Classic History Books you Must Read
History doesn't have to be boring, with the right choice of books you can bring history alive. Here are some of the best History books to read.
The Liberation Trilogy by Rick Atkinson
Rick Atkinson is well renowned for his writings on the wars of the world and they are a comprehensive account of the role America played in the wars.
What Is History? by Edward Hallett Carr
Although this book doesn't focus on a specific date or error in history, it does teach you how to read and understand history.
Battle Cry Of Freedom by James McPherson
One of the most comprehensive volumes written about the American Civil War.
1491 by Charles C Mann
In this book, Mann dispels the myth of Columbus's discovery and details the civilizations residing in America.
1776 by David McCullough
1776 unpacks the formation of the United States of America in an authoritative yet readable manner.
Precolonial Black Africa by Cheikh Anta Diop
A book that delves into the history of many overlooked African civilizations.
Over The Edge Of The World by Lauren's Bergreen
A look at the wild, amazing, crazy, and an adventurous three-year sailing trip around the world by Magellan in 1519.
A World Lit Only By Fire by William Manchester
A colorful look of the people from the collapse of Rome through the dark age and up to the Renaissance.
The Guns Of August by Barbara Tuchman
A look at World War One and the days leading up to the event.
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jarred Diamond
A collection of stories in a host of places based on factors like agriculture, disease, and luck. A fascinating collection of historical facts.
The History Of The Peloponnesian War by Thcydides
Written 2500 years ago this is a detailed description of the war between Sparta and Athens.
Parallel Lives by Plutarch
Classic biographies comparing the lives of prominent Greeks and Romans living in the second century AD.
The Battle For Spain by Antony Beevor
A comprehensive look at World War Two.
The History Of The Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer
A fast-paced yet thorough tour of the ancient worlds.
Daughters Of The Samurai: A Journey From East to West And Back by Janice P Nimura
A powerful read to understand the development of women's rights and the formation of global bonds through the story of five women from the East living in the West.
The Crusades by Thomas Ashbridge
An expansive examination of the crusades and the impact they had on the world.
This Is Your Mind On Plants by Micheal Pollan
A closer look at plants with regards to the effect they have on our minds, bodies, and society.
A History of the Twentieth Century by Martin Gilbert
Gilbert's history of the twentieth century covers almost every pivotal event in the 1900s.