Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend is historical fiction but based on a real person. Something must be done about Prince Edward County is also good. It’s about a journalist who goes home to research the fight against integration during civil rights only to find her grandparents were instrumental in starting a white only private school. It’s a good mix of personal, family history and movement history. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is a historical novel set in antebellum South Carolina and based on the actual Grimke sisters (the history book on them is by Garda Lerner and also a really good read).
Don’t be fooled by the YA label for Most Dangerous. It is super popular with adults especial book groups. If you are old enough to remember the 70’s you will find yourself saying “How come no one knew this!?!” over and over
The Greater Journey by David McCullough. 19th century now-famous Americans travel to Paris to study medicine, art and sculpting. You’ll meet Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Singer Sargent, Samuel Morse and others as they struggle to excel in their fields of endeavor. An absolutely fascinating read.
I’m reading “CIty of Light, City of Poison” by Holly Tucker. It is about the first police commissioner in Paris during the Sun King’s reign – very well researched and factual, but it is about poison, witches, hucksters and mistresses too. Very sensationalist.
Following!
Any particular areas of study, either geographic or era?
Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend is historical fiction but based on a real person. Something must be done about Prince Edward County is also good. It’s about a journalist who goes home to research the fight against integration during civil rights only to find her grandparents were instrumental in starting a white only private school. It’s a good mix of personal, family history and movement history. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is a historical novel set in antebellum South Carolina and based on the actual Grimke sisters (the history book on them is by Garda Lerner and also a really good read).
Oh my gosh! There are so many wonderful ones these days! Pick a topic or era. This one is enthralling. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23310694-most-dangerous
Most Dangerous is on my TBR. Looks super interesting. And Ellsberg himself just came out with another book called The Doomsday Machine.
Don’t be fooled by the YA label for Most Dangerous. It is super popular with adults especial book groups. If you are old enough to remember the 70’s you will find yourself saying “How come no one knew this!?!” over and over
Fiction or non-fiction?
The nonfiction that made all of the best books of 2017 lists is Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders by David Grann https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29496076-killers-of-the-flower-moon?from_search=true
Code Name Verity, just finished today, women in the resistance in WWII and the bonds of friendship
I like novels set in the Civil War: Doctorow’s THE MARCH and Whitehead’s THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD come to mind.
Medical Apartheid was a good book talking about the treatment of African Americans and healthcare/medical experimentation throughout US History
I just finished “Behind Enemy Lines: with the OSS in Burma” by Richard Dunlop. Non-fiction / very good.
If you want a fun, funny and action packed historical fiction Under A Painted Sky is great. Anxiously awaiting the sequel. https://www.amazon.com/Under-Painted-Sky-Stacey-Lee/dp/0147511844/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515631784&sr=1-1&keywords=under+a+painted+sky+by+stacey+lee
The Nightengale is awesome.
Killers of the flower moon, very good nonfiction
I just finished Carnegie’s Maid and it was great. Told from the perspective of Andrew Carnegie’s mother’s maid. It was fictional but still good.
I like reading history too.
Best for me is GUNS, GERMS, and STEEL by Jared Diamond.
POLITICAL ORDER by Francis Fukuyama.
1776
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
For historical fiction, I love Lisa See’s books. I’ve learned a lot about China.
Pachinko was a great read!
For non-fiction, Kurlansky books are good.
Undaunted Courage by: Stephen Ambrose. Great Great book.
My fave genre
Anything by James Michener!
Agree
The Greater Journey by David McCullough. 19th century now-famous Americans travel to Paris to study medicine, art and sculpting. You’ll meet Oliver Wendell Holmes, John Singer Sargent, Samuel Morse and others as they struggle to excel in their fields of endeavor. An absolutely fascinating read.
Sacagawea by Anna Waldo It’s hard to find but an excellent book
Bernard Cornwell
Thanks didn’t really know where to.start
pillars of the earth, hawaii
Pillars of the Earth is an all time favorite. Do you mean historical fiction? Any particular places or eras?
Just anything I like readingabout how people lived what happened what was like etc
I am reading Goodbye Darkness, A Memior of the Pacific War by William Manchester. Its very good.Learning about so many thingd. Confiming WAR IS HELL.
Salt: A History of the World
Anything by Edward Rutherfurd (spelled with a u). I especially loved Sarum, London and Russka.
My favorite author!
I haven’t read anything by him in awhile, so I have some catching up to do!
@Roxane Sarum is my all-time favorite.
@Jenelle I know! That is why I can’t get excited about Pillars of the Earth.
@Roxane I really liked Pillars as well, but Sarum is something special.
Bellevue by David Oshinsky, fascinating
I’m reading “CIty of Light, City of Poison” by Holly Tucker. It is about the first police commissioner in Paris during the Sun King’s reign – very well researched and factual, but it is about poison, witches, hucksters and mistresses too. Very sensationalist.