What are the most fun, memorable, interesting, exciting, and long-lasting learning experiences you have had? [more inside]
posted by Cygnet on Nov 20, 2009 - 25 answers

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

Did Borges read Schroedinger?
The arithmetical system of Tlön "states that the operation of counting modifies quantities and changes them from indefinites into definites."
The sequence of history makes it possible. Borges's omnivorous reading habits and academic/social prowess help the probability. Yet Schroedinger's initial obscurity in the matter makes it less plausible.
Google has done nothing to answer the vital question: did Borges hear about Schroedinger's cat before he wrote Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius? [more inside]
posted by es_de_bah on Apr 2, 2009 - 12 answers

I am looking for writings on mimesis in regards new, digital, hypertext and hypermedial technologies and cultures. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 16, 2009 - 7 answers

Help me identity this 1910s/20s/30s British poet (from precious little information). [more inside]
posted by taramosalata on Feb 14, 2009 - 3 answers

Seeking relatively well-known, canon-caliber fictional accounts of imaginary encounters between actual, historically significant figures -- especially encounters that could well have taken place, but which we know did not or remain undocumented. Philip Levine's poem "On the Meeting of Garcia Lorca and Hart Crane" typifies what I'm looking for. Mark Twain's _A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court_ does not (respectable evidence out there of a historical Arthur notwithstanding). The literary field is rife with examples, I know -- say, some novel casting Charles Lindbergh and Adolf Hitler into a tete-a-tete. But, ack, I'm drawing a blank. [more inside]
posted by taramosalata on Feb 5, 2009 - 31 answers

I recently read a novel which made me curious about attitudes toward contraception and abortion in the Edwardian United States, in particularly in New York City. [more inside]
posted by Phlogiston on Dec 28, 2008 - 7 answers

I've never read the Bible, and I'd like to. Which version should I read and what resources are good ones to help me understand and historically contextualize what I'm reading?
posted by arcticwoman on Oct 16, 2008 - 25 answers

LiteratureFilter: Yo metafilterland. I'm on a quest for two things: literary representations of the new york city subway, the more personal and sensorial the better, and literary representations of a new york city without subways, circa before 1904. Non-fiction and suggestions are welcome as well, as are examples that use less stringent definitions of "text" (film, song lyrics, dance etc).
posted by billtron on Sep 22, 2008 - 21 answers

Any battle where there were no survivors? Last two men standing kill each other as well? History preferred, literature accepted.
posted by IndigoJones on Aug 22, 2008 - 24 answers

When was the last time scholars discovered a previously unknown piece of literature from ancient Greece or Rome? Has it happened at all in modern times? If you were to speculate on the chances we'll ever rediscover another play from Euripides, Sophocles, et al, are there any relatively recent discoveries of new works from ancient Greek and Roman authors you could use as examples?
posted by mediareport on May 19, 2008 - 17 answers

Does anyone know of concise histories of imperialism and/or colonialism? These will be used for developing a 12th grade history/literature curriculum, so extra credit is available for those who can make a literature connection. Plus, books focusing on India and Africa will be appreciated.
posted by partner on May 16, 2008 - 12 answers

I am looking for writings on the infinity of definition. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Mar 13, 2008 - 32 answers

Can anyone reccomend good books, or documentaries, about Australia (history, culture, politics) written by people from outside Australia? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob on Feb 7, 2008 - 11 answers

How is the meaning of art and artefacts being altered by the methods we use to: Experience, Define and Preserve them... In other words, in what ways have technologies been used to experience, re-define and/or preserve art and artifacts? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 5, 2008 - 12 answers

Are there any reverse-chronological histories of culture? [more inside]
posted by electric water kettle on Dec 18, 2007 - 3 answers

Books about Burma? [more inside]
posted by UbuRoivas on Nov 19, 2007 - 17 answers

What was Anne Elliot's dowry? What if Sir Walter couldn't pay? [more inside]
posted by Methylviolet on Apr 25, 2007 - 6 answers

I am looking for well regarded books/scholarly papers about writing. Most specifically in the areas of Nonfiction (the essay style of article writing) and Children's Fiction (for a young adult audience). Any tips? Go as far and broad as you can. I'll be off to the British library tomorrow, so the sky is the limit. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jan 9, 2007 - 6 answers

Where can I find some fairly easy-to-read, factual books about historical events? Amazon is overwhelming and Google is unhelpful [more inside]
posted by angryjellybean on Nov 16, 2006 - 22 answers

'The Flâneur': What fascinating titbits can you add to my knowledge about this concept? Art, history, philosophy and literary theory links all welcome. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Oct 25, 2006 - 22 answers

Help me create a comprehensive reading list on American history [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Jul 17, 2006 - 37 answers

I'm on the hunt for sites and/or blogs about big ideas... Who wants to join me? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jul 9, 2006 - 17 answers

The Protagonist: What can you tell me? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jun 8, 2006 - 17 answers

The Great Books: where should I start? I seek timeless wisdom. [more inside]
posted by evariste on Feb 21, 2006 - 74 answers

Help me find alternative history books [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Dec 14, 2005 - 30 answers

There is so much literature out there. What are some of the highlights from the past 3000 years? My only requirements are that it's in English/English translation, and is generally though of as not depressingly boring. [more inside]
posted by parallax7d on Nov 21, 2005 - 31 answers

JewishHistoryFilter : Can anybody recommend a good book that dissects the common Jewish conspiracy theories and discusses their history? Extra points for readability. [more inside]
posted by afroblanca on Jul 16, 2005 - 21 answers

Have perceptions of time changed in the last few hundred years? Did people used to speak more casually about periods of time? I'm reading Jane Eyre, and Charlotte Bronte uses "ten minutes" in an odd way. I suspect she means (by today's standards) 30 seconds. Is this sloppy writing, cultural difference or what? [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Mar 28, 2005 - 20 answers

Does anyone have some good info on writer Langston Hughes, aside from obvious Google sources? Any information gotten off the beaten path? I'd love to get some relatively unknown info on him, if anyone has it, or some particulary good access sites/books. Writing a paper and am tired of following everyone elses footsteps with information access.
posted by codeofconduct on Mar 12, 2005 - 15 answers

I'm trying to learn about the Edwardian era especially (but not exclusively) in England, Ireland, and Canada. What excellent materials (fiction and non-fiction books, movies, websites, etc.) have you read and seen about this period?
posted by orange swan on Mar 1, 2005 - 17 answers

What are your favourite historical fiction novels? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay on Dec 11, 2004 - 46 answers