Posts Tagged ‘Nonfiction’

A History Book for Every Reader

October 5th, 2023

Are you looking to expand your horizons and learn something new? Or are you a history buff who’s always looking for a book to satisfy your curiosity?

No matter your interests, we know that there’s a history book out there for every reader! From the history of the British empire to the social history of clothing, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn something new with these recommendations.


BudapestBudapest by Victor Sebestyen

“A compelling portrait of one of the most important cities in Europe. Full of sharp insights, elegant writing and vivid characters.” —Andrew Roberts, author of The Chief

A vivid and enthralling account of the historical and cultural events that defined Budapest, a unique city in the heart of Europe, on the fault line between East and West—from the critically acclaimed author of Lenin.

Buy the book


The Burning of the WorldThe Burning of the World by Scott W. Berg

“A brilliantly detailed account of the fire, filled with literary color.” —Newcity

An enrapturing account of the Great Chicago Fire’s devastating path and an eye-opening look at its aftermath, The Burning of the World tells the story of one of the most infamous calamities in history and the powerful transformation that followed.

Buy the book


EmpirelandEmpireland by Sathnam Sanghera

Empireland is brilliantly written, deeply researched and massively important. It’ll stay in your head for years.” —John Oliver, Emmy Award-winning host of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”

This lucid work of political history takes readers on an illuminating tour through the hidden legacies and modern realities of British empire, exposing how much of the present-day United Kingdom is rooted in its colonial past. This is a valuable read for Americans, arguing that in order to understand America, we must first understand British imperialism.

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The Declassification EngineThe Declassification Engine by Matthew Connelly

“A brilliant, deeply unsettling look at the history and inner workings of ‘the dark state’” —Eric Schlosser, New York Times best-selling author of Command and Control

If you want to learn more about the nature of secrecy within the United States’ government, look no further than The Declassification Engine. Using the latest techniques in data science, historian Matthew Connelly analyzes a vast trove of state secrets to unearth what the government does not want us to know and why they don’t want us to know it.

Buy the book


WornWorn by Sofi Thanhauser

“This is a must-read for anyone who takes fashion seriously.” —Glamour, “The First Great Books of 2022”

In this panoramic social history, Sofi Thanhauser brilliantly details the lifecycle of the clothes we wear and where they come from. Drawn from years of intensive research and reporting from around the world, Worn reveals to us that our clothing comes not just from the countries listed on the tags or ready-made from our factories. It comes, as well, from deep in our histories.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book


PapyrusPapyrus by Irene Vallejo

“Vallejo . . . elegantly explores how scrolls and codices laid the cultural foundation of the West.” —The New York Times Book Review 

Perfect for ancient world history fans and book lovers, Papyrus is a rich exploration of the importance of books and libraries in the ancient world. It highlights how humanity’s obsession with the printed word has echoed throughout the ages, and it takes readers on a journey across the centuries to discover how a simple reed grown along the banks of the Nile would give birth to a rich and cherished culture.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book


Civil Rights QueenCivil Rights Queen by Tomiko Brown-Nagin

“A must-read for anyone who dares to believe that equal justice under the law is possible and is in search of a model for how to make it a reality.” —Anita Hill

Civil Rights Queen is the first major biography of Constance Baker Motley, one of the United States’ most influential judges and an activist lawyer who became the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary. It provides an eye-opening account of the twin struggles for gender equality and civil rights in the 20th Century.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book


Our AmericaOur America by Ken Burns

“A stirring collection of photographs, arranged chronologically from the first daguerreotype in 1839 to a 2019 image of the late John Lewis, arms crossed, prayer-like, across his chest.” —Oprah Daily

If you want a beautiful pictorial history of America to display on your coffee table, be sure to check out this stunning and moving collection of photographs from treasured filmmaker Ken Burns.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book


Tall Men, Short ShortsTall Men, Short Shorts by Leigh Montville

“The definitive account of a pivotal season in one of sports’ great rivalries, supplemented by the personal, often hilarious, memories of a generational observer of sports.” —The Los Angeles Times

Tall Men, Short Shorts is a masterpiece of sports journalism with a charming touch of personal memoir, written by former sports journalist Leigh Montville. Set against a backdrop of the late sixties, Montville recounts his coverage of the 1969 NBA Finals, of one of the greatest seven-game series in NBA history.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book


The Great Stewardess RebellionThe Great Stewardess Rebellion by Nell McShane Wulfhart

“The true story of women who stood up to huge corporations and won, creating momentous change for all working women.” –Gloria Steinem

In The Great Stewardess Rebellion, Nell McShane Wulfhart crafts a rousing narrative of female empowerment, the paradigm-shifting ’60s and ’70s, the labor movement, and the cadre of gutsy stewardesses who fought for their rights—and won.

Read an excerpt | Buy the book