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(StatePoint) It may have been many years since you picked up a history textbook. And if so, who can blame you? History can seem dull when told as a listing of facts and dates. But learning about times gone by can be a worthwhile pursuit — whether you want to be better prepared to help your kids with homework or to beef up your own store of knowledge.
Luckily, there are much more fascinating and engaging ways to become a history buff than by reading a standard textbook. To make history come alive for you and your family, consider the following:
Historical Fiction
Revisit and rethink historical fact with inventive fictional novels inspired by true events. Historical fiction can be a fascinating way to get acquainted with history.
Check out one such new read, “The Lusitania Conspiracy,” which explores events surrounding the infamous sinking of the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner, and at the time, one of the world’s fastest and most luxurious passenger ships. In time for its 100th anniversary, history buff and author Ron Walters details a series of intense events involving mystery, murder, and perhaps even crimes against humanity, offering one possible explanation as to what occurred so long ago on May 7, 1915.
According to Walters, the truth behind the sinking, which involved the loss of 1,200 lives is “the greatest story never told.”
“The story of the Lusitania has been overshadowed by the Titanic’s sinking for nearly 100 years, even though it’s far more interesting and intriguing,” says Walters.
Though it is fiction, the book is based on real events and features historical figures. After enjoying the novel, you can look forward to a film version, currently in the works. For more information, visit www.thelusitaniaconspiracy.com.
Take a Vacation
The next time you travel, take an opportunity to get more deeply acquainted with your destination by learning about its history. Were any battles fought there? Did important figures spend time there?
Almost every location has an interesting story behind it and seeing where an event took place can help bring facts to life and shed light on a story.
Consider planning a family vacation around an historical site like Gettysburg, site of one of the largest battles of the Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. Or you can visit a place like Los Alamos, home to the Manhattan Project during World War II. There are many destinations with historical meaning that can be explored by your family.
Make it Personal
History extends beyond the famous and infamous. Everyday people have interesting stories to tell as well — including your ancestors.
Delving into your own family’s past is now easier than ever, as there are online services that can help you search historical records and documents to piece together your story far into the past. Supplement your research by conducting interviews with relatives and record the sessions for posterity.
History is not meant to put you to sleep. By seeking out more vivid interpretations and retellings of the past, you can make it come alive.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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