| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:30pm-4:00pm 2.30pm First Wednesday |
| Venue: | Old Nelson |
Reading accessible history books on a wide range of topics, we meet on the first Wednesday of the month.
Contact Jenny Dunford by email using the link above.
The books we choose cover all kinds of subjects, periods and approaches. Non-fiction, normally. Copies should be available as paperbacks or available reasonably cheaply from second-hand booksellers. The discussion is generally very wide-ranging and mainly non- (or only lightly) academic.
We read serious but accessible history books on all kinds of subjects, periods and approaches. Non-fiction (normally). Books should be available at low prices from second-hand bookshops or online retailers.
Here's our current session planned dates and book list ....
Late 2026
Nov 4
The World Before Columbus by Edward Burnam
1100-1492 connections with Asia, Africa, and the west before Columbus.
Dec 2
The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places
Something of a “coffee table book” but one that might give us some ideas for future topics.
2027
Jan 6
Back to Home and Duty by Dierdre Beddoe
Women between the wars 1918-1939
This is a short one over the holiday period. If you finish it quickly, you could begin the next one, which is rather long.
Feb 3
A History of the Scottish People 1560-1830 by T C Smout
Long and packed with information. The second volume will be later in the year.
[lunch to be arranged]
Mar 3
The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland
Peter’s recommendation – about the man who broke out of Auschwitz to warn the world.
Apr 7
The Oxford Illustrated History of Ireland – ed by R F Foster
Six essays about Irish history from prehistory to the 20th century.
May 5
The Calendar by David Ewing Duncan
The story of clocks, time and missing days. A lot of disparate information,both in time and space.
June 2
The Black Death by Philip Zeigler
Looks very wide ranging – history of the plague and its effects