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History Books I Always Go Back To
22
items As someone who holds an M.A. in History and thus avid lover of history the world over, I've read hundreds of history books since I was a kid. These are the ones that adorn my shelves and I continue to go back to for research or pleasure-reading. I've...
Sections
5
American History
Japanese History
European History
Social (and Medical) History
Historiography
American History
These are my favorite books about American History.
This is easily the best general history book about North America leading up to the American Revolution I've ever read. What makes it stand out is not only its writing but that it's written with the mindset that history is complex. Taylor doesn't igno...
American Colonies - Alan Taylor
This is a well-written book about the lives of those who lived in the Plymouth colony. In “Time of Their Lives,” Deetz seeks to destroy the popular image that the pilgrims dressed in drab clothing and hated the idea of fun. As he guides us through th...
The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony - James Deetz
Why were some women targeted as being witches and not others? Were there really witches afoot in Salem or was it an easy way to attack an enemy? Karlsen seeks to answer the question of why the majority of those accused of witchcraft were women and wh...
The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England - Carol F. Karlsen
This is a striking story of a young girl, Eunice Williams, whose family was part of the infamous attack on their town in Deerfield in 1704, Massachusetts by Native Americans. Their entire family was abducted (her mother died on the way) including her...
The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America|Paperback
This is an amazing book that utilizes a wealth of sources, woven together in a spectacular narrative. Ulrich positions this book to examine how women during this period were able to capitalize on their position in society and stretch it out--dispelli...
Good Wives: Image and Reality in the Lives of Women in Northern New England, 1650-1750 - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Did you know that Harding and a bunch of oil barons bought the White House in the early 20th century? I didn't either until I read this book (as part of a political scandals class). This is a really interesting read and requires some careful or multi...
The Teapot Dome Scandal: How Big Oil Bought the Harding White House and Tried to Steal the Country - Laton McCartney
This book examines modern-day celebrations of native people's and how these have embraced tourism and the messiness that can come with that. This is a well-written book that examines the question of at price does remembering history by making it “mor...
The author of this book actually did a Q&A with my grad class about this book.
The author of this book actually did a Q&A with my grad class about this book.
Staging Indigeneity: Salvage Tourism and the Performance of Native American History - Katrina M. Phillips
Japanese History
My favorite Japanese history books.
This is a carefully curated collection of oral histories by several Japanese who lived through World War II. In many ways this is quite the rare undertaking because culturally many Japanese (as the authors themselves state) are hesitant to talk about...
Japan at War: An Oral History - Cook
One of the most well-known Japanese history books, this examines the Hiroshima bombing in 1945. It weaves together a narrative built on multiple sources and multiple perspectives, and is a powerful but heart-breaking read.
Hiroshima - John Hersey
This is a fantastic read that looks at social and economic history of Japan up to 1600. There is a lot of rich information to glean in this book and it is very well researched. It's a must read for anyone interested in early Japanese history.
Japan to 1600: Social & Economic History
This is a rich read that looks at material culture in Japan. The author cross-examines Japanese material and social culture to other countries with careful attention, and dips into micro-history related to hygiene and food. This is an incredible read...
Everyday Things in Premodern Japan: The Hidden Legacy of Material Culture
European History
My favorite history books that cover European history.
Before Churchill became the infamous Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II he was a MP (member of parliament) in Dundee, Scotland.
In “Churchill: The Scottish Years” Liddle has crafted a very well-written narrative about his early political career. His experiences during this time (and involvement in World War I) would deeply shape his later political beliefs and approaches. Add...
What also stands out about this book is its not just geared for history students but for the general public. Whether you go in knowing little of Churchill (beyond being a Prime Minister) or quite a bit, Liddle has written a narrative for a diverse au...
In “Churchill: The Scottish Years” Liddle has crafted a very well-written narrative about his early political career. His experiences during this time (and involvement in World War I) would deeply shape his later political beliefs and approaches. Add...
What also stands out about this book is its not just geared for history students but for the general public. Whether you go in knowing little of Churchill (beyond being a Prime Minister) or quite a bit, Liddle has written a narrative for a diverse au...
Churchill: The Scottish Years: A Scotsman Book of the Year - Andrew Liddle
Devine is one of the most well-respected Scotland historians and this book is a condensed version of Scotland's history with regard to industry, social factors, politics and more. It's an easy read with an engaging narrative style and chock full of g...
Independence or Union: Scotland's Past and Scotland's Present - T. M. Devine
This book sets a standard on how primary sources can be utilized to gain a deeper understanding of events. Horrox has translated numerous first-hand accounts of the Black Death and organized them into a cohesive narrative. If you have an interest in ...
The Black Death - Rosemary Horrox
This is a comprehensive look at how Scotland's industrial revolution occurred and the highs and lows that resulted on its economy, people, and culture.
Industry, Reform and Empire: Scotland, 1790-1880 - Iain Hutchinson
Social (and Medical) History
I am a social historian at heart. These are my favorite history books that focus on social aspects across the world, especially medicine.
I love medical history (see my bookshelf) and this is one of my personal favorites. Abrams focuses her study on the the lives of several founding fathers and mothers, including but not limited to George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Jo...
Revolutionary Medicine: The Founding Fathers and Mothers in Sickness and in Health - Jeanne E. Abrams
Did you know several of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were avid gardeners?
In this well-written book, Wulf explores how a love of gardening helped fuel several of the founding fathers in their political careers and development of America and severed as a vehicle for several to bond.
In this well-written book, Wulf explores how a love of gardening helped fuel several of the founding fathers in their political careers and development of America and severed as a vehicle for several to bond.
Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation - Andrea Wulf
A well-written examination of the impact people make on the land and vice versa (from an American perspective). Cronon provides some fascinating discussion points and makes this a must-read for anyone interested in environmental history.
Changes in the Land, Revised Edition: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England - William Cronon
Sue Black has written a few books about her experience as a forensic scientist and this one examines several cases involving skeletons from past peoples. This was the first book of hers that I read and it has stuck with me years after I've finished i...
All That Remains: A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes - Sue Black
Historiography
Historiography is the study of the research and methods used by historians to write about and analyze history. These are my favorite historiographical books that shaped my understanding of history.
Written by a French economic historian in the early 20th century, this book highlights why history is so dynamic and considers its complexities. This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in deeper considerations about history and especially hist...
Disclaimer: It is not an easy read and definitely a book designed to be savored slowly and contemplated. It also ends abruptly because this was compiled after Bloch's death at the hands of the Gestapo in 1944.
Disclaimer: It is not an easy read and definitely a book designed to be savored slowly and contemplated. It also ends abruptly because this was compiled after Bloch's death at the hands of the Gestapo in 1944.
The Historian's Craft: Reflections on the Nature and Uses of History and the Techniques and Methods of Those Who Write It - Marc Bloch
American History Now provides a carefully curated collection of the state of historgraphy from several well-renowed historians. For someone who is looking to get a good overview of topics ranging from American to Native American history, women's hist...
This book is fourteen years old (as of this writing) and since the field is ever expanding some information may be dated. Weaknesses in historiography in some areas mentioned by historians may have been filled since and new gaps are likely to have em...
This book is fourteen years old (as of this writing) and since the field is ever expanding some information may be dated. Weaknesses in historiography in some areas mentioned by historians may have been filled since and new gaps are likely to have em...
American History Now - Eric Foner & Lisa McGirr
This is an excellent book that looks at how history as we know it today began to emerge, and argues that social history emerged far earlier than most historians theorize. This is an important reminder that changes in history don't just suddenly happe...
History's Memory: Writing America’s Past