Hmm, with a name like that, who'd have guessed? Actually I do very well in history. Got a good grounding back in my homeschooled days, read a ton of historical stuff and for some reason it all just stuck. I'm actually shakiest when it comes to the period between WW2 and my birth, mostly because most teachers and authors alive today lived through that time and don't have a problem keeping it straight. Thus, they assume everyone knows what all the acroynms stand for, and who succeeded whom in the Soviet Union, and don't explain things.
Anyway, I love history, it's one of my hobbies. Next semester I'm taking a class on Rome - I think I know where to turn if I need help there!
Glad to be of service, I am strong on Rome from the time we have records, up through the Emperor Justinian, and have a basic familiarity with the remaininbg 900 years of Byzantine history. I am strongest from the time of the crisis of the Republic, starting mid 2nd century BC, through the Antonine Emperors (last two Marcus Aurelius and Commodus). Since I have been alive during more of recent history than you, and started becoming aware of Soviet leaders at the time of the death of Stalin, would be happy to discuss it in freepmail, if you would like?