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(I'll do #10 eventually. I know that I don't have to, but I really do want to. Just not now.)
Your Local University Library
Or, Why Every History Fan Ought to Consider the Local University Library (At the very least, a trip to the nearest one with a Humanities department).
(It should be mentioned that I currently live in a country where Universities are free. Other countries may have restrictions on public access.)
As you all know, I’m a big fan of history. Where does one find books on history? Why, the Library, of course. And seldom the regular ones. Especially when one loves literary fiction and cultural history. The following resources have helped me very much while researching fic, essays, and original prose.
Essays analysing historical literature
Gives a better background of how and why the characters act the way they do. Also tells you about things that were obviously implied in text/media to a reader of the time, but may elude your own eyes. They’re both good for discovering new canons, or finding other points of view to compare your canon with, as well as entangling all the hidden secrets in the historical context of your canon.
Sourcebooks
This is essentially books collecting treatises, letters, magazine columns, etc on how people of the selected period viewed whatever the sourcebook is about. Such as womanhood in the 18th century, the idea of privacy throughout history(A multi-volume work), or how the Victorians thought about ’Home’.
They’re more densely packed than Essays, and can feel a bit overwhelming unless you know what you’re looking for. That said, they’re very good for getting the whole picture quickly, especially if you’re writing a story dealing with wholly unfamiliar ground, or original fiction.
Libararians
Stacked for time? The librarians will help you! Tell them nicely what you need, and they should be able to tell you where you should be looking, or what keywords to use. This is invaluable. Especially if you speak two languages and are only used to using words that mean something vastly or slightly different when directly translated.
Extra Stuff
Your university library, if well-known and/or famous, may have obscure old first or second editions of classics. They may also have books that belonged to their authors. Even if not well-known or famous, your library may still have access to journals written on your desired topics.
Your Local University Library
Or, Why Every History Fan Ought to Consider the Local University Library (At the very least, a trip to the nearest one with a Humanities department).
(It should be mentioned that I currently live in a country where Universities are free. Other countries may have restrictions on public access.)
As you all know, I’m a big fan of history. Where does one find books on history? Why, the Library, of course. And seldom the regular ones. Especially when one loves literary fiction and cultural history. The following resources have helped me very much while researching fic, essays, and original prose.
Essays analysing historical literature
Gives a better background of how and why the characters act the way they do. Also tells you about things that were obviously implied in text/media to a reader of the time, but may elude your own eyes. They’re both good for discovering new canons, or finding other points of view to compare your canon with, as well as entangling all the hidden secrets in the historical context of your canon.
Sourcebooks
This is essentially books collecting treatises, letters, magazine columns, etc on how people of the selected period viewed whatever the sourcebook is about. Such as womanhood in the 18th century, the idea of privacy throughout history(A multi-volume work), or how the Victorians thought about ’Home’.
They’re more densely packed than Essays, and can feel a bit overwhelming unless you know what you’re looking for. That said, they’re very good for getting the whole picture quickly, especially if you’re writing a story dealing with wholly unfamiliar ground, or original fiction.
Libararians
Stacked for time? The librarians will help you! Tell them nicely what you need, and they should be able to tell you where you should be looking, or what keywords to use. This is invaluable. Especially if you speak two languages and are only used to using words that mean something vastly or slightly different when directly translated.
Extra Stuff
Your university library, if well-known and/or famous, may have obscure old first or second editions of classics. They may also have books that belonged to their authors. Even if not well-known or famous, your library may still have access to journals written on your desired topics.
