skip to main content

Reader's Paradise

Historical Fiction Course

12 years ago

Coursera has a free course on Historical Fiction taught by Bruce Holsinger from U of Virginia. Looks pretty interesting:

Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction
Bruce Holsinger

A unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction, for curious students, aspiring authors--anyone with a passion for the past. Read classics of the genre, encounter bestselling writers of historical fiction, and discover your own historical archive while interacting with a global community of interested readers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Historical Fiction Course

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

frances_md
12 years ago
merrywood, thanks for posting this. It looks fascinating and, while I have practically no free time right now, I signed up with the hope that free time will materialize.

I've not heard of Coursera before but they certainly have a wide range of courses.
J C
12 years ago
Didn't intend to sign up for this, but after reading the course description I have done so. Sounds like fun and I hope I can make the time to participate.
Related Discussions
'Dated' books -- a problem or not?
Q
Comments (27)
Martin, I agree with you about updating TV productions to suit a modern audience. We have just finished a 3-part version of "Kidnapped" on the ABC. Well done, but the promos featured Jamie saying "We'll have to stop meeting like this" and after Catriona shoots a man dead "I'm not just a pretty face!" I haven't a copy to check out if these phrases are in the book but I doubt it. Is it acceptable to do this to encourage a young viewer who might otherwise not fancy watching an old classic? I do love reading the old detective stories where the Inspector and his trusty sergeant catch a bus to the scene of the crime and have to find tuppence to use a call box to report to headquarters! So restful! Although I don't care for ladies in their fifties described as 'elderly' as Heyer did in one of her mysteries. Was that a nineteen-thirties outlook? Do other RP's in their seventies like me feel 'elderly' a fair description? Not these days, surely? BTW Referring to you missing out on the new Potter, won't there be a release to the Greek bookshops? I can see you braving the heat and traffic of Athens to get your 'fix'!
...See More
What, in your opinion, is the WORST book? (non-fiction)
Q
Comments (42)
ColorMe, the systems have been funky lately. Interestingly enough, the movement of tectonic plates was embraced earliest by some very strange people of the Von Daniken ilk (but a decade earlier.) I read all those books and enjoyed them mainly because they gave me permission to think about things in a new way. Most of what I read I didn't believe or agree with, but for some reason the plate tectonics stuff held. So, by reading some incredibly stupid book probably about the hollow earth, I learned enough about plate tectonics to dazzle a geologist with my learning a decade or so later. Go figure. Of course I've also learned enough stuff that is dead wrong to cure anyone's bedazzlement. My vote for the worst non-ficion would be the biography Sara & Gerald, of her parents Sara and Gerald Murphy by daughter Honoria Donnelly. These two incredibly interesting and exciting characters (according to two biographies Living Well is the Best Revenge by Calvin Tomkins and Everyone Was So Young by Amanda Vail) gave birth to a daughter who made them sound dull as ditch water.
...See More
Historical fiction set in the 'Wild West'
Q
Comments (19)
This happens to be my least fav genre to read (with the exception of Romance), however, my husband loves it and seconds the recommendation for Zane Grey, Larry McMurtry and Louis L'Amour. >Another book from that time was "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing." Read it and loved it Also check out the link below. It takes you to a thread of another book forum. I suspect you'd find a lot of ideas just browsing. Now, non fiction I've got: Any of the writings of Isabella Bird, an 19th century emigre in the midwest. The book I have of hers is a classic: A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains (1873, compiled and published 1960) Also a book by Joanna L Stratton called Pioneer Women:voices from the Kansas frontier. Here is a link that might be useful: literature of the wild wild west
...See More
My Historical fiction list--Long post
Q
Comments (71)
lacey-when you try to do several quick posts to one thread, the site does get cranky. all you need to do is change the text in the "subject of posting" box above the message box, and it will accept your subsequent posts. weird, but true! Lady Jane Grey is an enigma, and thus an easy subject to "historic-fictionalize." Carolly Erickson, whom I have enjoyed as a biographer for many years, has been seduced by the success of the Other Boleyn Girl series into doing one of Lady Jane...imho, greatly inferior to her bios of the Tudors. sigh.
...See More
kathleen_se
12 years ago
I signed up for it a few weeks ago. Coursera along with some similar sites makes it easy and free to take college level courses in a variety of subjects. You don't get credits, and of course all student interaction is online, but I'm exploring all kinds of things I didn't get a chance to do when I attended university. BTW, this is not a commercial and I am in no way connected. I've just enjoyed exploring areas I never would have thought of doing before.
J C
12 years ago
I just got the introduction to the course and have been looking it over. I am very impressed. A great deal of work has obviously gone into this and it is going to be fascinating. What a pleasure it will be to be able to take a course like this on my own time with no pressure to get a certain grade - and for free!

Related Stories

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Historic Manor House Regains Its Country Style

By Cathy Rebecca

A neglected 11th-century property is restored to its former glory as a traditional family home

BATHROOM DESIGN A Crash Course in Bathroom Faucet Finishes

By Change Your Bathroom©

Learn the pros and cons of 9 popular faucet finishes

KITCHEN DESIGN Soft Hues Create a Calm Mood in a Historic Kitchen

Mellow colors, curved edges and quality materials help this kitchen in a Georgian townhouse feel relaxed while functioning beautifully

ARCHITECTURE 5 Historic Arts and Crafts Homes With an Australian Spin

By Elements of Style

See how the elements of a celebrated international movement in architecture played out in a country ripe for change

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 6 Tips for Staging Historic Homes

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Putting a period home on the market requires a unique level of attention to detail. Here's how to preserve its historic appeal

Architect Ken Tate Reinvents Historical Style

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Modern interpretations of historical forms show this architect's keen eye for detail and reinvigorate classical style

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Modern Addition for a Historic Bungalow

By Mitchell Parker

A 1927 redbrick home in a downtown historic neighborhood of Phoenix gets a metal-clad modern addition

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Historic Concord Grapevine Cottage’s Charms Restored

By Becky Harris

This famous property had fallen on hard times, but passionate homeowners lovingly brought it back

BEFORE AND AFTERS Houzz Tour: New Life for a Historic Georgia Fixer-Upper

By Becky Harris

Renovation restrictions didn't limit a couple's enthusiasm for this well-sited Decatur home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Modern Addition Joins a Historic California Home

By Tiffany Carboni

Two design pros give their century-old home extra breathing room while boosting its energy efficiency

Sponsored

More Discussions

April Come She Will - and we keep reading

63

The Game Flowers in May

101

Hugo awards 2026

7

Dog days of August .....what book did you choose ?

70

OT........this will never pass my lips !

16