European History

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What's Here For You?

This site is available to everyone, although there are two obvious qualifications: being able to read English and having access to the net. There is thus a large and diverse group of interested people, from many different backgrounds with varying requirements. This page is a brief guide, to address the matter of 'target audience'.

It is very easy to sound patronizing when describing someone's level of interest in a subject, but the content of this site is targeted towards anyone with a non-professional interest in history, from the casual reader, through students, to the committed lover of history. If you only have a passing interest in European history you will find many links providing brief introductions or overviews on subjects, and a forum where you can ask questions. Equally, if you are already well read, then there are links to discussions and articles that might interest you, and the opportunity to debate many different historical ideas. My own articles will attempt to tread a central path, providing both introductory and discursive material. Additionally, the site will grow to include glossaries, timelines and biographies, providing a ready reference source.

If you are an individual studying for a qualification - this definition may seem unnecessary, but in one grandly overwrought way even Professors are still students of history - the same resources are available, and hopefully useful. Experience has shown me that there are a small number of students visiting sites like this, trying to find ready-made essays. Even if I were inclined, such a resource is impossible to provide, because good essays need to reflect subject, title and the actual author. Fortunately, these people are in a minority.

The links and articles on this site are not aimed at final year or postgraduate students of later European history and neither are they likely to be. The Internet's content doesn't yet extend to the plethora of journals and texts needed for advanced historical study, and where such material is available access is usually limited through university systems. Although the Internet is a vital part of some higher level study, especially for subjects like international politics, historians must look elsewhere for their sources. However, and I cannot stress this enough, this site still has something to offer you. The forum and chat rooms are available for all levels of discussion, on any topic you wish (within certain boundaries of taste and decency!). Equally, because European history is such a large subject, you will find material on this site from outside your specialism.

I will always consider suggestions and criticism, and if the site doesn't cover your interests, please write to me and say so. I can't promise to meet everyone's needs, but this is a community resource, and a large demand for certain topics will always be recognised.

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