What is the best example of a historical setting?

There's no single "best" historical setting, as what makes a setting great depends entirely on the story you want to tell. However, some historically rich settings consistently inspire writers and readers alike, including:

1. Ancient Egypt:

* Appeal: Rich culture, powerful deities, ancient mysteries, vast deserts, iconic monuments like the pyramids.

* Examples: "The Mummy" (film series), "The God of Small Things" (novel), "Cleopatra" (play by Shakespeare)

2. Victorian England:

* Appeal: Industrial revolution, social upheaval, class divisions, romanticism, gothic atmosphere.

* Examples: "Jane Eyre" (novel), "Dracula" (novel), "Sherlock Holmes" (stories and films)

3. The American Wild West:

* Appeal: Frontier spirit, cowboys and Indians, lawlessness, gold rush, saloon brawls.

* Examples: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (film), "Lonesome Dove" (novel), "Deadwood" (TV series)

4. Medieval Europe:

* Appeal: Knights and chivalry, castles and dungeons, feudalism, religious conflict, legends like King Arthur.

* Examples: "Game of Thrones" (TV series), "The Lord of the Rings" (novels), "Ivanhoe" (novel)

5. The Renaissance:

* Appeal: Artistic and intellectual revolution, rediscovery of classical learning, rise of humanism, bustling cities like Florence and Rome.

* Examples: "The Merchant of Venice" (play by Shakespeare), "The Name of the Rose" (novel), "The Age of Innocence" (novel)

6. 1920s America (The Jazz Age):

* Appeal: Flappers, Prohibition, jazz music, economic boom, societal change, social experimentation.

* Examples: "The Great Gatsby" (novel), "Chicago" (film), "The Roaring Twenties" (documentary)

7. World War II:

* Appeal: Global conflict, heroism, sacrifice, espionage, resistance movements, wartime romances.

* Examples: "Saving Private Ryan" (film), "The Diary of Anne Frank" (documentary), "All Quiet on the Western Front" (novel)

8. The Cold War:

* Appeal: Nuclear threat, espionage, political tensions, the Space Race, social anxieties, rise of counterculture.

* Examples: "The Americans" (TV series), "Dr. Strangelove" (film), "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" (novel)

Ultimately, the best historical setting is one that is authentically researched and skillfully crafted to serve the needs of your story. You should choose a setting that resonates with you and sparks your imagination.