What is history?
The brief answer: it’s what came before you… For the longer answer, I highly suggest reading “What is History?”

How can I learn about history?
The best way to learn about history is to start with something that you care about: Do you like a certain type of music, instrument, or artwork? Are you really interested in the country your family is from? Do you like a certain type of car? Are you a big fan of any sports teams? If so, you can use what you know as a starting point – look at how and where your favorite things came into being, and learn about the people who invented or used them. It won’t be long until you’re engrossed in the culture around your favorite things. Surprise! You’re learning history!

What about learning history for school?
It’s inevitable… You’re going to have to learn about things that aren’t always your “cup of tea,” but it can still be pretty exciting. All you have to do is find a way to relate to the time that you’re learning about – maybe there’s a monarch with an incredible story, maybe an invention that changed the course of history, maybe it’s the literature of the period. Basically, if you can find things that interest you -- that you can relate to --you won’t have to waste your time on memorization.

What’s the best way to research history?
There are so many wonderful ways to research anything today! Not only are there books on every subject ever imaginable – and, lucky for us, libraries to house them – but we also have the most incredible invention ever: the internet. My suggestion? Start with a narrow aspect of what you want to know. If you go looking for information on “The Middle Ages” you’ll quickly be overwhelmed with the amount of information. But, if you narrow it to “Kings of the Middle Ages,” “Transportation in the Middle Ages” or “European Housing in the Middle Ages” you’re more likely to get a manageable amount of information… And, you can always branch out!

What are the different Historical Periods?
Well, that depends on who you’re talking to! History is taught differently in different parts of the world. For my purposes, generally I use this system for Western History (Eastern/ Asian history is much easier to discuss in terms of dynasties):

Prehistoric Periods:

The Stone Age
Paleolithic, Neolithic
The Bronze Age
The Iron Age

Historical Periods:

Mesopotamian period
Old/Middle/New Kingdom - Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Dark Ages
Middle Ages

Early Modern Period
Renaissance, Elizabethan, Protestant Reformation,
Enlightenment/ Age of Reason

Modern History
Industrial Revolution, Napoleonic Era, Georgian Era, Victorian Era,
Edwardian Era, Machine Age, WWI, Interwar Period, WWII

Post-Modern History
Atomic Age/Cold War, Space Age, Information Age

Who were the first people?
Every culture on the planet has a different theory on who the first people were and how they came into being. Without venturing into a theological debate, I’ll give the evidence as I know it. The earliest bone fragments that are likely related to modern humans have been found by archaeologists in Africa. Archaeologists are working against time to try and figure out who these people were and what their lives were like.

(Just to be clear, as far as I’m concerned, unless we find a birth certificate that says “Joe Shmoe – First Human Ever” there is still room for religious interpretation of the scientific findings. So, interpret how ever you wish!)

What books are good for learning about history?
The amazing thing about literature is that it is almost impossible to write a story without incorporating some of the culture that surrounds you. It’s relatively easy to find fiction that deals with different historic periods: Shakespeare gives a clear picture of Elizabethan England, Tom Sawyer gives an interesting view of Victorian Middle America, and Johnny Tremain portrays the early days of the American Revolution. But, since I love finding history in unique places, I have to say my favorite literary source for studying history is early Science Fiction. Before the days of endless Star Trek and Star Wars novels, Science Fiction writers generally tackled issues that were of great significance in their lives and, if you look at when and where the book was written you can generally see clear evidence of the issues confronting that culture.

Where can I go to learn about history?
Anywhere! You don’t have to make a special trip just to find history; it’s all around you! I’m sure that within a few minutes you can find a bunch of historical sites within just a few miles of your home! (This would be where the “research” comes in… See question above!)

Happy History Hunting!