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Best Books for People Who Love History
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items I've often said that if I could go back and re-do college, I'd be a history major. I love learning about people and events from the past and how they connect to our experience today (and what they can teach us to avoid in the future). “Those who do n...
Sections
5
True Crime Through The Ages
Germs and Creepy Crawlies
Fascinating Biographies
Reader Resources
Just For Fun
True Crime Through The Ages
Crime pays. Or, at least, writing about it does if you do it well enough. I've an avid true crime reader, and these are some of my favorites.
A fascinating look at H.H. Holmes (debatably America's first serial killer) and the creation of Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and how the two were linked. It exposes the extremes of what humans are capable of--both good and bad.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
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This true crime story about the brutal murder of the Clutter family reads like a novel (and many argue that Capote made up or fictionalized quite a bit of it). But it's a true classic in the true crime genre.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
If you're not familiar with Kate Winkler Dawson through her various historical true crime podcasts, you're in for a treat. American Sherlock tells the story of Oscar Heinrich, America's first forensic investigator (whose ability to solve crimes throu...
American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, CSI
Lucy Worsley is one of my favorite historians, and this look at both historical crimes in Britain and how they influenced both society and the arts is a fascinating read.
The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley
A whodunnit over a hundred years in the making. This book covered some very early forensic and detective methods that were interesting to learn about and, I felt, made a solid case for the most likely suspect of Jane Stanford's murderer. Also a great...
Who Killed Jane Stanford?: A Gilded Age Tale
I actually haven't had the chance to read this one yet, but it looks so interesting, and it's on my to-be-read pile.
Toxic Wives: Murder, Media & Poison Panic in America
This was a fascinating look at poisons that have been used throughout the years and some of the more famous murders they were used in.
A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them a book by Neil Bradbury
This was a riveting look at the death of Lana Turner's mobster husband by her daughter. Was it murder or was in self defense?
A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime a book by Casey Sherman
A murder in more recent history, but still a fascinating look into the dangers of violence in extremist faith groups.
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith a book by Jon Krakauer
Germs and Creepy Crawlies
We all just lived through a worldwide pandemic. Well, we still have a lot to learn about diseases, germs, and illness from those who have gone before us.
A great look at the origins of various illnesses and how a better (and corrected) understanding of those origins can help us to handle the spread of disease in the future.
Patient Zero: History of Worst Diseases by Kang
There's a reason that this “biography of cancer” won the Pulitzer. In a compassionate and compelling way, Dr. Mukherjee tells the history of cancer through the stories of the people who have battled it--from the doctors searching for ways to stop it ...
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Ever used Listerine? Well, it was named in honor of Dr. Lister who discovered the power of antiseptics and its use in surgery.
The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest
The heartwrenching story of the young women who worked in factories that produced watches with dials lit by radioactive radium. Not just a medical history, but it's also a cautionary tale of the need for workplace safety measures and oversight.
The Radium Girls: America's Shining Women
Such a good read. If you love history, crazy medical stories, and humor, this is the book for you.
Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything
Another fabulous Siddhartha Mukherjee work, this one focused on cells. Part history, part narrative, part look to the future of cell biology and cell treatments. It was a fascinating read.
The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human
Fascinating Biographies
I absolutely love reading biographies and autobiographies with strong narratives that feel almost like fiction in their storytelling.
I learned so much “hidden” history about many of the women who shaped the earliest years of the United States from this wonderful book by the late Cokie Roberts.
Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation
A biography with a biting hook. This look on Edgar Allen Poe and his mysterious last days was fascinating.
A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe a book by Mark Dawidziak
The heartbreaking and pulsepounding tale of the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and Isaac Cline, the weather forecaster whose hubris cost thousands their lives.
Isaac's Storm: The Deadliest Hurricane in History
Truth be told, this biography could have actually gone under my True Crime tab. The man who actually invented the motion picture machine (before Thomas Edison) disappeared on his way from France to debut it in the United States. It's a mystery what h...
The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures: A True Tale of Obsession, Murder, and the Movies a book by Paul Fischer
A fascinating and emotional biography and look at bioethics. This book tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were harvested and preserved without her knowledge and consent, contributing to medical knowledge and countless advances over the 6...
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a book by Rebecca Skloot
This was a fascinating deep dive into the life (and mysterious death) of Rudolph Diesel, inventor of the Diesel engine. I learned so much about him as well as his contemporaries. I learned so much about the pre-WW I time period.
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I a book by Douglas Brunt
I had never heard the fascinating and inspiring story of Rudolph Vrba, a Jewish concentration camp survivor who managed to escape from Auschwitz and was instrumental in letting the world know about the atrocities of the Holocaust. He was a complex fi...
The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World a book by Jonathan Freedland
Reader Resources
Until they figure out a way to infuse books through osmosis, I'm going to have to settle with reading them the old-fashioned way.
I love to support my local library! And I love listening to audiobooks and downloading e-books through the Libby app. Yes, I have to be patient on the waiting list, but it's a great way to read a lot of books on a budget if you're a bibliophile like ...
Download the Libby App: ebooks & audiobooks FREE from your library
Buying books through bookshop.org is a great way to support local independent bookstores!
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
You can find some great audiobook deals on Chirp, and if you don't feel like committing to a subscription, it's a good option for audiobooks.
Chirp | The Best Audiobook Deals Without A Subscription Fee
If you love listening to audiobooks, Audible is a great option. They have a ton of titles that you have access to on an unlimited basis, and then you can also choose a new book each month to keep. You can get a month's free trial to decide if you lik...
Audible - Huge Catalog of Audiobooks
Yes, I'm that weirdo who has multiple tablets to read on. I prefer my Kindle for nighttime reading and travel. I prefer reading on my iPad during the day and for books that I need to be able to zoom in on (like, say, a map of a manor house where some...
Apple iPad (10th Gen): A14 Bionic, 64GB, Pink
I've had my Kindle Paperwhite for years now, after being one of those people who said that you could pry paper books out of my cold dead hands. Well, consider me a humbled convert. I love the way that I can carry my TBR pile around with me. I love th...
Kindle Paperwhite (8 GB) – 6.8" display, Black
I'm an avid reader, so I joined Barnes & Noble's premium membership plan. You save 10% on books, free shipping, as well as exclusive discounts and goodies.
Barnes & Noble | NOOK eReaders
Good e-book and audiobook option!
Rakuten Kobo
If you like to read on your iPhone, Apple Books offers the best app for reading.
Apple Books
Another good e-book option
Books on Google Play
Books-A-Million is a great alternative for print books, ebooks, and more.
BAM! Books, Toys & More | Books-A-Million Online Book Store
These adorable bookmarks are the perfect, old school way to keep up with what books you've read.
Bookmark Book Tracker, Book Stack, Double Sided, 30/42 Books to fill in per bookmark, High Quality, Thick Sturdy Cardstock, gift, book club
Just For Fun
Great gifts for history buffs in your life. (Or treat yourself!)
Nothing says, “return my dang book!” in a nicer, prettier way than a personalized book embosser.
TOP SELLER - From the Library of Book Embosser Custom Personalized From the Library of Book Belongs to Ex Libris Book Lover Gift 1 5/8"
I laugh every time I look at this mug. Perfect gift for any history lover in your life (or yourself).
Teddy Roosevelt 'History Buff' Mug - 11oz Novelty Mug for Fitness Enthusiasts & History Lovers
Cool poster of major events in history.
Timeline of World History Poster
It may have been playing Oregon Trail, starting in 5th grade, that started my love of history, so this shirt thrills me.
Social Studies Teacher Shirt, History Teacher Gift, History Teacher Shirt, Historian Gift, Social Studies Shirt, Funny History Teacher Shirt
No matter where I travel, I always love to learn something about the history of that locale before I leave. Visiting a local museum, taking a guided tour, or hiring a local tour guide is such a fantastic (and usually affordable) way to make the most ...
Visit a museum or take a tour & learn something wherever you go!
This funny history mug makes a great history teacher gift (or really a fun gift for any history buff in your life, including if you just want to treat yourself)
Insulated Coffee Tumbler Cup with Sliding Lid - Don't Make Me Repeat Myself - 20 oz - Gift for History Buff or History Teacher
If you're looking for librarian gifts (or really any book lover gift), I don't know if you'll find a more perfect one than this card catalog book checkout card scarf. I'm of a certain age, but I can just *smell* the books and feel the excitement of t...
Library card scarf with day due stamps. Book Scarf. Library scarf. Literary Scarf. Bookish Gift
Pick a date, any date! These customizable puzzles are such a fun way to learn about history.
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle | Front Page History Puzzle
Celebrate the suffragettes with this cool circular Votes for Women puzzle
Votes for Women Puzzle | Feminism Gifts, Women's Rights
Much like the embosser, this beautiful stamp increases the chances of getting retrieving your loaned-out books.
Floral Frame Library Stamp, Custom Self Inking Ex Libris Stamp, Book Plate Stamp, Teacher Gift, Anniversary Gift, Book Lover, Gift For Her
For all those book lovers out there like me who have a never-ending to-be-read pile. Tame that TBR with this beautiful book holder stand with built-in book page holder.
Personalized Book Holder, Mothers Day Gift From Daughter, Mothers Day Gift For Grandma, Mothers Day Gift From Kids, Mothers Day Gift Ideas
If you love to learn about history at museums around the U.S., the NARM is a great organization to join, providing reciprocity entrance to a whole network of institutions.
Members – North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association®
Get your (history) sticker groove on with this fun and affordable bundle of 30 fun stickers.
History Sticker Bundle (30 Stickers Laminated for Scratch and Water Resistance, Longest Side 2in), Teachers/Student Sticker Gifts.
Write your own history in this beautiful journal!
My Life Story - So Far
Kickin' in old school with this vintage library card tote bag. There was nothing like the “ka-chunk” sound of checking out a book at the library.
Library Card Tote Bag
Such a cool idea! You scan the QR code on this mug every day, and you get to read a story from something that happened on that day in history.
History Every Day Interactive Mug