I’ve loved U.S. history ever since I took the class in high school. Interestingly, I had to take two semesters of the subject but ended up completing the second semester before the first. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on this website, U.S. history was my favorite subject in school. I also enjoy collecting old things, though I have to be mindful of my bank account. Even so, I’ve managed to gather a few pieces over the years. In addition, I’ve invested quite a bit of money and shelf space in a sizable library of history books. While I have read many of them, I still have a long way to go to get through them all (look out, retirement—here I come!).
My senior year history teacher, Mr. Bender, had a great sense of humor and loved to pick on his students. He pulled off some of the best gags and somehow always got away with them. But the reason I bring him up isn’t to talk about the pranks he played in class—it’s because of his passion for the subject and how he instilled that same passion in me. I find it interesting that my favorite periods in history are the ones when the nation was in turmoil: the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the American Wild West, and the first and second World Wars. I suppose those eras are so compelling because of the profound changes they brought to the country and its people. I am also fascinated by the 1960s and early 1970s, particularly the Vietnam War and the Peace Movement that took place in America during that time.
Throughout my life, I have realized that I have a strong sense of nostalgia. I often reminisce about how things used to be. I’ve even had moments where I have felt like I should have been born in my grandparents era, back in the early 1900s. Life seemed simpler then, and people were different. Of course, I know that life expectancy was shorter and that we didn’t have the medical advancements we have today, but there’s something about the idea of a simpler time that appeals to me.
My fascination with the past has also led me to another personal interest: researching my family’s history, better known as genealogy. I began my research in the mid-1990s and haven’t stopped since. I love discovering more about my ancestors—who they were, what they did, and where they came from. So far, I have found at least three ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, at least seven in the Civil War, and two uncles who served in World War II. I also found out that I’m related to one of the great American authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder, as well as one of the best actors of the mid-1900s, Humphrey Bogart—who, by the way, played two of the greatest film detectives, Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade. I have uncovered many other interesting details, too numerous to list here.
And now, here I am, at the beginning of Part Three of my life’s story. I have shared all of this because it has led me in a certain direction. The genre and subject matter of the books I choose to write are directly tied to my love of history. The genre I’ve decided on is historical fiction/mystery. Yes, I see you caught the “mystery” part—I have always been a sucker for a good “whodunit.” Have you read any Raymond Chandler? I have—all of his books. I also enjoy other classic authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Dashiell Hammett. Of course, I don’t just stick to the classics; I have read some great stories from contemporary authors as well.
So, as you can see, history is something I truly enjoy. How about you? Do you like reading books about history? What time periods interest you the most? How do you feel about fiction set in the past?
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look around. I hope you have enjoyed your time here!
Take care!