June 23, 2005

History through the eyes of those who lived it Your ringside seat to history - from the Ancient World to the present. Mostly reproduced texts, from first-hand accounts, but includes some photos and voice recordings.
posted by dt118 18 years ago
  • This will provide some happy browsing, thanks dt118 - though there seems to be a problem with the Civil War section. I clicked it hoping to read some personal accounts from New Model Army soldiers but it was full of some nonsense kerfuffle that happened in the colonies. I have mailed the webmaster to point out this oversight.
  • Nice. I just wish they had named it EyeWitness to European/American History. The other 2/3 of the world seems to be ignored.
  • Wow. Just wow. Zanshin, unfortunately that scope is rather wide, don't you think? I'd rather have a more comprehensive collection of one area than a scattergun approach to the whole of written human history (! :) Although, that said, I'd love to read Middle Eastern and Oriental stuff.
  • BlueHorse: I agree with you. I just feel that the title implies more than is actually covered.
  • Is this what you were looking for, Abiezer? I love the ads - when I read about Charles I, I always get a hankering to play video games or a home loan (they are constantly changing). Not exactly the most balanced account either. You're all right about the focus - it really should aim to be more world oriented. There are plenty of sources around in translation - there might be some copyright issues, though.
  • Thanks for the cool post, dt118.
  • This site appears to be a spinoff of John Carey's book Eyewitness to History, which I highly recommend. It does have a fair assortment of non-English and non-American accounts that haven't made it onto the Web site yet. It also lacks the flashing adds, and is much easier to read in bed. Last time I looked, you could order it from The Common Reader.
  • Then the king asked the executioner, 'Is my hair well?' ah, death with dignity. Who was that other monarch they filmed fussing with his hair. George the Second of America?
  • If only he would meet with the same fate, dxlifer.
  • Don't you mean George III? =)
  • My first thought was - hey, I thought they didn't have cameras c.1727-60.