Well what do you know, history can be entertaining.

I hated history as a kid. In general it was the books full of facts, figures, and dates. Not really my cup of tea. Sure I knew the word basically meant 'his story' or a narrative. And I loved stories. But honestly what history book has any relation to a story? (ok maybe the amount of fiction included?)

Alright I peeked at a dictionary Define History

Apparently it is not until definition 5 we get a hint of 'interesting'.
"a past notable for its important, unusual, or interesting events: a ship with a history."

The second definition sums up a history class right quick "a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle: a history of France; a medical history of the patient."

Continuous and systematic, not the way to sell a book folks.

If you haven't drifted off to another (less systematic) website yet, I would like to suggest dictionary.com has it all wrong. And as a kid I had it right. History should be a tale, or narrative. (While still trying to keep the fiction elements to a minimum)

We are reading a book now about English history. Now I really need to find one about Frances history to compare notes, but regardless I never thought a history lesson on a battle could be interesting till I found this book.

Battle of Crecy

Aside from giggling all the while reading about armies that wont stop, and peasants that muck up the works, and why the Prince of Wales (that isn't ever Welsh) has a German motto (from a Bohemian king of course). We might have actually learned something important.

Like why armies need to do as they are told!

No I didn't look up what the dates of the battle were, and No I don't know where in France Crecy is (was?). Though both are useful tidbits. I am not sure they are half as important as the lessons in bravery, courage, and listening to orders. And besides, I had a toddler to tuck into nap, a couple sons to chase out to the store (we are OUT OF PEANUT BUTTER!) and a daughter to .... hmm what is she doing anyway?

So the date and place will just have to wait.

Besides when he said "those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it" I highly doubt he meant the cycle of exact dates would revolve around again. (or places for that matter)