In a critique of Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others) Slavoj Žižek asserts that "in all known cases of a married couple where a spouse betrayed a partner, it was always a man who became an informant." Famously, Ulrich Mühe, star of Das Leben der Anderen, asserted that his ex-wife spied on him for Stasi, though both the ex-wife and her supposed Stasi superior denied this. Other than that case, are there any examples of East German wifes informing on their husbands for Stasi?
posted by Kattullus on Nov 9, 2009 - 3 answers

What are some good books about the history of China, up to say the Qing dynasty? I am particularly interested in the Warring States period up to the first empire. Extra credit for discussions of the spread of Buddhism.
posted by shothotbot on Nov 8, 2009 - 7 answers

I am trying to come up with names of prominent business leaders through history who took major steps forward on environmental stewardship/protection. These should be industry titans who went against the grain in emphasizing environmentalism as part of their business model. Extra points if the person saw unexpected or un-predicted success as a result of their decision to "go green."
posted by carrolldamian on Nov 6, 2009 - 9 answers

Are there any professors in the Boston area (especially Harvard) that have an avowed interest in alternate history or have authored books (fiction or non) on the subject?
posted by UMDirector on Nov 6, 2009 - 9 answers

Where is the first coffee house in the world? [more inside]
posted by xanthippe on Nov 3, 2009 - 4 answers

When, why and where did people start putting crackers in their soup? [more inside]
posted by Lutoslawski on Oct 28, 2009 - 26 answers

At the end of World War II, would a Polish-ethnicity girl/young woman and her family from Lwów/Lviv have been given the option of moving west of the Curzon line to post-war Poland, or would they have been forcibly resettled? [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Oct 25, 2009 - 7 answers

Is there a Medieval Linguist in the house? I need a very short conversation between Cistercian nuns in Saxony translated into Medieval Latin. Any help so I don't sound like a complete idiot warmly welcomed. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 23, 2009 - 7 answers

Americans: if you had to represent the USA with only three things, what would they be? [more inside]
posted by lapsangsouchong on Oct 22, 2009 - 95 answers

How can I find out what sort of New Year's Eve events and festivities were held on December 31, 1899? I'm specifically interested in London, but other places would help too. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky on Oct 21, 2009 - 4 answers

Who were the highest ranking Jewish officers in the World War II militaries? [more inside]
posted by Joe Beese on Oct 21, 2009 - 20 answers

I enjoy vintage articles about the early days of the Web. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by starman on Oct 20, 2009 - 7 answers

I'd like to read a book about the Dreamtime of the Australians. I was kind of thinking about reading Chatwin, but these comments have made a little wary; I don't particularly want to read about another outsider's spiritual journey, and I don't want a New Agey attempt-at-universal-religion haphazardly mixed in with basic anthropological records. Can you recommend a solid book about Dreamtime?
posted by Greg Nog on Oct 19, 2009 - 10 answers

Suggestions for a very good one-volume book about World War I. [more inside]
posted by Postroad on Oct 19, 2009 - 18 answers

What publicly owned items/monuments/etc in the US were gifts from other nations? [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful on Oct 18, 2009 - 15 answers

I'm interested in Lebanon, (relatively) modern Lebanese history, Lebanese literature, and the Lebanese diaspora. [more inside]
posted by Fiasco da Gama on Oct 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Is there a documentary that contains basic info (+ maybe some cultural info) for every country in the world? [more inside]
posted by nnevvinn on Oct 16, 2009 - 5 answers

If you were giving a crash course on the history of Berlin 1933-1990, and you were limited to just a couple films, which ones would you assign? Documentaries preferred, and they must have some kind of English language option. [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Oct 15, 2009 - 5 answers

I need a significant event that happened during the Civil Rights Movement. [more inside]
posted by shesaysgo on Oct 14, 2009 - 11 answers

I need ideas for a piece of artwork to write about. [more inside]
posted by smeater44 on Oct 12, 2009 - 20 answers

On Tuesday I'll be showing a new arrival to New York City around for an hour or so in the late afternoon. He's interested in the city's history, particularly the Bowery/Lower East Side. He has seen all the major tourist stops and I'm completely ignorant of the latest cool/interesting/weird spots downtown and most places have the lifespan of mayflies. Any ideas on how to prepare an awesome, emergency walking tour? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 11, 2009 - 12 answers

Why don't we have a great railroad system in this country? [more inside]
posted by birdwatcher on Oct 8, 2009 - 40 answers

Long-lost childhood books: a history book printed after one of the World Wars. I don't know the title or author, but I'll tell you everything I remember. Hivemind, please help me find it! [more inside]
posted by cmyk on Oct 8, 2009 - 5 answers

In the book I'm currently reading, City of Djinns, is this intriguing passage: [more inside]
posted by tellurian on Oct 7, 2009 - 6 answers

When and why in American history did reverence for the free market become caught up with christian fundamentalism? Was it a reaction to the coupling of atheism and communism or what?
posted by beerbajay on Oct 5, 2009 - 24 answers

By 1989 the boombox had established a fairly stable place in the pantheon of pop culture cinema, with the releases of both Do the Right Thing and Say Anything. Can you remember seeing (and hearing!) the machine in earlier films? I'm especially interested to learn its earliest appearances.
posted by billtron on Sep 26, 2009 - 16 answers

What are the best searchable sources for copyright-free historical and other images? I know about Wikimedia Commons, about searching for Creative Commons licensed material on Flickr, and about some regional repositories such as the Washington State Digital Archives (where I work). What other good sources are out there? Google searches lead me to subscription databases of stock photos.
posted by LarryC on Sep 25, 2009 - 9 answers

Drafty castles, stone construction, floors strewn with rushes, noble ladies' trailing gowns... Anyone who's read any historical fiction set in the Middle Ages is familiar with these popular Medieval motifs, but I have been troubled by a number of questions about these items. Perhaps we have some period history mavens who can ease my confusion? (Warning: Long! Strewn! Possibly moldy.) [more inside]
posted by taz on Sep 23, 2009 - 28 answers

What are your favorite books or websites about Philadelphia or heavily involving Philadelphia? Both historical or modern.
posted by LaszloKv on Sep 22, 2009 - 7 answers

I love living history museums- especially the ones with actors. I am lucky to be close to Old Sturbridge Village and Plimoth Plantation. What other ones are great??? [more inside]
posted by beccaj on Sep 20, 2009 - 22 answers

You live at Versailles in 1658. You're nobility of the blood. You know the King. What drugs, drinks, or other ways of getting totally fucked up are available to you? How often could you partake before people started to Have A Problem with it? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Sep 20, 2009 - 21 answers

Is there a formula related to the statement "What's old becomes new again"? As middle age encroaches, it becomes harder and harder not to see history recycled and repackaged whether fashion, music, etc... [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 on Sep 15, 2009 - 12 answers

How did rich European gentlemen on a "grand tour" of Europe in the 18th Century manage their finances? I can't imagine they carried enough money (or gold) to support months or years of travel--was there a system of banks they could use? Or credit notes? Also, how did they arrange to get their packages shipped home?
posted by mstillwell on Sep 13, 2009 - 9 answers

Books on everyday civilian life during the US Civil War? [more inside]
posted by imjustsaying on Sep 12, 2009 - 8 answers

TorontoFilter: I used to play chess all the time at the chess tables at Yonge and Gould before they tore them down about ten years ago. I know that these tables had a proper name. There was a City of Toronto plaque there that they removed about six months before they removed the tables. Does anyone remember what the official name was?
posted by 256 on Sep 9, 2009 - 2 answers

In the first half of the 20th century groups of scientists in United States created the first electronic computers, fitting big halls, they needed permanent assistance because of overheating and continuous repair. The price of the construction and the maintenance was probably huge. Having such a thing was expensive, it seemed to be probably a luxury what only very very few countries could afford at that time. BUT, there was a scientist who prognosed that at the end of the 20th century every country in the world will be able to afford such a machine. He was obviously true. Now every country has at least one computer. My question(s): Who was this person? Where and when did he told what he told? And the exact citation would be appreciated. I am very sure it was he, the club of computers was filled by gentlemen at this time I think. I don't know whether it was Neumann or someone else. Please help, I am very curious about this. I did not find the answer by myself, for sure you all now more. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by fifigyuri on Sep 9, 2009 - 6 answers

How many books are there in the world? [more inside]
posted by kandinski on Sep 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Recommend me some good history podcasts! [more inside]
posted by tim_in_oz on Sep 3, 2009 - 17 answers

What resources (films, books, websites) can I share with my 13 y/o daughter who has expressed a recent keen admiration and care for the American soldier from the Vietnam War era to the present? [more inside]
posted by keith0718 on Sep 3, 2009 - 22 answers

I am working on republishing a 19th century memoir but I have come across a few terms I don't understand. Please help me figure out if they are typos in the original manuscript or real terms. [more inside]
posted by clockworkjoe on Sep 2, 2009 - 22 answers

Best digital audio recording device for elderly people? [more inside]
posted by 1001 questions on Sep 2, 2009 - 6 answers

Four years ago, I asked if there was a way to get Eduardo Paolozzi's short film The History of Nothing on DVD, but there wasn't an obvious answer. I was wondering if things have changed. [more inside]
posted by eschatfische on Sep 1, 2009 - 2 answers

Suggestions for books on Maine history and culture, non fiction preferred but not a necessity. This would be for a person traveling to Maine in the near future, will be spending time on the coast and in the great north woods.
posted by flummox on Aug 31, 2009 - 15 answers

What was grandpa doing in the ice-age? [more inside]
posted by BadMiker on Aug 31, 2009 - 7 answers

What's the origin of the joke about the long, long table? [more inside]
posted by Melismata on Aug 30, 2009 - 6 answers

Book identification filter: Help me find a WWII history book with a bright orange cover. [more inside]
posted by snowleopard on Aug 26, 2009 - 5 answers

BookFilter: I'm looking for a concise book on the history of Britain (prehistory to modern day), any suggestions?
posted by nam3d on Aug 26, 2009 - 12 answers

When did grain threshing become steam-powered? [more inside]
posted by tnygard on Aug 25, 2009 - 10 answers

"The United States is in no sense founded upon the christian doctrine." is often attributed to George Washington. Where did he say this? Google turns up many unattributed versions of this quotation, but I couldn't find any attribution or source. Anyone able to do better?
posted by ivey on Aug 24, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm looking for books about Italy, specifically Rome and Venice, and also books set in Rome and/or Venice. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by garlic on Aug 24, 2009 - 19 answers