Favorite history books
Posted By CarrieK on May 14, 2009
In spite of the fact that I mostly talk about fiction here on Books and Movies, I do read non-fiction of just about every type except self-help books, which I despise.
1776
McCullough chooses to focus on one year of the American Revolution, and describes the military strategy, the troop conditions, and the leaders on both sides of the conflict.
A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599
Another book that focuses on one year in history. In this one, Shapiro looks at the year that Shakespeare penned Henry the Fifth, Julius Ceasar, As You Like It, and Hamlet. He shows how the British politics and conditions of the time informed each of these works.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
This book could be subtitled “What your teachers and the textbooks didn’t tell you.” I was amazed to discover how ignorant I was of the story of the Mayflower and its passengers – it goes so far beyond the story of the first Thanksgiving.
Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest
After watching the mini-series adaptation of this book – which is one of my husband’s all-time favorite movies – I decided to check out this book so I could read the afterword to discover what happened to the men of Easy Company after the war. I ended up reading the whole thing. Ambrose is a writer first, a historian second. I don’t mean he takes liberties with history, I mean his writing is very accessible and draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. The story of these men and their valor in the face of horrific circumstances is extraordinary.
Which books on history are your favorites?
Related posts:
Favorite books on reading and writing
Favorite historical fiction
Up next week: favorite memoirs.
I don’t read many non-fiction books, so was surprised I had actually read one of your selection – 1599. It was OK, but I think my problem is that I find non-fiction books very dry. I need a bit of emotion in my books to make them enjoyable. Unless I’m really into the subject then the writing must be amazing to hold my attention.
I am loving Battle Cry Freedom, which I am reading at the moment – it’s on the American Civil war, and as I know next to nothing about it I am finding it fascinating.
I love these list posts you do – thank you!
I just want everyone to know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE “Mayflower”. Normally, I find history books insanely boring, but had I been blogging when I read this one, it would have possibly made my top 10. I have a friend who is a decendant of someone on the ship (I can’t remember the name offhand, but he is mentioned in the book – the barrel maker). I couldn’t give the book a higher recommendation!
I am enjoying John Adams by David McCullough and am thinking that I want to read 1776.
Mayflower sounds like another non-fiction book that I should put onto my list.
I have seen the Band of Brothers mini-series…thinking the book I should read.
I do not read much non-fiction so I do not have any suggestions except…Read John Adams. I love the writing and am finding it to be very insightful.
Jackie – yes, some history books are very dry – that’s why I loved the Ambrose book – he really got to the heart of who these men were.
Sandy – It was very well-done, wasn’t it?
Deanna – I loved the mini-series John Adams, and will definitely be reading it soon.
ohhh…you’re such a trooper to get through 1776. i tried…and tried….and reshelved it, and will go back to it one day.
i love memoirs and look forward to next week’s post!
Oh I can’t stand self-help books either lol. I prefer historical fiction but all of these sound really interesting!
Nat – non-fiction history books are always harder to read – and take me a lot longer than novels.
Ladytink – I love historical fiction, too – I read much more of that than I do the non-fiction stuff.
I’ve read all those and loved them. John Adams is terrific. My husband is reading Band of Rivals now and says it’s a must read. I really like to read nonfiction every now and again.
Beth – I hadn’t heard of Band of Rivals – I’ll have to look that one up!
[...] over at Books and Movies has a great post up on her favorite history books. She has some good picks like Mayflower, by Nathaniel Philbrick and 1776, by David [...]
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[...] posts: Favorite history books Favorite books about reading and writing Favorite historical fiction Favorite memoirs, part one [...]
[...] posts: Favorite history books Favorite books about reading and writing Favorite historical fiction Favorite memoirs, part one [...]
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[...] Favorite history books Favorite books about reading and writing Favorite historical fiction Favorite memoirs, part one Favorite memoirs, part two Favorite contemporary fiction, part one Favorite contemporary fiction, part two Favorite contemporary fiction, part three Favorite children’s novels, part one Favorite children’s novels, part two Favorite YA fiction, part one Favorite YA fiction, part two Favorite graphic novels and memoirs Bookmark to: [...]
[...] Favorite history books Favorite books about reading and writing Favorite historical fiction Favorite memoirs, part one Favorite memoirs, part two Favorite contemporary fiction, part one Favorite contemporary fiction, part two Favorite contemporary fiction, part three Bookmark to: [...]