I didn't like high school lectures, either. But, I had some great college lecturers. Mrs. Stein, my history prof, really made things come alive. It was almost as though she'd seen those battles herself! (And, given her age, she might have.)
And, I took notes, using a personalized system of notescript, a sort of shorthand. It allowed me to quickly go over just about everything said, which gave great results come test time. I still have my notes.
Has Ian heard Dan Carlin"s "Hardcore History?" Carlin is a great lecturer.
I still go to public lectures, and have given a few myself.