I love history. I’ve loved it ever since I could read. I read a series called “Bible History” that mom bought from a traveling salesman. While I can’t say that I’ve read every word of the Bible, I know the history thoroughly. My taste in history is fairly consistent. In the Bible story books, I loved kings and queens, and wars, and family tales. When I had my first history class in fourth grade, it was U.S. History, and I was fascinated with presidents and wars, and the rhythmic flow of events. I am interested in power and how different leaders wield it, both for good and bad purposes.
I can’t remember going to the library for the first time, but I was a frequent patron. I read lots of fiction, but I read so many junior biographies in grade school. When I was a safety patrol in sixth grade, my favorite duty was in the school library. Few patrons came in, and so I spent my hour reading voraciously the dusty biographies of Martha Washington, Dolly Madison, George Washington Carver, and the like.
And so it continued. I fell in love with French history in tenth grade when I read a biography of Marie Antoinette. This became a pattern for me. I read every biography, every history I could find on a particular period. I extended my interest to novels set in that period, or writers from that era. For example, I read Candide because I was obsessed with eighteenth century French history, and Pride and Prejudice when I was became fascinated with nineteenth century England. Most of the novels I’ve read have to do with a period of history that I’m learning.
People ask me what I read, they might as well ask me what music I listen to. I am all over the canvas of history. I try to read a book or two each school year concerning the subject I teach. With access to the internet, a whole new literary world has opened up, viewing websites on historical events. I am a avid, never satisfied reader. I also keep up with various news sites on the internet and subscribe to two newspapers. So it’s not just past history that I’m interested in, but history in the making.
My students know this. I freely reveal what presidents I’m obsessed with, and often express my anger at long dead monarchs and leaders who pursued the wrong course. For me, teaching history is like teaching a very long story. There are layers, and each layer contributes to the next. In scientific terms, each action creates a reaction. I love to see how something that happened centuries ago affects life today. Last night I watched a program on PBS, “The Ascent of Money”. Now I’m sure the ratings equaled the Jackson memorial, no doubt. But anyway, I took what I learned on the program and attached it what I already knew, and gained by it. That is what I love about history. It’s really more intrinsic that practical, though I teach history. Sometimes I think I should change jobs and be a tour guide. Alexander the Great and Napoleon generally do not come up in normal conversations. That is a reason I enjoy teaching history, I can talk about it every day! But I love it, and no matter what goes on around me in this crazy world, I can always retreat blissfully into whatever century I choose and settle in.
Mary Frances, I truly think that I am your daughter! I love reading primarily because it transports me to a period in history; it’s not always the symbolism or some other literary element, but rather the history that so intrigues me about books. I’m wondering, if you had to pick your favorite time period, what would it be? I think mine would be the Georgian/Victorian period in England (they tend to overlap some in literature). However, I also love Tudor England and, for some reason I really can’t explain, Colonial America.
I find history from your perspective interesting. I wish that I’d had the chance to learn from you because I am sure that I would love it as much as you do.
Your last paragraph touched on what I love about teaching–you get to concern yourself with weird stuff no one else ever talks about.
The Maysle brothers made a documentary in the late ’60s about door-to-door Bible salesmen called Salesman. It is definitely worth checking out. Also there’s a book out now called Pride and Predjudice and Zombies which explores what 19th Century England would have been like if there were zombies.
You changed my the image of histyory teachers in my mind. You are fun, you have knowladge, you understand art that gives beautiful touch to your class, you collect artifacts to enrich students’ life, and you travel. Now I understand why you are such a wonderful teacher. You love history. You love teaching. and most important of all, you love life.
Shuang
I love history too. It is just like a long story. I have always liked historical fiction of the civil war and revolutionary war periods. They connect me to parts of American history that I love. When I read these books, I can imagine I am one of them, living through the balls, teas, wars, indians. Just reading this makes me want to go dig one of them out of a box or off a shelf and relive those stories again.
Have you ever read “O, Kentucky”? I can’t remember who wrote it, but I loved that book.
Beth
Wow! why couldn’t I have had you for my world history teacher? I remember when history first came alive to me: fifth grade, Mrs. Sloan’s class, we watched The Blue and the Grey and for the first time I saw people, emotion, love and beautiful dresses as a part of history. This love of history was short-lived when my nameless eighth grade teacher became obsessed with dates and the names of the counties in Ohio. History died that year.
Jennifer
Mary Frances,
I love history, too. Especially when it is about the daily lives of people. I would love to be able to be in your class.
Or maybe you could just recommend something great to read. Oh, and read the Bible – great history.
Hildegard
Wow, I have yet another reason to admire you. I love to read, but I must admit to not love reading historical pieces. But I do love to listen to someone tell me about them. I had a history professor at OUSC that was such an amazing story teller I had to record his lectures to go home and write up my notes. I would get lost in his lecture and forget to write. I bet I would love your class. I have a feeling you are a wonderful story teller.