Pat here:
As I may have mentioned, I’m working on a new Malcolm/Ives historical series starring the descendants of my Georgian couples. Since I’ve written predominantly in the Georgian and Regency eras, my historical curiosity was whetted for “what happened next.” We all know that Prinny took over after the death of his mad father in 1820 and ruled that decade until his own demise in June 1830. It’s at the point where younger brother William succeeds to the throne that the genealogy for my characters kicked in best—when the combination of mystical Malcolms and scientific Ives have entwined through several generations and are ready to meet the future with a whole new set of gifts.
In 1830, the Industrial Revolution was in full sway, with railroads, steamships, manufacturing, and medical advances evolving rapidly. Technology allowed more exploration of this world and the skies, leading to discoveries that added to the same kind of future shock as we’re suffering today.
And just as today, the old-fashioned legal system didn’t apply so well to all the 
changes in society resulting from industrial advances, and the courts were being stretched to the breaking point. In the UK, the civil court, called the Chancellery, was on the verge of total collapse—very useful for my stories where inheritances, guardians, and marriage laws are so important. And the criminal courts basically relied on the fairness of the judges because there wasn’t any police system in place to provide anything resembling evidence. Bow Street Patrols—both mounted and foot by this time—might catch criminals if pressed upon, but they weren’t there to keep civil order. And by 1830, civil disorder had become the only means that the common man could use to demand change—or sometimes, demand that industry quit changing their lives. Riots could explode upon any occasion, terrifying rural villages or forcing the city to a halt.
All through the 1820’s, a far-sighted man, Robert Peel—later Sir Robert Peel—(that's his image above. Doesn't he make a dashing hero? historical photocredits to http://www.maryevans.com/ ) fought to bring order to the streets of London and its outlying neighborhoods. Despite Peel's earlier efforts, it wasn’t until September 29, 1829 that the first Metropolitan Police Act was finally passed, and even then, it wasn’t comprehensive. The act eliminated the 
local Watch in the London suburbs but still didn’t interfere with the City of London, which resisted change. Bow Street kept its unpopular thief-taking role and the magistrates still had their own officers. But the suburbs now had a new tool promoted as in the interest of “crime prevention,” an actual police force.
From these humble beginnings our now famous and respected Scotland Yard emerged. Headquarters for the new police was at 4 Whitehall Place, in the St. James’ district of Westminster. The courtyard behind this office was called Scotland Yard, for an historical stew of reasons. There were all of two commissioners stationed there. (the image of Scotland Yard below is from 1808, before the police took over)
For centuries, England had resisted anything resembling a military force patrolling civilian streets, so Peel’s new recruits were given blue uniforms rather than the military red, and they were originally armed only with truncheons, plus a rattle to signal a need for assistance. Flintlock pocket pistols were authorized, but no one ever carried them. They rusted, unused, on shelves. I’d like to think it was because policemen didn’t want to act as judge and jury against their fellows and preferred a good fistfight to killing the people they were meant to protect.
The initial force consisted of 2 Commissioners, 8 superintendents, 20 inspectors, 88 
sergeants and 895 constables. Recruits had to be under the age of 35, in good health, and at least 5’ 7”. They worked 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week, and the standard wage for a constable was one guinea a week. Obviously, they did not come from the social elite, but Peel intended his force to be for the common man.
The job wasn’t for the weak of will. For those lousy wages and working conditions, the police were universally despised. The original use of “bobby” and “peeler” for these overworked civil servants was a taunt, a reference to Sir Robert Peel’s unappreciated efforts. In the same month Prinny died, the first constable was killed, and the coroner called it “justifiable homicide.” After that, officers were often physically assaulted, impaled, blinded, and once, held down while a vehicle was driven over him. Disrespect for the law and policemen isn’t exactly new.
And as usual, the rural communities were very slow to change to the modern city ways, so the local magistrates still ruled their home villages—again keeping life interesting for my characters. As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same!
What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?
Are there any questions you’d like me to dig into about the 1830s while I plot my way out of my next story hole? I can’t promise I’ll have a chance to blog about all of them, but I’ll do what I can!
And a reminder, the reissue of Devilish Montague is now available for preorder! If I did it right, the excerpt is up on my website.
“and they were originally armed only with truncheons”
So, nothing much has changed!! 🙂 🙂
I believe they only dropped the minimum height rule for police very recently. However, by the twentieth century the height had been raised. Something like 5′ 8 or 9″.
“What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?”
I was reading them from such a young age, I couldn’t tell you why I started.
Because I lived in London (my first home was actually on Fleet Street, basically next door to Dr Johnson’s house) I really enjoy reading historicals involving the uglier side of London: police, Covent Garden, The City etc.
“and they were originally armed only with truncheons”
So, nothing much has changed!! 🙂 🙂
I believe they only dropped the minimum height rule for police very recently. However, by the twentieth century the height had been raised. Something like 5′ 8 or 9″.
“What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?”
I was reading them from such a young age, I couldn’t tell you why I started.
Because I lived in London (my first home was actually on Fleet Street, basically next door to Dr Johnson’s house) I really enjoy reading historicals involving the uglier side of London: police, Covent Garden, The City etc.
“and they were originally armed only with truncheons”
So, nothing much has changed!! 🙂 🙂
I believe they only dropped the minimum height rule for police very recently. However, by the twentieth century the height had been raised. Something like 5′ 8 or 9″.
“What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?”
I was reading them from such a young age, I couldn’t tell you why I started.
Because I lived in London (my first home was actually on Fleet Street, basically next door to Dr Johnson’s house) I really enjoy reading historicals involving the uglier side of London: police, Covent Garden, The City etc.
“and they were originally armed only with truncheons”
So, nothing much has changed!! 🙂 🙂
I believe they only dropped the minimum height rule for police very recently. However, by the twentieth century the height had been raised. Something like 5′ 8 or 9″.
“What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?”
I was reading them from such a young age, I couldn’t tell you why I started.
Because I lived in London (my first home was actually on Fleet Street, basically next door to Dr Johnson’s house) I really enjoy reading historicals involving the uglier side of London: police, Covent Garden, The City etc.
“and they were originally armed only with truncheons”
So, nothing much has changed!! 🙂 🙂
I believe they only dropped the minimum height rule for police very recently. However, by the twentieth century the height had been raised. Something like 5′ 8 or 9″.
“What brings you to reading historicals? Any idea?”
I was reading them from such a young age, I couldn’t tell you why I started.
Because I lived in London (my first home was actually on Fleet Street, basically next door to Dr Johnson’s house) I really enjoy reading historicals involving the uglier side of London: police, Covent Garden, The City etc.
My first historical may have been “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Of course for me “Little Women” and “Tom Sawyer” were historical (as was Jane Austen when I reached her) even though these books were contemporary when written. The Little House Books began to appear when I was technically “too old” for them; my sister and I devoured them as they came out. And there was “Roller Skates” and one about Martha Washington’s granddaughter (I don’t remember the title, but I think it included “Cherry Street” as part of it. Obviously this are all Children’s literature, because that is when I began reading books with historical settings.
It wasn’t until Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart that I began to seek out historical romance and tales of romantic suspense as specific genre to look for.
For me a well-written good story is my prime criterion. I don’t follow the Word Wenches (and other romance writers) because they write historical novels. I follow them and other favorite authors because I like what the write, whatever genre it may be.
My first historical may have been “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Of course for me “Little Women” and “Tom Sawyer” were historical (as was Jane Austen when I reached her) even though these books were contemporary when written. The Little House Books began to appear when I was technically “too old” for them; my sister and I devoured them as they came out. And there was “Roller Skates” and one about Martha Washington’s granddaughter (I don’t remember the title, but I think it included “Cherry Street” as part of it. Obviously this are all Children’s literature, because that is when I began reading books with historical settings.
It wasn’t until Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart that I began to seek out historical romance and tales of romantic suspense as specific genre to look for.
For me a well-written good story is my prime criterion. I don’t follow the Word Wenches (and other romance writers) because they write historical novels. I follow them and other favorite authors because I like what the write, whatever genre it may be.
My first historical may have been “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Of course for me “Little Women” and “Tom Sawyer” were historical (as was Jane Austen when I reached her) even though these books were contemporary when written. The Little House Books began to appear when I was technically “too old” for them; my sister and I devoured them as they came out. And there was “Roller Skates” and one about Martha Washington’s granddaughter (I don’t remember the title, but I think it included “Cherry Street” as part of it. Obviously this are all Children’s literature, because that is when I began reading books with historical settings.
It wasn’t until Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart that I began to seek out historical romance and tales of romantic suspense as specific genre to look for.
For me a well-written good story is my prime criterion. I don’t follow the Word Wenches (and other romance writers) because they write historical novels. I follow them and other favorite authors because I like what the write, whatever genre it may be.
My first historical may have been “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Of course for me “Little Women” and “Tom Sawyer” were historical (as was Jane Austen when I reached her) even though these books were contemporary when written. The Little House Books began to appear when I was technically “too old” for them; my sister and I devoured them as they came out. And there was “Roller Skates” and one about Martha Washington’s granddaughter (I don’t remember the title, but I think it included “Cherry Street” as part of it. Obviously this are all Children’s literature, because that is when I began reading books with historical settings.
It wasn’t until Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart that I began to seek out historical romance and tales of romantic suspense as specific genre to look for.
For me a well-written good story is my prime criterion. I don’t follow the Word Wenches (and other romance writers) because they write historical novels. I follow them and other favorite authors because I like what the write, whatever genre it may be.
My first historical may have been “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Of course for me “Little Women” and “Tom Sawyer” were historical (as was Jane Austen when I reached her) even though these books were contemporary when written. The Little House Books began to appear when I was technically “too old” for them; my sister and I devoured them as they came out. And there was “Roller Skates” and one about Martha Washington’s granddaughter (I don’t remember the title, but I think it included “Cherry Street” as part of it. Obviously this are all Children’s literature, because that is when I began reading books with historical settings.
It wasn’t until Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart that I began to seek out historical romance and tales of romantic suspense as specific genre to look for.
For me a well-written good story is my prime criterion. I don’t follow the Word Wenches (and other romance writers) because they write historical novels. I follow them and other favorite authors because I like what the write, whatever genre it may be.
Oh, you had history at your fingertips! I’m in awe. When I was a kid, I could only try to imagine what London looked like. I’m fascinated by all the facets of the city living side-by-side, but I’m always afraid I won’t get the connections correct. It’s not as if there is a ton of reading material on Austen’s people rubbing elbows with the criminal elements!
Oh, you had history at your fingertips! I’m in awe. When I was a kid, I could only try to imagine what London looked like. I’m fascinated by all the facets of the city living side-by-side, but I’m always afraid I won’t get the connections correct. It’s not as if there is a ton of reading material on Austen’s people rubbing elbows with the criminal elements!
Oh, you had history at your fingertips! I’m in awe. When I was a kid, I could only try to imagine what London looked like. I’m fascinated by all the facets of the city living side-by-side, but I’m always afraid I won’t get the connections correct. It’s not as if there is a ton of reading material on Austen’s people rubbing elbows with the criminal elements!
Oh, you had history at your fingertips! I’m in awe. When I was a kid, I could only try to imagine what London looked like. I’m fascinated by all the facets of the city living side-by-side, but I’m always afraid I won’t get the connections correct. It’s not as if there is a ton of reading material on Austen’s people rubbing elbows with the criminal elements!
Oh, you had history at your fingertips! I’m in awe. When I was a kid, I could only try to imagine what London looked like. I’m fascinated by all the facets of the city living side-by-side, but I’m always afraid I won’t get the connections correct. It’s not as if there is a ton of reading material on Austen’s people rubbing elbows with the criminal elements!
Thank you! And now I wonder what our kids are reading… Do they get the same background of history in their fiction that we did growing up? Because you’re right, that’s where a lot of my fascination grew.
Thank you! And now I wonder what our kids are reading… Do they get the same background of history in their fiction that we did growing up? Because you’re right, that’s where a lot of my fascination grew.
Thank you! And now I wonder what our kids are reading… Do they get the same background of history in their fiction that we did growing up? Because you’re right, that’s where a lot of my fascination grew.
Thank you! And now I wonder what our kids are reading… Do they get the same background of history in their fiction that we did growing up? Because you’re right, that’s where a lot of my fascination grew.
Thank you! And now I wonder what our kids are reading… Do they get the same background of history in their fiction that we did growing up? Because you’re right, that’s where a lot of my fascination grew.
Nice post, Pat! I had no idea Sir Robert Peel was such a handsome fellow. *G* Law enforcement in the early decades of the 19th century was such a mishmash. I don’t think a guinea a week was a bad salary, though. But beomg a constable was certainly a tough, demanding job.
Nice post, Pat! I had no idea Sir Robert Peel was such a handsome fellow. *G* Law enforcement in the early decades of the 19th century was such a mishmash. I don’t think a guinea a week was a bad salary, though. But beomg a constable was certainly a tough, demanding job.
Nice post, Pat! I had no idea Sir Robert Peel was such a handsome fellow. *G* Law enforcement in the early decades of the 19th century was such a mishmash. I don’t think a guinea a week was a bad salary, though. But beomg a constable was certainly a tough, demanding job.
Nice post, Pat! I had no idea Sir Robert Peel was such a handsome fellow. *G* Law enforcement in the early decades of the 19th century was such a mishmash. I don’t think a guinea a week was a bad salary, though. But beomg a constable was certainly a tough, demanding job.
Nice post, Pat! I had no idea Sir Robert Peel was such a handsome fellow. *G* Law enforcement in the early decades of the 19th century was such a mishmash. I don’t think a guinea a week was a bad salary, though. But beomg a constable was certainly a tough, demanding job.
Love the article and information. I never knew the starting steps of the police and Scotland Yard in England! You’ve also just opened me up to a whole new author and series… My house will now never get cleaned! I started out reading my grandmother’s Harliquin books when I was about 8 and have moved up to historical romance/paranormal romance and military romance from there!
Love the article and information. I never knew the starting steps of the police and Scotland Yard in England! You’ve also just opened me up to a whole new author and series… My house will now never get cleaned! I started out reading my grandmother’s Harliquin books when I was about 8 and have moved up to historical romance/paranormal romance and military romance from there!
Love the article and information. I never knew the starting steps of the police and Scotland Yard in England! You’ve also just opened me up to a whole new author and series… My house will now never get cleaned! I started out reading my grandmother’s Harliquin books when I was about 8 and have moved up to historical romance/paranormal romance and military romance from there!
Love the article and information. I never knew the starting steps of the police and Scotland Yard in England! You’ve also just opened me up to a whole new author and series… My house will now never get cleaned! I started out reading my grandmother’s Harliquin books when I was about 8 and have moved up to historical romance/paranormal romance and military romance from there!
Love the article and information. I never knew the starting steps of the police and Scotland Yard in England! You’ve also just opened me up to a whole new author and series… My house will now never get cleaned! I started out reading my grandmother’s Harliquin books when I was about 8 and have moved up to historical romance/paranormal romance and military romance from there!
Isn’t he handsome–as well as smart and principled?
I’m not sure about a guinea being good wages for miserable long hours under horrible working conditions, but Peel was emphatic that the positions not be held by the social elite. I find that fascinating.
Isn’t he handsome–as well as smart and principled?
I’m not sure about a guinea being good wages for miserable long hours under horrible working conditions, but Peel was emphatic that the positions not be held by the social elite. I find that fascinating.
Isn’t he handsome–as well as smart and principled?
I’m not sure about a guinea being good wages for miserable long hours under horrible working conditions, but Peel was emphatic that the positions not be held by the social elite. I find that fascinating.
Isn’t he handsome–as well as smart and principled?
I’m not sure about a guinea being good wages for miserable long hours under horrible working conditions, but Peel was emphatic that the positions not be held by the social elite. I find that fascinating.
Isn’t he handsome–as well as smart and principled?
I’m not sure about a guinea being good wages for miserable long hours under horrible working conditions, but Peel was emphatic that the positions not be held by the social elite. I find that fascinating.
That’s what we’re here for–to feed book addictions!
That’s what we’re here for–to feed book addictions!
That’s what we’re here for–to feed book addictions!
That’s what we’re here for–to feed book addictions!
That’s what we’re here for–to feed book addictions!
Pat, school history classes never developed an interest in history in me — though I didn’t dislike them. But I grew up reading everything I could lay my hands on, and many of those novels were historical — Rosemary Sutcliff and her Roman-era Britain, Henry Treece who was early Britain too , and of course Georgette Heyer, Baroness Orczy etc. I didn’t discriminate between historical settings and fantasy settings or foreign settings — it was all just the background to some fabulous stories. And as Sue said above, what counted was that it was a good story. But in the process I grew up with a fairly good appreciation of history.
Pat, school history classes never developed an interest in history in me — though I didn’t dislike them. But I grew up reading everything I could lay my hands on, and many of those novels were historical — Rosemary Sutcliff and her Roman-era Britain, Henry Treece who was early Britain too , and of course Georgette Heyer, Baroness Orczy etc. I didn’t discriminate between historical settings and fantasy settings or foreign settings — it was all just the background to some fabulous stories. And as Sue said above, what counted was that it was a good story. But in the process I grew up with a fairly good appreciation of history.
Pat, school history classes never developed an interest in history in me — though I didn’t dislike them. But I grew up reading everything I could lay my hands on, and many of those novels were historical — Rosemary Sutcliff and her Roman-era Britain, Henry Treece who was early Britain too , and of course Georgette Heyer, Baroness Orczy etc. I didn’t discriminate between historical settings and fantasy settings or foreign settings — it was all just the background to some fabulous stories. And as Sue said above, what counted was that it was a good story. But in the process I grew up with a fairly good appreciation of history.
Pat, school history classes never developed an interest in history in me — though I didn’t dislike them. But I grew up reading everything I could lay my hands on, and many of those novels were historical — Rosemary Sutcliff and her Roman-era Britain, Henry Treece who was early Britain too , and of course Georgette Heyer, Baroness Orczy etc. I didn’t discriminate between historical settings and fantasy settings or foreign settings — it was all just the background to some fabulous stories. And as Sue said above, what counted was that it was a good story. But in the process I grew up with a fairly good appreciation of history.
Pat, school history classes never developed an interest in history in me — though I didn’t dislike them. But I grew up reading everything I could lay my hands on, and many of those novels were historical — Rosemary Sutcliff and her Roman-era Britain, Henry Treece who was early Britain too , and of course Georgette Heyer, Baroness Orczy etc. I didn’t discriminate between historical settings and fantasy settings or foreign settings — it was all just the background to some fabulous stories. And as Sue said above, what counted was that it was a good story. But in the process I grew up with a fairly good appreciation of history.
I loved finding out that bobbie and peeler were not nice terms for the police. Some of us were chatting one day and came up with about five pejorative terms for the police. We’re a bunch of word mavens. Today we had to look up a Latin phrase in someone’s email block. I guess that provides the basis of a question: were the classics, especially in Greek and Latin, still the main part of the curriculum or had it begun to shift to math, science, and English literature?
As for historicals, I fell in love with them early on, especially the Signet romances. I dreamed of balls and gowns and beaux, mainly in England. From time to time, I dabble in steam punk, sci-fi, and fantasy, but I return to my first love.
I loved finding out that bobbie and peeler were not nice terms for the police. Some of us were chatting one day and came up with about five pejorative terms for the police. We’re a bunch of word mavens. Today we had to look up a Latin phrase in someone’s email block. I guess that provides the basis of a question: were the classics, especially in Greek and Latin, still the main part of the curriculum or had it begun to shift to math, science, and English literature?
As for historicals, I fell in love with them early on, especially the Signet romances. I dreamed of balls and gowns and beaux, mainly in England. From time to time, I dabble in steam punk, sci-fi, and fantasy, but I return to my first love.
I loved finding out that bobbie and peeler were not nice terms for the police. Some of us were chatting one day and came up with about five pejorative terms for the police. We’re a bunch of word mavens. Today we had to look up a Latin phrase in someone’s email block. I guess that provides the basis of a question: were the classics, especially in Greek and Latin, still the main part of the curriculum or had it begun to shift to math, science, and English literature?
As for historicals, I fell in love with them early on, especially the Signet romances. I dreamed of balls and gowns and beaux, mainly in England. From time to time, I dabble in steam punk, sci-fi, and fantasy, but I return to my first love.
I loved finding out that bobbie and peeler were not nice terms for the police. Some of us were chatting one day and came up with about five pejorative terms for the police. We’re a bunch of word mavens. Today we had to look up a Latin phrase in someone’s email block. I guess that provides the basis of a question: were the classics, especially in Greek and Latin, still the main part of the curriculum or had it begun to shift to math, science, and English literature?
As for historicals, I fell in love with them early on, especially the Signet romances. I dreamed of balls and gowns and beaux, mainly in England. From time to time, I dabble in steam punk, sci-fi, and fantasy, but I return to my first love.
I loved finding out that bobbie and peeler were not nice terms for the police. Some of us were chatting one day and came up with about five pejorative terms for the police. We’re a bunch of word mavens. Today we had to look up a Latin phrase in someone’s email block. I guess that provides the basis of a question: were the classics, especially in Greek and Latin, still the main part of the curriculum or had it begun to shift to math, science, and English literature?
As for historicals, I fell in love with them early on, especially the Signet romances. I dreamed of balls and gowns and beaux, mainly in England. From time to time, I dabble in steam punk, sci-fi, and fantasy, but I return to my first love.
so to implant a love of history, we really do need to be providing the kids interesting historical stories. Interesting!
so to implant a love of history, we really do need to be providing the kids interesting historical stories. Interesting!
so to implant a love of history, we really do need to be providing the kids interesting historical stories. Interesting!
so to implant a love of history, we really do need to be providing the kids interesting historical stories. Interesting!
so to implant a love of history, we really do need to be providing the kids interesting historical stories. Interesting!
People throughout time had nasty words for people in authority–it was basically all they had to fight with, I guess.
And fun question to dig into! I have a bunch of lads running about who will need to start studying soon. 😉
People throughout time had nasty words for people in authority–it was basically all they had to fight with, I guess.
And fun question to dig into! I have a bunch of lads running about who will need to start studying soon. 😉
People throughout time had nasty words for people in authority–it was basically all they had to fight with, I guess.
And fun question to dig into! I have a bunch of lads running about who will need to start studying soon. 😉
People throughout time had nasty words for people in authority–it was basically all they had to fight with, I guess.
And fun question to dig into! I have a bunch of lads running about who will need to start studying soon. 😉
People throughout time had nasty words for people in authority–it was basically all they had to fight with, I guess.
And fun question to dig into! I have a bunch of lads running about who will need to start studying soon. 😉
I think so. Of course teaching history in an interesting way is also necessary, but I think once kids understand that history is full of wonderful stories, it's an easier sell. And if we write books where readers absorb the atmosphere and learn about history in the same way they learn about the Harry Potter Universe, for example, well, why wouldn't they love it? 🙂
I think so. Of course teaching history in an interesting way is also necessary, but I think once kids understand that history is full of wonderful stories, it's an easier sell. And if we write books where readers absorb the atmosphere and learn about history in the same way they learn about the Harry Potter Universe, for example, well, why wouldn't they love it? 🙂
I think so. Of course teaching history in an interesting way is also necessary, but I think once kids understand that history is full of wonderful stories, it's an easier sell. And if we write books where readers absorb the atmosphere and learn about history in the same way they learn about the Harry Potter Universe, for example, well, why wouldn't they love it? 🙂
I think so. Of course teaching history in an interesting way is also necessary, but I think once kids understand that history is full of wonderful stories, it's an easier sell. And if we write books where readers absorb the atmosphere and learn about history in the same way they learn about the Harry Potter Universe, for example, well, why wouldn't they love it? 🙂
I think so. Of course teaching history in an interesting way is also necessary, but I think once kids understand that history is full of wonderful stories, it's an easier sell. And if we write books where readers absorb the atmosphere and learn about history in the same way they learn about the Harry Potter Universe, for example, well, why wouldn't they love it? 🙂
I believe that the first “historical” I ever read was Johnny Tremain and later, Witch of Blackbird Pond. But every week we watched Swamp Fox and Daniel Boone and then, my father was a huge history buff, so I can’t say if my love of historicals came from the chicken or the egg. I do know that those friends of mine who teach history or write of it read an historical, first.
My husband, however, developed his love of history through a non-fiction series his parents purchased a book at a time at the grocery store. He reads historical fiction now (usually about war and politics) but I think we develop our interests in different ways.
That’s why I feel it is so important for parents to augment the education our children receive in school by taking our children to museums, concerts, festivals, etc. And to supply books from different genre, which is what libraries often do in their summer reading programs.
I believe that the first “historical” I ever read was Johnny Tremain and later, Witch of Blackbird Pond. But every week we watched Swamp Fox and Daniel Boone and then, my father was a huge history buff, so I can’t say if my love of historicals came from the chicken or the egg. I do know that those friends of mine who teach history or write of it read an historical, first.
My husband, however, developed his love of history through a non-fiction series his parents purchased a book at a time at the grocery store. He reads historical fiction now (usually about war and politics) but I think we develop our interests in different ways.
That’s why I feel it is so important for parents to augment the education our children receive in school by taking our children to museums, concerts, festivals, etc. And to supply books from different genre, which is what libraries often do in their summer reading programs.
I believe that the first “historical” I ever read was Johnny Tremain and later, Witch of Blackbird Pond. But every week we watched Swamp Fox and Daniel Boone and then, my father was a huge history buff, so I can’t say if my love of historicals came from the chicken or the egg. I do know that those friends of mine who teach history or write of it read an historical, first.
My husband, however, developed his love of history through a non-fiction series his parents purchased a book at a time at the grocery store. He reads historical fiction now (usually about war and politics) but I think we develop our interests in different ways.
That’s why I feel it is so important for parents to augment the education our children receive in school by taking our children to museums, concerts, festivals, etc. And to supply books from different genre, which is what libraries often do in their summer reading programs.
I believe that the first “historical” I ever read was Johnny Tremain and later, Witch of Blackbird Pond. But every week we watched Swamp Fox and Daniel Boone and then, my father was a huge history buff, so I can’t say if my love of historicals came from the chicken or the egg. I do know that those friends of mine who teach history or write of it read an historical, first.
My husband, however, developed his love of history through a non-fiction series his parents purchased a book at a time at the grocery store. He reads historical fiction now (usually about war and politics) but I think we develop our interests in different ways.
That’s why I feel it is so important for parents to augment the education our children receive in school by taking our children to museums, concerts, festivals, etc. And to supply books from different genre, which is what libraries often do in their summer reading programs.
I believe that the first “historical” I ever read was Johnny Tremain and later, Witch of Blackbird Pond. But every week we watched Swamp Fox and Daniel Boone and then, my father was a huge history buff, so I can’t say if my love of historicals came from the chicken or the egg. I do know that those friends of mine who teach history or write of it read an historical, first.
My husband, however, developed his love of history through a non-fiction series his parents purchased a book at a time at the grocery store. He reads historical fiction now (usually about war and politics) but I think we develop our interests in different ways.
That’s why I feel it is so important for parents to augment the education our children receive in school by taking our children to museums, concerts, festivals, etc. And to supply books from different genre, which is what libraries often do in their summer reading programs.
Amen! I feel so sorry for the kids whose parents don’t read or appreciate books so they never learn the joy of reading. And my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers and librarians who try to overcome this attitude!
Amen! I feel so sorry for the kids whose parents don’t read or appreciate books so they never learn the joy of reading. And my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers and librarians who try to overcome this attitude!
Amen! I feel so sorry for the kids whose parents don’t read or appreciate books so they never learn the joy of reading. And my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers and librarians who try to overcome this attitude!
Amen! I feel so sorry for the kids whose parents don’t read or appreciate books so they never learn the joy of reading. And my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers and librarians who try to overcome this attitude!
Amen! I feel so sorry for the kids whose parents don’t read or appreciate books so they never learn the joy of reading. And my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers and librarians who try to overcome this attitude!
That area around Dr Johnson’s house is great, Sonya. What an interesting place to grow up.
That area around Dr Johnson’s house is great, Sonya. What an interesting place to grow up.
That area around Dr Johnson’s house is great, Sonya. What an interesting place to grow up.
That area around Dr Johnson’s house is great, Sonya. What an interesting place to grow up.
That area around Dr Johnson’s house is great, Sonya. What an interesting place to grow up.
Thanks for the compliment to the Wenches, Sue! I loved historical fiction as a child. I wonder how many children are exposed to those stories now.
Thanks for the compliment to the Wenches, Sue! I loved historical fiction as a child. I wonder how many children are exposed to those stories now.
Thanks for the compliment to the Wenches, Sue! I loved historical fiction as a child. I wonder how many children are exposed to those stories now.
Thanks for the compliment to the Wenches, Sue! I loved historical fiction as a child. I wonder how many children are exposed to those stories now.
Thanks for the compliment to the Wenches, Sue! I loved historical fiction as a child. I wonder how many children are exposed to those stories now.
GMTA, Pat. My sons read fantasy fiction, which is similar, but not the same. But It did give them some history. They also liked Horrible Histories, but that’s different.
GMTA, Pat. My sons read fantasy fiction, which is similar, but not the same. But It did give them some history. They also liked Horrible Histories, but that’s different.
GMTA, Pat. My sons read fantasy fiction, which is similar, but not the same. But It did give them some history. They also liked Horrible Histories, but that’s different.
GMTA, Pat. My sons read fantasy fiction, which is similar, but not the same. But It did give them some history. They also liked Horrible Histories, but that’s different.
GMTA, Pat. My sons read fantasy fiction, which is similar, but not the same. But It did give them some history. They also liked Horrible Histories, but that’s different.