History Book Club I, Grandin, America América

Welcome to the first instalment of the monthly History Book Club. This post provides a reader’s guide and discussion questions for Greg Grandin, America América: a New History of the New World

Ten Books to Change Your World History View

As set out in my January announcement, here is the schedule for the ten core books we will read and discuss together in the book club.

• February: Greg Grandin, America América: a New History of the New World

• March: Fernando Cervantes, Conquistadores: A New History

• April: Felipe Fernández-Armesto, Straits: Beyond the Myth of Magellan, together with the movie, Magellan

• May: Mark Mazower, Anti-Semitism: The History of a Word

• June: Sophia Rosenfeld, The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in Modern Life

• July: Mark B. Smith, Exit Stalin: The Soviet Union as a Civilization, 1953-1991

• August: Lyndal Roper, Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants War

• September: Robert Darnton, The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789

• October: Martin Thomas, The End of Empires and a World Remade: A Global History of Decolonization

• November: David van Reybrouck, Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World.

How You Can Participate in the Discussion

On the first day of each month, I will post a short reader’s guide and set of discussion questions.

Over the whole month, you can share your ideas, comments, questions, responses and media recommendations in the comments section of this post.

I am looking forward to reading and responding to all of your comments. I am reading these books for the first time and so I expect to learn a lot from your conversation.

I have made this feature available for paid subscribers so I can commit the time and attention to ensure the book club is a history salon experience. So if you have not already, why not upgrade now?

Mid-month, I will post an essay on a classic history text that has influenced me and is complementary to the core book. In February, I will share the insights I gained from Felipe Fernández-Armesto, Civilizations and his other historical work on the Americas, including his biography of the man whose name was given to the continent, Amerigo Vespucci.

At the end of the month, there will be a live call via Zoom. For the initial meeting, available for paid subscribers, ...