Hello Fellow Historical Fiction Addicts!

Antoine Vanner · Post by **Antoine Vanner** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 8:34 am

All:

Sitting with a mug of coffee in my kitchen in Southern England and looking out on a wet garden and at a family of four squirrels stealing the grain off the bird-table, while the birds wait their turn on nearby branches, makes me wonder who else - and where - I might be reaching by this message.

History has always been a main interest - especially Post-Reformation and withe an emphasis on European interaction with other societies. I know the 19th and 20th Centuries very well, with special emphasis on the 1850 to 1900 Colonial period. The fact that I've lived and/or worked in all continents except Antarctica has given me a particular interest in the latter. I am fascinated by the power-politics of the nineteenth century and by the rapid technological advances, especially as regards naval warfare. This said I'm also reasonably well-briefed on the late Roman Republic and Empire periods as well as Medieval history. Being a member of the London Library, the largest (and best!) private library in the world, is a special joy and my choice of an area to live in retirement was in no small part decided by being close to it.

This is a bit of a ramble - time to stop! I'm currently reading the "Jungle Novels" of B.Traven, the mysterious author of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", and which deal in heart-breaking detail with the immediate pre-revolutionary period in Mexico. I've also just finished a book which unravels the mystery of Traven's identity.

And a Parthian shot - the best historical novel I've ever read is Zoe Oldenbourg's "Destiny of Fire", about the persecution of the Albegensians. It is almost too painful and moving to read but doing so may change your estimation of the value of human life, and of what is important, forever.

I hope I haven't bored you - have a great day: Antoine

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 10:33 am

Hi Antoine and welcome to the boards from a fellow South East Englander!

I'm also a bird-table watcher, well bird-feeders as we had to take the table down due to the mess the pigeons made of it....we also have several squirrels who squabble all the time, it's fun to watch though.

Have fun on here.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 12:21 pm

Hi Antoine, welcome aboard. I love watching birds, although where I'm at we see more crows, gulls and Canada Geese than anything else.

Antoine Vanner · Post by **Antoine Vanner** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 12:31 pm

Thanks for the welcome! It looks like a great site and I'll log in regularly.

sweetpotatoboy · Post by **sweetpotatoboy** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 1:26 pm

Hi. Welcome Antoine. Good to have you here.

If you're ever in London, there are a couple of historical fiction meetup groups you may be interested in. See my signature.

All the best
Justin

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 1:52 pm

Hi Antoine!

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 2:35 pm

Welcome Antoine! I get to watch cardinals and other birds in the middle of our Brooklyn urban sprawl. The squirrels like to dig up my garden and planters, so I'm frequently thinking about squirrel stew (a favorite of my grandparents who grew up in the wilds of Ohio.) Glad you can join us here. Lots of interesting people and great discussions.

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 6:24 pm

Nice to meet you, Antoine!

donroc · Post by **donroc** » Sat October 20th, 2012, 8:25 pm

welcome, Antoine, and enjoy.

Antoine Vanner · Post by **Antoine Vanner** » Sun October 21st, 2012, 10:59 am

All:

Many thanks to all who welcomed me to the site for the first time yesterday!

I hope you enjoy some good reading this weekend.

Best Wishes: Antoine

Historical Fiction Online

Hello Fellow Historical Fiction Addicts!

Hello Fellow Historical Fiction Addicts!

Thanks for the Welcome

Thanks to all who welcomed me!