Having gone down with a cold, I've been staying indoors, and reading about the War of The Austrian Succession. A book with that straightforward title, by Reed Browning ( Professor of History, Kenyon College Ohio ), published 1994, was given to me by my good buddy Dave (aka St Cyr on Wheels), and seems an ideal introduction.
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| It does what it says on the cover |
My feeling is that having picked up armies from the period ( thanks to David Crook, the Eric Knowles estate and others ) and used them to rediscover wargaming, I really ought to be properly clued-up on the history of mid-18th Century Europe, so this is a pretty obvious starting point.
But the thing is, how to read? That might sound a silly question, after all you just open the book and start from page 1, don't you... But I want to try to 'study properly', and make sure it goes into my head - I have read a lot of books which have been jolly interesting and enjoyable while reading, but are then all-too-quickly forgotten: I want to become reasonably knowledgeable on the subject.
So, with this in mind I've tried to approach it like a course of study - and I decided that means... taking notes. Have not done that since school and university days, which is a long time ago - and my last experience of studying actual history was for 'O' Level (aged 14 to 16). I would have loved to do 'A' Level History too, but I didn't have any other good arts subjects, and the school would not allow a mix of arts and sciences - so I ended up doing sciences for 'A' Level and Degree, and saying goodbye to formal study of History. I assumed the science-y sounding degree was good for getting a job - but having said that, Dave and I met while doing the same job, and he had done a degree in Byzantine History! Ah, the Wild West of mid-80s IT recruitment..
Anyway, I've been simply using a notebook and pen - the book is quite conveniently divided into multiple sections within each chapter, usually about 4 or 5 pages each, so I've opted to read each section, and then make a synopsis of it in a few lines - maybe half a notebook page. Just for a laugh, here's a sample of my spidery notes (actually the handwriting is terrible, isn't it? Well, I was a bit under the weather!) :
I think it is probably helping me take on board the information - I think having to go back and try to summarise the important points is probably good brain training. However I am already wondering if the notebooks are the way forward - sadly, making notes on my computer might be a better idea, if only for legibility! Though that means a lot more 'screen time', which I was trying to get away from. I will persist like this for this book - 'I've Started, so I'll Finish' - and see how it goes. Next up for this topic really should by Christopher Duffy's 'Instrument of War', on the Austrian army.
So having said that, I wonder if anyone has thoughts on the best way to 'study properly'? I'd welcome any good advice, and it would be interesting to see if you have any hints, tips and clever tricks for absorbing and retaining the contents of books - while hopefully still enjoying the reading process, of course. It is meant to be fun, after all. Until next time, keep well, everyone.
I wouldn't personally expect too much from notes. After each chapter, one can close the book and ask oneself, e.g.:
ReplyDelete- what was the subject of this chapter?
- what argument(s) did it advance?
- what evidence did it adduce?
- is the argument convincing? Why (not)?
- what interesting/informative anecdotes/details did it include?
-what factual information have I learned?
- what new arguments have I encountered?
Thank you, 'anonymous'..(a teacher, perhaps?) Your list of questions is interesting, and useful. I have started by simply trying to summarise what is being said, but of course it's worth considering more deeply, as you describe.
DeleteI think (from experience) that anyone who has spent significant time away from the education system and then returns to what we might call study, in the first place has to learn how to learn again.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems to take a bit of time for the brain to get used to a daily ‘exercise’ of study and retention after an absence - what I mean is that we shouldn’t be surprised if in the first instance it doesn’t feel like we are getting anywhere - it will come.
Most study situations are geared up to the student retaining the information in a way that can in the near future be recalled to pass an exam / test or interview - without that dynamic and single minded objective, just studying for ones own education, is equally short term, but without that terminus.
Getting books on the kindle can be useful (I use iPad reader) because you can use a yellow highlighter to highlight important text, it makes re-capping much easier.
thanks Norm, good points. I think getting into a regular reading habit ( 'exercise' is exactly the right word ) is going to be essential. Indeed it is slightly different to school studies in that I am thankfully not aiming at an exam! So my motivation has to be simply the gaining of knowledge on a subject that interests me. Interesting point about e-readers - although I could be equally tempted to apply a highlighter pen to my book...
DeleteInteresting post. As a history teacher I must say that different students have different ways of learning. However, much of the learning comes through application of the knowledge. Unless you plan to write essays etc. this is not a way forward. What I might suggest as an option that suits me, is to consider those questions mentioned above for reflection and then make something tangible. Notes rarely work, it is too much like reading the book again. Try producing flow diagrams of events and developments, spider diagrams/mind maps to categorise information, and timelines to keep a grip on chronology. A personae dramatis may help to record and understand the players. You will never remember it all, but you will have sound reference material. Plus, if you note page numbers on your diagrams etc. then you can quickly refer back to your source if needed.
ReplyDeleteJust a small suggestion in a big area of education.
Many thanks Richard, that is a REALLY interesting response - and of course you are the expert on the subject. I guess I was going back to my 1970s schooldays, when the history teacher ( who was, incidentally, a wargamer!) simply stood in front of the class and pretty much dictated notes - the bad old days, no doubt!
DeleteI will try to make use of these ideas - I do think the flow diagrams, dramatis personae etc might be really useful.
p.s it occurs that for military campaigns, drawing sketch maps is also an obvious way to go!
DeleteRichard hits the nail on the head, for me. Great advice and suggestions. Distilling a work down to its essence is an art. Arts require practice and method. Creating illustrations, flowcharts, and graphics are means to making the topic stick.
DeleteEveryone may attack the problem differently and with varying results. I go through a similar exercise every time I pick up a new rulebook to learn. I pull out the essential bits and create a QRS for myself. Not only does this provide a product at the end of the process for reference but it allows careful scrutiny of the rules during the creation process.
Good luck. I enjoyed Browning, by the way.
Thanks Jon - yes, Richard's input is great. Your 'QRS' idea is pretty good too, I will try to use that!
DeleteWish I could add something useful to this, but Richard (above) has described the method I’d use. I’m able to remember stuff im interested in, up to a point, but it quickly fades without repetition or physically reinforcing the information somehow. In some respects my re enactment activities helped cement a lot of my ECW knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThanks JBM, your agreement with Richard is instructive in itself. I can see how the re-enacting would certainly firm up knowledge - but also allow you to challenge some of what you see in books?
DeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteAs hinted by other posters, there are many learning styles which supposedly play to your strengths:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles
Some of the issue is in deciding which one or combination of categories best meet your needs.
There are some general well accepted principles; writing things down increases the percentage of knowledge that is retained.
For me, simply enjoying the subject tends to make me understand and retain information. I also tend to read several books around the subject which helps to embed facts as they come from different directions as it were.
I found Browning a bit "dry"; Duffy's Instrument of War is also heavy going in places. His earlier books are easier reading IMHO.
Neil
Thanks Neil, I can see that 'learning styles' could be a topic all of its own..(!) I guess it comes down to 'what works for you' . Agree about enjoyment being a big factor, and reading around being a help - with the WAS I have already started looking at Duffy's book on Frederick's army for his summaries of the main battles involving the Prussians, as they come up in the Browning book. Browning is maybe a bit plain, but it's clear, and I am following it OK. I think some sketch maps may be made!
DeleteThat is interesting. Like yourself Dave my idea of study was to write copious notes which later on when revisiting felt almost like having to read the book again. Like you say we had teachers who would stand in front of the class and drone while expecting us to write it all down so that sort of method seemed like a given. I would like to go back to studying now I think, but it sounds from other comments on here like learning methods have evolved somewhat since then. I am very glad you are finding the book useful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave ( I assume it's you! ), interesting that you are in the 'old school' mode too. Perhaps we need to modernise our approach.. I guess if one found an actual course of learning to study formally, there might be advice from the tutor on likely methods. Indeed the book is gratefully received - just what I needed!
DeleteIt is indeed me! No WiFi in the trailer park that I temporarily call home so I am doing an awful lot of things on my phone and Anonymous was the only option it gave me. I do not claim to understand such things :-)
Deletecheers Dave, glad the move happened and hope all goes well! Off-grid? You'll just have to read a lot of books...
DeleteDavid -
ReplyDelete'Reading maketh a full man; writing maketh an exact man'. So quoth my high school headmaster more than 50 years ago. In my view writing notes as you are doing helps cement in the mind what you read. It is not necessary that the notes ever be read again - the act of writing is key.
Having said that, you might want to consider some of the other suggestions: tabulating events by date, perhaps, or theatre, drawing up maps or diagrams, listing or tabulating 'dramatis personae' and drawing links between people and between events. These can be referred to again, with cross references to the book(s) you have read.
The narrative might raise questions in your mind - just how 'Great' was Frederick II of Prussia? - then the search for answers can bring you lasting insights into the period you are studying.
Cheers,
Ion
Thanks Archduke, that opening aphorism is well-chosen. Equally, there are various ways of doing the writing part, as have been suggested by others, which will be worth giving a try. And indeed, questions about the greatness or otherwise of certain characters may well be stimulated...
DeleteI've recently completed that book myself and found it quite good. For better retention you need to do something with the information. Try making a timeline of the events described in the book, with a very brief description of each one. The act of condensing the information down to a simpler form should help make more connections in your brain and help to make the information more easily accessible.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark, I agree with your idea. In a way, even taking straight 'notes' ( in the form of a synopsis, in effect ) may be 'doing something' - but the timeline idea strikes me as good, and I can see it being made of several columns for the different theatres of war. I am finding the Browning book very worthwhile.
DeleteExcellent plan and great advice in the comments here. All the best with this project.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Thanks Alan! I had been guessing that you were the author of the first comment above - I wonder who that was, then?
DeleteNothing much to add - can’t trump a contemporary history teacher for best practice! Like you, our O-Level history teacher used the dictation method. I just crammed and crammed the notes into briefer and briefer notes until I could reel off stuff like “the Treaty of San Stefano 1878 was superseded by ……” in an endless list đŸ¥±. I think there’s something about the act of writing or drawing something that helps lodge information in the mind. Increasingly I find I only learn by doing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed that Browning book. That widened my interest somewhat from the Frederician sphere. I found Instrument of War a bit hard going in parts. Sections on how much the different areas of the Duchy of Austria paid in tax, for example.
Good luck with your studies David!
Chris/Nundanket
Thanks Chris, it looks like many of us remember the 'old school' methods! I do like the idea of using more diagrammatic things, timelines etc. And I am enjoying the Browning book - it seems sensible to start the history of the period from the beginnings of Frederick's and Maria Theresa's stories. I'll give 'Instrument of War' a go, at least..
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