The Logic Off Topic list

>
>i'm sure that my partially-informed opinion is not of very much value,
>though, when there are *hundreds* of authoritative books and articles
>available on this intensely complex subject --- if you're truly curious,
>there is a wealth of materials available for your edification.
>best,
>splattercell

I am  interested in this and have read some history books that seem 
to bear out basically what you said.  I am wondering if you could 
tell me any titles that might get me a little further along the road. 
I have looked before but the only material I could find was so dense 
it was just kind of too daunting for someone just like myself trying 
to get just a little toe hold on the subject