My favourite historical books- some you may have seen on BookTok, some are lesser known! ‘Historical’ is applied loosely in some of these!
Sections
2
Fiction
Non fiction
Fiction
The rise of female focused retellings has brought about some amazing books
Clytemnestra: A Novel
Herc is a unique retelling of Hercules told through the people around him.
Herc
A young woman living above an antiquarian shop comes across an ancient vase in this vivid debut.
Pandora: A Novel by Susan Stokes-Chapman
We have all heard about her but have we ever seen it from her point of view?
Helen of Troy
A retelling of the Greek myth of Elektra, the origins of the Trojan War, and the curse of the House of Atreus. Told from the viewpoints of three women
Elektra: A Novel
Hands down my favourite ancient history book! While routed in true events, this dramatic retellings of the life of cleopatras daughter opens up a whole new world
Cleopatra's Daughter: A Novel
Another home run from Michelle Moran on this one, a sharp insight into one of the most well known figures of ancient Egypt!
Nefertiti
Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti, must overcome her family's past and remake history
The heretic queen
A reimagining of the Siege of Troy is told from the perspectives of Helen and her sister Klytemnestra
Daughters of Sparta: A Novel
This feminist retelling focuses on the women affected by the Trojan War and absolutely captivates you!
A Thousand Ships
The story of the Iliad in the words of Briseis, Trojan queen and captive of Achilles. This is the start of a three part series and each one is as good as the last!
The Silence of the Girls
A feminist retelling of the events going on in the background in Ithaca while Odysseus returning after the Trojan war!
Ithaca
A powerful retelling of Oedipus and Antigone from the perspectives of the women the myths overlooked
The Children of Jocasta
Set in the dramatic and complicated world that is Pompeii’s brothels, this novel follows the story and lives of the She-wolves
The Wolf Den Trilogy
The story of one boy's journey to freedom from the brothel he was raised in, in the harsh world of Ancient Rome!
Sparrow
Reading this whilst going around historical dig sites was perfection
The Figurine: Victoria Hislop
Jacobites to the Amercian revolution with a side of pirates?? Historical dream! Watching the series is good but the book gives the relationship and characters so much more depth!
Outlander: Diana Gabaldon
Medieval italy, knights in not quite shining armour and despite it being a romance- actually acknowledgement of the plague! This is so much more than a romance series, but the love in this book is a love everyone deserves at some point! Another serie...
The River of Time Series : Lisa T Bergren
It Bridgeton and you have most definitely heard of it- but have you read it? Personally I’m not keen on the first one but the series is perfect!
Bridgerton
Now I am a WW2 history nerd and was devastated that I couldn't get into the film- but finding out that it was a book, which is hailed as the greatest war novel of all time? How can I not?
All Quiet on the Western Front
Non fiction
Without being too long or details- this provides a really good overview of view of ancient Egypt!
The civilization of ancient Egypt
Stunning book detailing the Ancient Greek city of Thebes!
Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece
Ancient Egypt is a HUGE interest of mine however my focus of mythology has always been Greek/Roman or Scottish so this seems like the perfect way to branch out!
Egyptian Mythology: A Traveler's Guide
Perfect for the ancient Egypt loves who want to move away from the textbook style books!
Alexandria: The Quest for the Lost City
Honestly mind blowing- details such a key point of understanding ancient civilisation!
The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone
This is definitely going to be a heavy read as you learn about the efforts of the Allied codebreakers in uncovering the horrors of the holocaust
The Holocaust Codes: Decrypting the Final Solution
A standard staple for any Roman history buff’s bookcase!
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
An easy to read chronology of some of the most chaotic years in Rome!
Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age
Amazing book that covers kleopatra Selene in her own right and not just as her mother’s child!
Cleopatra's Daughter: Roman Prisoner to Queen
The event that fascinates all and a book that gives it justice!
Pompeii
A good length book which explains the remarkable intermingled stories of Greece and rome
The Story of Greece and Rome
Not too long or too heavy- explains all the details of King Tuts tomb!
The Tomb of Tutankhamen by Howard Carter
I tend to read a lot of holocaust and cult survivor stories however this one is probably my go to recommendation and is one i have read many times over the years
