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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TheSword" data-source="post: 9189163" data-attributes="member: 6879661">Not a professional historian, but I studied a Masters degree. So take this with a pinch of salt. I’m also not at all familiar with academics around ancient history so may be relevant to that maybe not.Lots of stuff said already is very valid. I would just add a few extra things to consider. Assuming you’re reading modern history books there are a few major trends that have altered historiography (the study of historians and their methods).- Marxism. Had a big impact on perspective - looking at the lives and impact of events on ordinary people (history from below) not just the very rich and famous which tended to consume previous history books.- Feminism. Started looking at the impact of women in history and how women were effected by events. often overlooked before by historians.- Black history and the wider topic of colonialism examining the lives of black people, indigenous people or indeed any ethnicity not currently considered seriously.There are other movements like these ones, these are just the three I was taught about. But it just goes to show that history is more than just regurgitating facts. It involves making decisions on impact and that requires assessment and perspective.Aside from these there are often big discoveries (or small discoveries that make big impacts) on a particular topic. That might cause historians to re-evaluate. If they’re still alive then often a writer will sometimes release a new edition if it’s possible to or relevant. This is very hard to know in advance without knowing the topic very well. Obviously the more recent the book the more likely it is to take into account these bits.A few things I would look at. What is the date of publication. If it was earlier it may not be considering history from below or the impact of women. Even later books may not be considering the impact of ethinicity. Look at up to date academic reviews (as opposed to google) to see the treatment of new discoveries or lack of.All that said, there are some big books that have stood the test of time that make excellent primers. Sometimes more recent books are just filling the gaps that haven’t been written yet and can sometimes focus on one area under the assumption that the facts in the preceding works are already known. These issues tend to crop up the more academic the work is. If the author has written a preface it will normally address issues like this though, or sometimes in the first chapter.TLDR. There was a point at which your history book was almost guaranteed to be written by a rich, white man. It doesn’t mean that weren’t a great historian or writer. Its just means elements of what they’re writing about might need to be reconsidered in the light of progressive movements or new discoveries.All of these things doesn’t mean a book can’t be an enjoyable read. It just means you have to be aware you might not be getting the full picture. Sometimes it’s good if you have time and inclination to read an alternative. For instance I’ve just finished reading this week the excellent ‘Napoleon the Great’ by Andrew Roberts. I’m now looking for a slightly more critical version for a different perspective. Anyway have fun with it, it’s a great subject.</blockquote>

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