Band of Brothers".