Note from James

I have adopted the air of a benevolent Santa Claus and 2025 will see you showered with gifts. Potentially!

Welcome, everyone who is new to these parts! We’ve had a few new subscribers, so hello to old friends and new alike. I hope Potentially Interesting Roman History, with its serious intent hiding behind a bunch of irreverent nonsense and naughty language, will find its way into your heart as well as your mind. This is what you get when a rather sardonic old British historian and writer ends up in America, trying to convince the Uppity Colonials to say ‘trousers’ and not to be so excitable.

But, while I have you here, how would you like me to write to you personally, occasionally, through the mail?

Yeah, no thanks. I’m just here for the free stuff, Coverley, my man.

No problem! Welcome! Carry on! I am happy to have people read what I write for free. Simply knowing that people are out there reading it warms the souls of my old boots. But how would you like free gifts?

Gifts? Well, now you’re talking there, fella! What did you have in mind?

Potentially Interesting Giftmail, that’s what! Unique one-off articles, written exclusively for you, electronic postcards with small historical points of interest, discounts on books, and even the chance to get your hands on some exclusive Potentially Interesting Roman History merch, all sent irregularly to randomly chosen paying readers, exclusively for subscribers on annual and monthly plans! You’ll get all the other stuff as well, like access to exclusive articles and the chance to have your questions about Roman history answered for definite (within reason!) All start from $5 a month. A PIG for only five bucks a month.

Potentially Interesting Giftmail is just one of the many benefits of being a supporting subscriber to Potentially Interesting Roman History, where you can tap a working academic historian on the shoulder and say, ‘Excuse me!? Do you have a minute? I have some questions?’ Yes, I have a minute. Fire away.

Every paying membership makes what I do possible: The great bells in the tower at Potentially Interesting Heights swing with gay abandon with every new paid subscriber. Your support helps me spread an understanding of how history can entertain, enrich, and enlighten people, including those who think they hate history. Plus, as it has always been my goal to bring history to people rather than people to history, with this crumbly old fossil around, you get to pick my brains to your heart’s content. Unless it’s 3 AM, but, to be honest, I’ll be awake, writing.

Dangnabbit, that sounds perfect. How do I sign up?

Easy, click the button below, and choose an annual or monthly, membership. If you don’t wish to be part of the Giftmail scheme at any point, just let me know, and I’ll take you out of the running. Otherwise, welcome, thank you, and I look forward to learning about some really cool history with you all.

Thanks for reading! If you’re stuck for a Christmas gift for a loved one, or for someone you hate, or if you have a table with a wonky leg that would benefit from the support of 341 pages of Roman History, my new book “The Compendium of Roman History” is available on Amazon or direct from IngramSpark at the link below. Please check it out by clicking the link below!