Question: What value has a reference book? Why, for example, consult a scholarly history encyclopedia?
Answer: Encyclopedias are two steps removed from the primary source evidence, that is from the letters, diaries, oral histories, and other first-hand accounts of history. Encyclopedias are instead based on secondary sources. For that reason, encyclopedias and other reference works belong to a class of information sometimes called tertiary sources by librarians.
In short, the reference works listed here are a great way to begin any history-related research project!
The companions listed below introduce students to various aspects of the ancient world as well as the scholarly literature (historiography) on those topics. Highly recommended!
See the separate LGBT+ History and Literature libguide for more help researching LGBT+ history.
For specific wars, scroll down!
For specific wars, scroll down!