Fff, I'm glad it's not just me. I just... feel so DUMB sometimes. I don't encounter anyone in real life who knows anything about history, but then when it comes to Hetalia fandom I'm found feeling awkward because I lack so much basic knowledge.
I wish I'd had history class in school at all. It might have helped. [/facepalm]
I find... instead of reading historical fiction, what has helped in some small ways, for me, was reading fiction written during whatever historical time period I was interested in. Not just the story itself, but also the essays that usually come at the front of the book in academic editions. Usually it would explain whatever historical context/discussion of politics existed in the literature itself. Reading the Kalevala, for example, is one thing, when it comes to absorbing a bit about Finnish folklore - but it's another thing to read the essays contained in the edition and understand, from that, a little bit about the importance that compiling and publishing the Kalevala had in the overall movement toward development of Finnish national identity.
But maybe this approach just works for me because of my background in literature, I dunno. :Va
(And you've just reminded me that I should get around to reading Gone With The Wind... I really enjoyed the film)
Sigh, well, anyway. We can be in this boat together. And read and learn together. That works for me. ;)
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Yuu. Fic writer & book lover. M/Canada.
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Date: 2012-10-07 04:57 am (UTC)I wish I'd had history class in school at all. It might have helped. [/facepalm]
I find... instead of reading historical fiction, what has helped in some small ways, for me, was reading fiction written during whatever historical time period I was interested in. Not just the story itself, but also the essays that usually come at the front of the book in academic editions. Usually it would explain whatever historical context/discussion of politics existed in the literature itself. Reading the Kalevala, for example, is one thing, when it comes to absorbing a bit about Finnish folklore - but it's another thing to read the essays contained in the edition and understand, from that, a little bit about the importance that compiling and publishing the Kalevala had in the overall movement toward development of Finnish national identity.
But maybe this approach just works for me because of my background in literature, I dunno. :Va
(And you've just reminded me that I should get around to reading Gone With The Wind... I really enjoyed the film)
Sigh, well, anyway. We can be in this boat together. And read and learn together. That works for me. ;)