The hottest Historical Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Historical Fiction: The Problem Genre

Castalia • 459 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📚 Literature Historical
  1. Historical fiction can be tricky because it's hard to write about the past without getting it wrong. Authors need to balance modern ideas with how people thought back then.
  2. There are different paths writers can take in historical fiction, like blending their creativity with real history or using the past to imagine new outcomes, which can make stories exciting.
  3. Despite its challenges, historical fiction is important because it helps us connect with the past and understand our world better. It should not just be seen as romance or costume drama.

Sense and Sensibility: on choosing men

bookbear express • 577 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
📚 Literature Historical
  1. Choosing the right partner is really important for women, as seen in stories like Sense and Sensibility. Some characters learn that being excited by a charming person can lead to bad choices.
  2. Books often show how women face serious consequences if they pick the wrong men. Characters like Emma Bovary and Anna Karenina fall for the wrong types, showing the dangers of ignoring solid character.
  3. It's essential to balance passion with sense when choosing partners. Characters who rely only on their feelings often face tragic outcomes, while those who think carefully tend to have better lives.

Dear AI, Please Draw me Historical London Christmas Scenes

Londonist: Time Machine • 659 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Historical
  1. Londonist and Matt Brown collaborated to create historical Christmas scenes of London using an AI image generator.
  2. The festive edition of Londonist included these AI-generated images, deviating from their usual historical content.
  3. To view the full post and access the archives, readers were encouraged to start a 7-day free trial of Londonist: Time Machine.

Recommended Books

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📚 Literature Historical
  1. Brutus: The Noble Conspirator by Kathryn Tempest explores the life and legacy of Marcus Junius Brutus, the key conspirator against Julius Caesar.
  2. Tempest uses letters from Brutus and other figures like Cicero to offer insights into personal and political struggles of that time.
  3. The book raises questions on friendship, duty, and the ethics of tyrannicide, leaving readers to ponder Brutus' true motivations.
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The Book Thief And The Power Of Words

Subtle Digressions • 79 implied HN points • 30 May 24
📚 Literature Historical
  1. Words have incredible power, both to hurt and to heal. They can inspire people but also lead to destruction if misused.
  2. In times of hardship, words can be weapons for rebellion against oppression. Protecting the right to speak and share stories is crucial.
  3. The story of 'The Book Thief' shows us how important it is to value words and stories. Losing books means losing a part of our humanity.

Welcome to Tanzania

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🏝 Travel Historical
  1. Tanzania was formed in 1964 by merging Tanganyika and Zanzibar, each with its own unique history and culture. Tanganyika was once a colony, while Zanzibar was famous for its spices.
  2. Tanzania is home to over 120 tribes, each with its own language and traditions. People often visit their tribes annually to celebrate their culture with music and dance.
  3. The local diet is high in meat, including game meat like zebra and impala, which just became legal to sell. The lifestyle is generally slow and peaceful, with friendly people.

5 Historic Quirks to Spot in... the Olympic Park

Londonist: Time Machine • 39 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🏝 Travel Historical
  1. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has many unique and interesting architectural features like the pringle-shaped velodrome and the Orbit tower.
  2. The park also contains lesser-known historic quirks and hidden spots worth exploring.
  3. To learn more about the 5 historic quirks in the Olympic Park, consider subscribing to Londonist for a 7-day free trial.

A Sudanese Lunch

backstory • 290 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Historical
  1. Fighting erupts in Sudan, sparking fear of a third civil war.
  2. Cultural exchange over a Sudanese meal reveals past tensions and divisions.
  3. Unexpected situations during travel can lead to new experiences and insights.

Reviews: Vermeer; Tradecraft; The Queen's Atlas

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 4 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
📚 Literature Historical
  1. The book 'Vermeer' by Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the life and work of the famous Dutch painter, linking his art to the context of his time. It's filled with rich illustrations and insights, making it great for art lovers.
  2. In 'Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré', readers learn about the author's detailed research for his novels and his writing process. It's not just tips for writers; it's also a deep dive into the story behind his books.
  3. 'The Queen’s Atlas' by David Fletcher tells the story of how William Saxton mapped England in the past. This beautifully illustrated book gives a fascinating look at the history and importance of maps during that era.

The First Rider

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
⚔ Fiction Historical
  1. The story revolves around a small tribe in Eastern Europe/Central Asia around 4000 BC speaking a Proto-Indo-European language.
  2. Hester's bonding with a duckling named Swepna showcases a heartwarming connection and her defiance to protect it from becoming a feast for a ceremony.
  3. Bergu's tale of taming the horse Ekwos illustrates courage, friendship with animals, and the importance of respecting nature and the creatures within it.

Notes on 'Allende'

As Ever • 5 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
📚 Literature Historical
  1. You can't take someone else's love for their culture as your own. Real love for a place comes from a personal connection, not just admiration for its art or history.
  2. Exploring other cultures can be exciting, but it's easy to get lost and think you belong when you don't. True belonging can't be borrowed from someone else's experience.
  3. Writing about history and culture should be more than just using them to reflect on yourself; it should create a deeper understanding of the world and its complexities.

My favorite novels on financial markets

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 09
📚 Literature Historical
  1. David Liss's novel 'The Conspiracy of Paper' offers an interesting look at financial markets during the South Sea Bubble. It shows how swindlers took advantage of investors, which still happens today.
  2. Another of Liss's notable works is 'The Coffee Trader', which explores the early derivatives markets in coffee. It highlights how trading antics have been around for a long time, just like today.
  3. While 'The Whiskey Rebels' ties into finance through Alexander Hamilton's story, it doesn't capture market chaos as well as Liss's other books do.