It all hinges on the particular bent of your brain. I have to say that I learned history best when I had a history teacher that wasn't a douche. A history teacher that goes about it the right way can make all the difference in the world, or so I've seen. The majority of people that I've met who've come to loathe history have been people who were under the tutelage of a sadistic fiend who sucked all the fun out of history.

My teacher taught history like someone would teach story time. He taught it in a series of excited and epic stories that would detail some battles/wars or pivoting points in time. I've always had a fondness for history because of this and because of this, the largest part of my knowledge of history is self-acquired, through reading books, going to museums, watching specials and seeking out knowledge.

So really, a little of both, I suppose.

-Sin