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Historical Nonfiction I Recommend
34 items
By
Eva Seyler
I feed my own writing by drinking up a LOT of nonfiction! I'll update as I find new favourites.
Sections
13
Pre-18th Century
19th Century
1900-1913
WWI
1920s
1930s
Pre-18th Century
A look at the many Europeans who came to the Americas before the Pilgrims got here.
A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering New World
19th Century
A gorgeously written book about a horrific event.
The Indifferent Stars Above: Donner Party Saga
Amazing, terrifying story of disaster and the people it affected.
Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm
I love this history of the Chicago World's Fair woven in with H H Holmes' murder spree.
The Devil in the White City: Magic & Murder
A fresh look at the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Continues beyond 19th century, of course, but I want to put it here.
Prairie Fires: American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder
I dunno if you're sensing a theme on this list, but I am drawn like a magnet to disaster and true crime. XD
Hell's Half-Acre: Untold Story of the Benders
Loved this! There is a lot to know about John Brown pre-Harper's Ferry.
Midnight Rising: John Brown & the Raid
A super fun book!
The Good Old Days: They Were Terrible!
A re-telling, in verse, of the Donner Party saga.
To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves & Donner Party
1900-1913
Sensitive and touching history of the Galveston hurricane and its effects on the young National Weather Service.
Isaac's Storm: Deadliest Hurricane History
Several seemingly unrelated real-life plots come together for a grand finale fireworks show.
Thunderstruck
An exhaustive history of RMS Titanic, deconstructing many of the myths.
On a Sea of Glass: Life & Loss of Titanic
WWI
Fascinating look into U-Boats. And many other things.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
The first book I read about WWI that launched me deep into an endless rabbithole!
The Zimmermann Telegram
1920s
A history of the summer of 1927 - SO masterful. Bill Bryson's best work IMO.
One Summer: America, 1927
A sad and needed look at the history of eugenics in America.
Imbeciles: Supreme Court & Eugenics Case
Brilliant and informative. It goes beyond the 20s, of course.
American Wings: Chicago's Black Aviators & Equality
1930s
I have read this at LEAST four times. It's that good.
The Boys in the Boat: 1936 Berlin Olympics
1940s
A powerful story of courage amid prejudice and discrimination towards Japanese-Americans during WWII
Facing the Mountain: True Story of Japanese American Heroes in WWII
Although the diving portion takes place in the 90s, the story they are seeking answers to is a WWII one, so I'm putting it here. SO good.
Shadow Divers: True WWII Adventure
Riveting to me! I loved learning even more than I'd known already about some of my favourite directors/films.
Five Came Back: Hollywood & WWII Story
An intense, not-fun, but important read.
Ravensbruck: Life & Death in Hitler's Camp
I loved this so much. What a survival story.
Unbroken: WWII Story of Survival & Redemption
1950s
A true crime gem that everyone should read.
In Cold Blood (Vintage International)
1960s
A very long book, but I was never bored. What an amazing story.
A Man on the Moon: Voyages of Apollo Astronauts
I loved this bio. Highly recommend.
King: A Life
1970s
A fascinating look at the “golden age” of serial killers.
Murderland: Crime & Bloodlust in Serial Killers
This is one of the best books I've ever read.
The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones & Peoples Temple
1980s
If you're interested in true crime and Mormon history, they intersect here.
Under the Banner of Heaven: Violent Faith
1990s
Weird and fascinating story of a weird and fascinating man.
Into the Wild
The 1996 Everest disaster in book form.
Into Thin Air: Personal Account of Everest Disaster
Miscellany
This can't be pinned down to one era - it is SO MUCH packed into one volume! Highly recommend.
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
An in-depth look at the true history of sites all across the United States.
Lies Across America: What Historic Sites Get Wrong
Funny, educational, and heartbreaking all in one. An absolute must.
Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story
