Non-Boring History $5 / month

Non-Boring History, helmed by Dr. Annette Laing, delves into overlooked and vibrant historical narratives, emphasizing stories beyond traditional classroom lessons. The substack explores unconventional individuals, industrial impacts, and the personal dimensions of historical figures and events, engaging readers with in-depth analyses and a personal connection to the past.

Historical Anecdotes Cultural Impact Personal Historical Narratives Industrial History Colonial New England British History American History Civil Rights Movement Literature and History

The hottest Substack posts of Non-Boring History

And their main takeaways

Stiff Upper Lip? 😐😢😭

432 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Identity Religion Emotions
  1. Crying has a rich history in Britain, challenging stereotypes about emotion.
  2. Historical figures like Margery Kempe show that public crying was not uncommon in the past.
  3. Exploring the history of public displays of emotions can lead to a deeper understanding of cultures and societies.

Buffalo Bill's Not-So-Wild Home

412 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💾 History Entertainment
  1. Buffalo Bill's mansion in North Platte, Nebraska is a Victorian house with an interesting history.
  2. Buffalo Bill Cody's life story involved dramatic turns, from being a scout, buffalo hunter, to a showman.
  3. Buffalo Bill's impact on American showbiz and the Western theme continues to influence entertainment today.

Meet Black Patriots Fighting for Independence (their own)

314 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💾 History American Revolution Resistance Survival Independence
  1. Enslaved African Americans had complex allegiances during the American Revolution, supporting the British for various reasons.
  2. The British offered enslaved people opportunities during the War of Independence, but the reality of slavery persisted even after gestures of freedom.
  3. Enslaved people formed their own communities in the swamps to resist slavery, facing challenges for their independence and eventually being brought down by authorities.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Southern Farm Story

275 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Culture History Food & Drink Photography Event
  1. The post shares a story about a Southern farm in the middle of Atlanta, written by Annette Laing.
  2. There's an important announcement of a Zoom chat event scheduled for March 2, 2024, for paid subscribers to connect with Annette Laing.
  3. The post emphasizes the opportunity for Nonnies (subscribers) to have exclusive discussions and insights into Annette Laing's series.

West With the Wagons (10): Buffalo and People

275 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💾 History
  1. The post discusses the relationship between buffalo and people in the West
  2. The series 'West With the Wagons' is a ongoing gift for supporters
  3. The post is part of a paid subscription for readers

Not Really A Post 😎 🏳️

275 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Blogging Writing
  1. The post is just a quick photo with a few words, not a lengthy read.
  2. The author acknowledges the previous long post and promises not to overwhelm readers again.
  3. This particular post is only accessible to paid subscribers.

It's A Big Bed! And It's . . . Where?

805 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art
  1. A big bed is in a major London museum, sparking curiosity about its significance.
  2. The post is about 2,400 words long, offering a detailed exploration of the big bed.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to Non-Boring History.

The Man Who Told the Puritans "Up Yours" (1)

628 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
💾 History Cultural Exchange
  1. The post discusses the idea of a more fun, less Puritan-focused early Colonial New England.
  2. The image shows an imagined 17th-century party hosted by Thomas Morton with English and Indians partying.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to read more content on Non-Boring History.

The Man Who Told the Puritans "Up Yours" (2)

471 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
💾 History American history Trials
  1. The post discusses a historical figure, Thomas Morton, and his significance in early American history.
  2. The content is a continuation from a previous post titled "The Man Who Told the Puritans 'Up Yours' (1)."
  3. The article is part of a series called An Alt-New England Story.

When Slavery Came Home

550 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💾 History Slavery Future
  1. The post discusses facing difficult truths from the past to create a better future.
  2. It mentions the dark secrets of a historical place in rural Cheshire, near Manchester, England.
  3. Readers can access more content and archives by subscribing for a 7-day free trial.

A Summery Pause

569 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The author enjoys connecting with their audience through writing.
  2. Reading history can make one feel less alone.
  3. Consider a 7-day free trial to access more content from the author.

A Difficult Woman Figures Things Out

550 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture History Women
  1. The post discusses an 18th-century British woman who fights back and discovers herself.
  2. Annette Laing cares about the story of this difficult woman.
  3. The post invites readers to join a 7-day free trial to read more content.

At Home With Mr. Churchill

471 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Personal Experience
  1. The post discusses a visit to Mr. Churchill's home, Chartwell.
  2. The author shares a personal note about catching COVID.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

It's Grim Up North?

471 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🏝 Travel History Culture World Politics Art & Illustration
  1. Manchester was the world's first industrial city that became industrialized quickly
  2. In the 18th century, Manchester transformed from a pretty village to a city with factory chimneys and smog
  3. The industrial impact of Manchester in the past can still be seen today

Writing Life at Home

393 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎭️ Culture Literature History Art Travel Society
  1. Elizabeth Gaskell, a prominent Victorian author, was a significant female literary figure of her time and her home is now a museum open to the public.
  2. Elizabeth Gaskell's house in Manchester showcased how she and her family lived, revealing her lifestyle and her significant contributions to literature.
  3. Mrs. Gaskell's home maintained a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, with volunteers offering insights into her life, and the museum allowing interaction with Victorian-style items.

Yesterday's Influencer

412 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💾 History Historical context
  1. The post discusses visiting the Scottish birthplace of a once famous but now forgotten celebrity.
  2. The blog post includes a collection of belongings owned by Thomas Carlyle.
  3. History is highlighted as a valuable subject that provides context to our lives.

Visiting Darwin! No, Not Him.

393 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🏝 Travel Personal experiences Destination
  1. The post is about visiting another Darwin, not the famous one.
  2. The author shares an interesting experience about presenting on child labor in the British Industrial Revolution.
  3. There is an opportunity to get a 7-day free trial to read the full post.

Cruel To Be Kind? Or Kinda Cruel?

393 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The author is discussing the concept of being kind or cruel.
  2. The post includes a link to the author's collection of random history.
  3. Paid subscription is highlighted as vital to support the author's work.