When I was at school half a century ago history bored me witless. It was all kings, treaties, wars, royal marriages and archbishops.

Also, it's in my nature to look forward to possibilities for improvement (Star Trek fan here) and not backwards to restriction and bigotry (historical novels, for example).

Moreover, I've always disliked or hated politics.

So, it's with great surprise that I find I've become a huge fan of both Heather Cox Richardson and Dr. Joanne Freeman, both American historians who discuss and comment on current events in US politics, calling on their vast knowledge of how the US was created and what ideas shaped it.

I've learned so much about why the US is as it is today.

Alarmingly, I find I understand more too about how NZ politicians are tapping in to ideas and policies also often being espoused by the corrupt leaders of today's US.

Staying tuned …