Why We Love Historical Fiction!

Historical Fiction / Why We Love Historical Fiction

Why We Love Historical Fiction!

by Daniel Mills

The majority of the titles that we republish here at Salem Ridge Press are historical fiction. I have always loved historical fiction and believe that it is one of the best ways to study history. While textbooks can cover everything in a thorough and complete manner, historical fiction can bring the textbook to life. It is so easy to forget that history is really made up of the stories of individuals with the same hopes, dreams and fears as we have. Historical fiction can bring these people to life and help us care about history. The very best historical fiction will do even more. It will help us understand what led to the events of history, what effect those events had, and what we can learn from them.

Over the years I have read hundreds of historical fiction titles. They were usually carefully researched, well-written, and interesting, however, many times after I finished a book, I had only a vague idea of how it fit into the bigger picture of history. In light of this, many of our titles feature added historical notes, timelines and maps. Our goal is to republish some of the best historical fiction ever written and then make it even better by helping to place it in its proper context.

So, whether your family chooses to use textbooks or not, I would encourage you to include some historical fiction in your studies. It complements any method of study, making learning memorable and enjoyable.

(This article first appeared in our October 2008 Newsletter)