Influenced as child by conservative Christians. Influenced as a teen by conservative atheists. Influenced as a young adult by liberal colleges. Presently influenced by a practical wife.
Author influences include but not limited to, Robert Heinlein, Issac Asimov, Jayne Ann Krentz, J.R.R.Tolkien, Lindsey Davis, and Shelby Foote.
Books that I have reread many times, The Past Through Tomorrow by Heinlein, and The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien.
Book I recommend the most, The Cambridge Medieval World History, two volume condensed set.