I’ve been trying to figure out what specifically about the last several historical nonfictions I’ve read is so appealing to me. They are all written by women, which I find interesting. They are all done as more of a story than a recounting of facts, but are chock-full of information. Each one feels intimate.
With all of this, it dawned on me that these books are like being told a tale. Almost like a conversation. I’m not just learning about Lister or Victorian surgery, but about everything that influenced the man and the profession. Nothing exists in isolation. Without discussing ever increasing populations, poverty, industrialization, societal ideologies, random accidents, family relationships, class, and more, you lose the importance and scope of these historical achievements and events.
I have always had a passion for understanding history, yet have constantly struggled with the dry, monotonous, and boring sources. I need the full kaleidoscope of influences to really grasp the content. I need the whole human story.
The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris has been immensely enjoyable and I’m slowly making my way through it. I keep recommending it to anyone who seems interested!
The Accidental Domestic Goddess 