Here’s this week’s question from Booking Through Thursday.
Given the choice, which do you prefer? Real history? Or historical fiction? (Assume, for the purposes of this discussion that they are equally well-written and engaging.)
Historical fiction is my favourite genre of book. If I’m reading real, factual history (even when it’s well-written) I sometimes find it boring, whereas historical fiction helps to bring the past to life in an entertaining, enjoyable way. I often find I learn a lot about historical events through reading fiction. However, it’s important to remember that it is fiction and not necessarily 100% accurate.
I very rarely read non-fiction, so if anyone would like to recommend some well-written and engaging history books it would be very much appreciated.
What about you? Do you prefer real history or historical fiction?
She Reads Novels 
That’s a good point, Dave. When I read historical fiction I often look in another book or on the internet to find more information on the historical event or person I’ve been reading about.
I’m far happier with historical fiction because of the entertainment factor.
If there is some historical ‘fact’ within this fiction that I disagree with or that counters something else I’ve read I can always go to an historical text to verify or disprove … and then use that in some story I might write sometime in the future.
Dave
http://www.dmmcgowan.blogspot.com