[rm_-rf_slash]

Can't imagine why you were downvoted for this. You're spot on to read very old books; my godfather - a historian - insisted on reading books only written by dead people. He may have been a salty old man for the time that I knew him, but he was never unhappy.

I have recently begun listening to a LOT of classical music. Every time I casually new-tab over to YouTube and load up a Tchaikovsky playlist, I think to myself: "Not even the richest kings of Renaissance Europe could instantly summon a complete orchestra and hear a composer's entire repertoire played perfectly every time - yet that can be my reality whenever I wish."

Really reminds me I have so much to be grateful for.

[sevenless]

Probably because it came across as pretentious.

Recommendations on good history books?

[rm_-rf_slash]

Herodotus's Histories is probably the best place to start. Maybe 50% of it is accurate, as it was common among historians of the day to create functional exchanges of historical figures to simulate the debate of ideas, such as the Persian Magi debating on the kind of government Persia ought to have, between aristocracy, democracy, and autocracy.

Also, and while it is very very modern, John Green's Crash Course World History (and US history) is a great place to start so you have context when you delve deeper.

[fit2rule]

>Recommendations on good history books?

Any and all.