Which era of history fascinates you the most and why?

Medieval England

I was particularly interested in 1066 to the early 16th Century as it shaped our lives.

But I decided to write a history and started at 410 when the Romans left (I am also very interested in the Romans) and I hadn't realised how important Offa was just how crucial Alfred the Great actually was, and I have come across Aethelflaed (Alfred's daughter) and found she is as more important than her Brother who became King (Edward the Elder).

So I am now holding off writing volume two of my "History Of Medieval England and the English" and I will shortly (two to three months time) be publishing "England's foundation" as the follow up to Volume 1 of my History "Dark Ages to the Vikings 410 to 1050"

I am also fascinated by Elizabeth I and the Industrial Revolution, just a tad before your interest.

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My favourite period of history is probably between 1914 and 1945, in particular, the lives of the British in WW2, the whole of WW1 itself. I also enjoy the inter war years of 1919-1938 (the rise of fascism, Hitler Mussolini, etc.)

Then again I love learning about the cold war, and the civil rights movement. I believe that the 20th Century was very important for the world as a whole, and that's what makes it, for me the most interesting part of history.

There are many:

-Renaissance period

-1950s till 1980s

-the "Golden Age of China": Tang Dynasty

-the "Golden Age of India": Gupta India

-French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars

-1914-45: two world wars, Spanish influenza, Great Depression, rise of Communism and Fascism

-around 520s to 560s: many interesting leaders like Justinian, Khosrau I of Persia and Theoderic the Great (Ostrogoths)

-Babylon of Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar

-Persian empires of Sassanids and Achaemenid Empire

-Rome 1st century BC

-predynastic and early dynastic Egypt

-1860s-1910

I have many areas of History that I enjoy. Colionial America and the British influence cannot be denied of course; States then at the time were Provinces of course before the American Revolution. Then there are points in History between the American Revolution and the American Civil War that fascinate me which also includes the American Civil War. When the American Civil War started tactics of the Napoleonic age were in play and by the time the war concluded it provided a flash forward of trench warfare that would develop in the First World War. The Second World War is also an interest of mine so I have to say that Military History is quite fascinating to me of by gone era's. The Battle of Agincourt in 1415 is also an interest I hold along with 2 centuries later Polish King Jan III Sobieski and how he saved Germany in 1683.

One thing I reflect upon occassionally is how a very young 20 year old by the name of Winston Churchill first arrived in the US while he was enroute to Cuba in 1895; Queen Victoria was at the helm of the Empire then as we know. When he arrived by steam ship roads were still largely dirt, carriages were drawn upon, Henry Ford had yet to place the combustible engine to his 4 wheeled bicycle and the Dodge brothers were still builiding bicycles in Canada. Flashing forward then to his last visit to the US in 1961 his health had deteriorated to the point that when President Kennedy asked him to spend a couple of nights at the Whitehouse with air transportation to be provided; he had to decline the offer. The next day leaving the Onassis "Christina" he was flown from New York in a Boeing 707 that traveled 7 miles up into the sky and at a speed of 500 mph (or 805 kmh). Steam ship and carriage to the final jet transport in a matter of one life time. Something tells me he realized at this point that History had passed him by and that his contribution to the world was near an end (as we know now that it was).

What isn't to love about History? Great question....star coming....

For me it would be the Polynesian Expansion throughout the Pacific.

The Polynesians are barely given the credit that they deserve for the unparalleled navigation skills they exhibited. It's believed that they originated in Taiwan or another part of South East Asia and spread from there to settle nearly every habitable piece of land in the endless Pacific Ocean from New Zealand to Easter Island. I find their story to be the most captivating story of any people on the planet.

They were the first human beings to inhabit an area that has come to be recognized as Paradise on Earth. Lush virgin rainforest and jungles greeted them. They island-hopped their way across the widest expanse of ocean on the planet. They were the ones to settle the last great land mass to be discovered - the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Theirs is truly a history that is part legend, part myth and part adventure story.

Several:

- the Mongol expansion: my heritage, and very impressive

- the native South Americans (Mayas, Aztecs, Incas etc) pre-invasion: such a different way of living

- China throughout history: the inventions, the culture...everything to be honest

- 20th Century: just fascinating

The 20th century. A hundred years of change. Empires ended, Nations became great powers only to fall in a relative short time. Technology advanced.

Now.

Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. I mean, exponential growth is an understatement.

We are living in the most interesting of times.

No doubt.

Trainee Troll

Triton of Truth

Feudal Japan! Social norms were so rigidly enforced and everything was about show but everyone had their vices.

17th century.

Great changes that have had far more influence - and still do - on today's world than many people realize.