Read less fantasy and more history. I recommend Laslett's "The World We Have Lost" (or its second edition, "The World We Have Lost Further Explored"), for a gl

Read less fantasy and more history. I recommend Laslett's "The World We Have Lost" (or its second edition, "The World We Have Lost Further Explored"), for a glimpse of life a mere 200 years ago. You'll need to pay close attention and read between the lines, though.