Looking for a good non-fiction book about history. I've read quite a few, and know enough that some are fantastic and some are bores. I've already read quite a bit about WWII so unless it's incredibly interesting spare me those. WWI is good, and in general the older the history the better.
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Historical Non Fiction recommendations
- Thread starter ronito
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Peoples History of the United States of America by Howard Zinn. It really is an awesome book.
The Road to Khe Sahn. Solid book.
And rumor has it that the Guns of August is phenomenal, too, if you wanna get into WW1. You could also read The Peloppenesian War by Thucydides, and read about Thyrmopolae, where 300 greek soldiers stood against a MILLION Persians.
The Road to Khe Sahn. Solid book.
And rumor has it that the Guns of August is phenomenal, too, if you wanna get into WW1. You could also read The Peloppenesian War by Thucydides, and read about Thyrmopolae, where 300 greek soldiers stood against a MILLION Persians.
elite
read From Beirut to Jerusalem by this guy
<--------
Gives a good account on what happened in Lebannon and good objective reporting in the Palestinean-Israelite conflict. Friedman's books are really easy to read, and not only that they're enjoyable.
Heres another good book, this one by Gourevitch. It gives the background to the Hutu-Tutsi conflict and gives a pretty good account on what happened before, during, and after the war err genocide.
read From Beirut to Jerusalem by this guy
<--------
Gives a good account on what happened in Lebannon and good objective reporting in the Palestinean-Israelite conflict. Friedman's books are really easy to read, and not only that they're enjoyable.
Heres another good book, this one by Gourevitch. It gives the background to the Hutu-Tutsi conflict and gives a pretty good account on what happened before, during, and after the war err genocide.
whytemyke said:The Peloppenesian War by Thucydides, and read about Thyrmopolae, where 300 greek soldiers stood against a MILLION Persians.
Yeah I've already read Thucydides. Rather good. Even tried to read a contemporary book on it by some history professor that got some political praise, and man did it stink.
themadcowtipper
Smells faintly of rancid stilton.
I dont think this is what you are looking for, but I just read this and it was great....
William H. Prescott: History of the Conquest of Mexico
The Library of America: Reporting Vietnam (two-volume set). There are also two-volume sets for Reporting WWII and Reporting Civil Rights.
Willaim T. Vollmann: Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom, and Urgent Means. This is the one-volume abridgment--the original runs seven volumes, but it was an extremely limited edition and is hard to find for less than $500 now. (I should have bought two instead of just one.)
The Library of America: Reporting Vietnam (two-volume set). There are also two-volume sets for Reporting WWII and Reporting Civil Rights.
Willaim T. Vollmann: Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom, and Urgent Means. This is the one-volume abridgment--the original runs seven volumes, but it was an extremely limited edition and is hard to find for less than $500 now. (I should have bought two instead of just one.)
Any biography on TFR is awesome. He was a unique individual in power at an interesting time in our history.
You NEED to read a Stephen Ambrose WWII book. Band of Brothers or Citizen Soldier (I liked Citizen Soldier better). It's one of the few history books I have read in one short weekend.
Another Ambrose book on Lewis and Clark:
It can be pretty dry and boring in some parts .. but overall gives you a magnificent look at a remarkable trek through America.
Fragamemnon
Member
Both of Jared Diamond's books (Guns, Germs, and Steel, Collapse) are outstanding historical perspective books-granted, there is a fair share of biology/sociology/geography to be discussed, but they are easily readable and fantastic stuff.
Dragona Akehi
Retired
Babylon, Joan Oates
A really amazing read if you have any interest in ancient history, and the beginning of western civilization. Even though it's a textbook, it's well laid out and has plenty of references.
The Greek Myths, Robert Graves
A complete collection of all of the main greek myths and variations thereof. Included are a brief history of why the myths are written as they are and how aspects of the pre-Hellenic Greek religions worked, and how their hints remain in the myths today.
Romance of the Rose, Guillaume De Lorris, Jean De Meun, Frances Horgan (Translator)
This isn't really "non-fiction", but I think it is still an excellent book to read. The first half by Guillame de Lorris is a typical "courtly love saga" from the middle ages. However, the second half by Jean de Meun becomes through allegory, a commentary on typical medieval life. Everything from politics of the day, theological debates (much more risqué than one would believe of the era), love advice to male patterned hair loss are covered.
It shows how really educated and civilized people could be in the "dark ages".
The Histories, Herodotus
An absolute must even if it's been largely been proven inaccurate. Herodotus, regardless of the validity of his records is the definitive Father of History.
A really amazing read if you have any interest in ancient history, and the beginning of western civilization. Even though it's a textbook, it's well laid out and has plenty of references.
The Greek Myths, Robert Graves
A complete collection of all of the main greek myths and variations thereof. Included are a brief history of why the myths are written as they are and how aspects of the pre-Hellenic Greek religions worked, and how their hints remain in the myths today.
Romance of the Rose, Guillaume De Lorris, Jean De Meun, Frances Horgan (Translator)
This isn't really "non-fiction", but I think it is still an excellent book to read. The first half by Guillame de Lorris is a typical "courtly love saga" from the middle ages. However, the second half by Jean de Meun becomes through allegory, a commentary on typical medieval life. Everything from politics of the day, theological debates (much more risqué than one would believe of the era), love advice to male patterned hair loss are covered.
It shows how really educated and civilized people could be in the "dark ages".
The Histories, Herodotus
An absolute must even if it's been largely been proven inaccurate. Herodotus, regardless of the validity of his records is the definitive Father of History.
whytemyke said:And rumor has it that the Guns of August is phenomenal, too, if you wanna get into WW1. You could also read The Peloppenesian War by Thucydides, and read about Thyrmopolae, where 300 greek soldiers stood against a MILLION Persians.
I thought it was a quarter million Persians
Tom Cruise said it was a million, SO ITS A MILLION!!! :lolBoogie said:I thought it was a quarter million Persians
Actually I have no real idea. Only know the general concept of the story, as any studies I've done of Thucydides has been more for political science than for history (read: I never actually read the book, just had TONS of people tell me that it rawx).
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Great read. Engaging, full of cool facts, drama.
Bluecondor
Member
I like to read books that give you alternative/contrasting versions of history.
For example, James Jones' Bad Blood (1980?) is the story of the Tuskegee Syphilis experiments - from 1930s - 1970, when a federal study of untreated syphilis was conducted on poor black sharecroppers in Alabama. It is amazing to read about this study and think about how the Civil Rights Movement was going on during much of the same time.
Victor Navasky's Naming Names (also 1980 or so) is the amazing story of the McCarthy Era and HUAC. I love this book, because the guy lays out the interesting moral challenge that every informer faced - namely the competing pressures between feeling that they had to save themselves versus the shame of having to implicate their peers and friends.
For example, James Jones' Bad Blood (1980?) is the story of the Tuskegee Syphilis experiments - from 1930s - 1970, when a federal study of untreated syphilis was conducted on poor black sharecroppers in Alabama. It is amazing to read about this study and think about how the Civil Rights Movement was going on during much of the same time.
Victor Navasky's Naming Names (also 1980 or so) is the amazing story of the McCarthy Era and HUAC. I love this book, because the guy lays out the interesting moral challenge that every informer faced - namely the competing pressures between feeling that they had to save themselves versus the shame of having to implicate their peers and friends.
fennec fox
ferrets ferrets ferrets ferrets FERRETS!!!
A World Lit Only by Fire : The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance - Portrait of an Age
by William Manchester
by William Manchester
A ripping yarn. It ends with a retelling of Magellan's voyage.
Crazymoogle
Member
Hmm...interesting recommendations I will have to look into. Also, while I know it's a WWII book, I really did enjoy William Craig's Enemy at the Gates. Sure, a page or two of it was made into the movie of the same name, but the book is really a dual perspective look at Nazi Germany's relentless push for Stalingrad and the Russian's stubborn courage - and luck - to keep it.
And if you did like the movie to any extent, you get the real ending out of this.
And if you did like the movie to any extent, you get the real ending out of this.
Paul M. Johnson's histories:
Modern Times Revised Edition : The World from the Twenties to the Nineties
The Birth of the Modern : World Society 1815-1830
The Russian Revolution by Richard Pipes
The World Crisis, 1911-1918 by Winston Churchill
Great book on the political economy of Europe and the role of financiers in the rise of pre-WW1 Germany and Bismarck.
Gold and Iron by Fritz Stern
Great book that finally dispelled the commonly held myths regarding the origins of the first world war and Germany's guilt in starting the war. Really great work source wise, most had been hidden in German archives until this book. Hard to find book though, amazon sellers have it for a decent price.
Germany's Aims in the First World War by Fritz Fisher
Books by Peter Hopkirk about the the Great Game in Central Asia:
Like Hidden Fire: The Plot to Bring Down the British Empire
The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia
Biographies/Autobiographies I recommend:
The first two volumes of Victor Klemperer's diary.
I Will Bear Witness : A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-1941
I Will Bear Witness 1942-1945: A Diary of the Nazi Years
Robert A. Caro's pulitzer prize winning biography/history
The Power Broker : Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
Caro's on-going biography of LBJ is equally worthwhile. Buy them used and in hardback from amazon sellers, I got all three hardback volumes in almost new shape for less than $20...
The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1)
Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 2)
Master of the Senate (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 3)
Modern Times Revised Edition : The World from the Twenties to the Nineties
The Birth of the Modern : World Society 1815-1830
The Russian Revolution by Richard Pipes
The World Crisis, 1911-1918 by Winston Churchill
Great book on the political economy of Europe and the role of financiers in the rise of pre-WW1 Germany and Bismarck.
Gold and Iron by Fritz Stern
Great book that finally dispelled the commonly held myths regarding the origins of the first world war and Germany's guilt in starting the war. Really great work source wise, most had been hidden in German archives until this book. Hard to find book though, amazon sellers have it for a decent price.
Germany's Aims in the First World War by Fritz Fisher
Books by Peter Hopkirk about the the Great Game in Central Asia:
Like Hidden Fire: The Plot to Bring Down the British Empire
The Great Game: The Struggle for Empire in Central Asia
Biographies/Autobiographies I recommend:
The first two volumes of Victor Klemperer's diary.
I Will Bear Witness : A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-1941
I Will Bear Witness 1942-1945: A Diary of the Nazi Years
Robert A. Caro's pulitzer prize winning biography/history
The Power Broker : Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
Caro's on-going biography of LBJ is equally worthwhile. Buy them used and in hardback from amazon sellers, I got all three hardback volumes in almost new shape for less than $20...
The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1)
Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 2)
Master of the Senate (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 3)
If you're into more conceptual books, I recommend two books.
Guns Germs & Steel is a magnificent book that examines the root of inequality but avoids entirely the nonsensical marxist approach. A biologist by training Jared Diamond explores the problem scientifically and postulates that humans are essentially equal, but geography gave certain groups of people massive advantages in terms of food surpluses, productivity which allowed them to create massive civilizations, and become great powers.
Diamonds draws on primarily 3 examples and applies his theory. I've been thinking at length about what he has to say and to me, he makes perfect sense. If you're a fan of
Civilization and empire building games, you'll enjoy this book, because it proves one of the underlying assumptions of those games. geography = power.
This is also a 3-part PBS documentary hosted by the author. Worth watching if you can catch the reruns.
Collosus: The Price of America's Empire by British Author Niall Ferguson examines the question of Empire. He suggests, despite many Americans refusing the term, that American is indeed an Empire. But unlike most left-wing historians, he describes Empire as a neutral term, as opposed to Empire automatically being negative, pointing out to many benefits of empire, including development of underdeverloped regions, a common language, standards, and peace.
He also suggests that Empire may infact be a beneficial system and draws out many examples. Ferguson also examines two potential rivals to America, mainly the EU and China, his conclusions are bit surprising if not unexpected.
Guns Germs & Steel is a magnificent book that examines the root of inequality but avoids entirely the nonsensical marxist approach. A biologist by training Jared Diamond explores the problem scientifically and postulates that humans are essentially equal, but geography gave certain groups of people massive advantages in terms of food surpluses, productivity which allowed them to create massive civilizations, and become great powers.
Diamonds draws on primarily 3 examples and applies his theory. I've been thinking at length about what he has to say and to me, he makes perfect sense. If you're a fan of
Civilization and empire building games, you'll enjoy this book, because it proves one of the underlying assumptions of those games. geography = power.
This is also a 3-part PBS documentary hosted by the author. Worth watching if you can catch the reruns.
Collosus: The Price of America's Empire by British Author Niall Ferguson examines the question of Empire. He suggests, despite many Americans refusing the term, that American is indeed an Empire. But unlike most left-wing historians, he describes Empire as a neutral term, as opposed to Empire automatically being negative, pointing out to many benefits of empire, including development of underdeverloped regions, a common language, standards, and peace.
He also suggests that Empire may infact be a beneficial system and draws out many examples. Ferguson also examines two potential rivals to America, mainly the EU and China, his conclusions are bit surprising if not unexpected.
Nostrildamus
Member
T. E. Lawrence's WWI autobiography which formed the basis for "Lawrence of Arabia."
disabledHeliocentric
Member
For a military view of history I'd suggest John Keegan:
A History of Warfare
The First World War
The Second World War
Intelligence in War
The Face of Battle
The Mask of Command etc.
For a broader view of history in the context of the diffusion of technologies of power, over millenia, I'd suggest William H. McNeil:
The Rise of the West
The Pursuit of Power
Plagues and Peoples
Also, a great history of yore was Arnold Toybdee. His "Study of History" can be had in two volumes, abridged, whihc is an easier read than the full 6 volumes, and this is some truly deep mind opening stuff here...! i.e. why do civilizations succeed or fail.
A guy who gets into all sorts of things in his "The Story of civilization" a mammoth multi volume set, is Will Durant, whose books should be available really cheap at fine used booksellers, as should Toybee's.
Fernand Braudel's also interesting...very, very interesting...especially his 'Civilization and Capitalism: 15th-18th century, in 3 volumes.
A History of Warfare
The First World War
The Second World War
Intelligence in War
The Face of Battle
The Mask of Command etc.
For a broader view of history in the context of the diffusion of technologies of power, over millenia, I'd suggest William H. McNeil:
The Rise of the West
The Pursuit of Power
Plagues and Peoples
Also, a great history of yore was Arnold Toybdee. His "Study of History" can be had in two volumes, abridged, whihc is an easier read than the full 6 volumes, and this is some truly deep mind opening stuff here...! i.e. why do civilizations succeed or fail.
A guy who gets into all sorts of things in his "The Story of civilization" a mammoth multi volume set, is Will Durant, whose books should be available really cheap at fine used booksellers, as should Toybee's.
Fernand Braudel's also interesting...very, very interesting...especially his 'Civilization and Capitalism: 15th-18th century, in 3 volumes.
Ninja Scooter
Member
its not really historical (yet) but i've been reading Generation Kill and its badass.
lilraylewis
Member
There's been plenty of good ones recommended so far, but I'm surprised no one's mentioned Shelby Foote's "The Civil War: A Narrative", in three volumes. The Modern Library voted it the 15th most important nonfiction work of the 20th century. I finished the first volume a few weeks ago and loved every page of it, so much so in fact that I immediately began the second. It's stuffed full of great men and big battles.
For those who don't know, Shelby Foote was a very good novelist who dedicated 20 years of his life to writing his "Civil War." The language he uses is very alive and vivid, and not dry like so much of the stuff that's out there, and he really tried to write it like a novel, concetrating on the characters and plotting it out carefully.
I'm sorry I rambled on so long, but I really can't recommend the book highly enough.
For those who don't know, Shelby Foote was a very good novelist who dedicated 20 years of his life to writing his "Civil War." The language he uses is very alive and vivid, and not dry like so much of the stuff that's out there, and he really tried to write it like a novel, concetrating on the characters and plotting it out carefully.
I'm sorry I rambled on so long, but I really can't recommend the book highly enough.
Blackace said:
This is a really good thread, lately for some reason I find myself interested in obscure parts of history that didn't really get covered in school. I'm actually interested in picking up a book about Aboriginal culture and lifestyles, anybody have any recommendations? I'm gonna order the book on the Rwanda genocide and A Plague Upon Humanity off of amazon pretty soon.
Oh yeah and kudos to the Guns, Germs and Steel book. I really enjoyed it and recommended it to lots of my coworkers. There's some interesting passages about how germs evolve to find the best possible way to spread, how populations split and diversified, how lots of food we take for granted was the result of mutations (almonds were originally extremely poisonous, but genetic mutants that didn't contain this poison existed, which were the basis of almonds becoming a food item; acorns contain a really bitter and unpleasant chemical that make them uneatable to humans, but they are a good source of nutrition, possibly something similar will happen with acorns in the future) Jared Diamond beats some of his points into your head and it can get repetitive at points, but its a great counterpoint to "The Bell Curve" and its claims of ethnic superiority in some races.
Some other ones I liked:
Fast Food Nation - Insightful book about what goes on behind the scenes of the fast food industry. From the whole way agribusiness and franchises operate, to how fast food marketing specifically targets the young to hook a customer for life (kind of like the tobacco industry). I would eat fast food on occasion but after reading this book, never again (I will make an exception for Mighty Taco and Ted's Hot Dogs though!)
The Underground History of American Education: This book was by a guy who was voted NY's best teacher one year (2002 I think?), although its extremely preachy, extra verbose (bring your vocabulary with you on this one!), and dosed with lots of pro-libertarian anti-government talk, its still worth a read. I necessarily don't agree with lots of his points (is home schooling really a panacea to everything?) but anybody wondering why the hell they suffered through high school can at least find some stuff to relate to and agree with. There are parts in the book that talk about eugenics and sterilizing "undesireables", back then it were the Jews and the Italians, southern Blacks, the poor, etc... lots of research into eugenics went on at a lab in Cold Spring Harbor, LI, interestingly enough. This is something I'd like to read more about, if anybody can point to a good book.
It's available for free, actually, at http://www.johntaylorgatto.com
FINALFANTASYDOG
Member
Both are incredibly massive, but provide you just about all the info on you'll ever need on how Japan got from the 1920's to 1960's.
I thought of another interesting book I've read recently: The Lobotomist, by Jack El-Hai. It's half biography, half history--the subject is Richard Freeman, who pioneered the use of the frontal lobotomy in the United States in the 20th century, and the author uses Freeman's story to examine the split between two schools of thought in psychiatry--whether mental illness is best treated through talk therapies, or through biological means (drugs, operations, etc.). I went into the book expecting Freeman to be the anti-Christ, but I ended up pitying the guy in the end.
Just wanted to throw in a different kind of book than the histories of nation-states that are dominating the thread.
Just wanted to throw in a different kind of book than the histories of nation-states that are dominating the thread.
fennec fox
ferrets ferrets ferrets ferrets FERRETS!!!
Oh yeah, on that note:
The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316491977/102-5316504-3345724?v=glance
The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316491977/102-5316504-3345724?v=glance
Yeah it's completely outdated and the computer I'm typing on now outclasses the computer they make, but this is still one of the best "hacker bio" type books out there. Required reading for CS students.
Forgotten Ancient
Banned
I've just started getting interested in reading non-fiction - mainly historical non-fiction. I'm partially through Guns, Germs, and Steel and am looking for something to read next. I find myself wanting to learn more about WWII, but I'm not sure where to start since there are literally thousands of books on the subject.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Guileless
Temp Banned for Remedial Purposes
Wow this thread is great. I'm glad there's other people out there who actually like to read history because I hardly know any personally. Some great recommendations here.
I will recommend something that is anathema to conventional GAF wisdom: Carnage and Culture by Victor Davis Hanson. He's a classicist and military historian who examines great battles, from Salamis to Tet, to make conclusions about Western warfare. Even if you disagree with all of his conclusions you will enjoy the book.
Guns, Germs & Steel is mostly a good read but I don't agree with the sweeping conclusions.
Paris 1919 was just OK. The subject matter is so complicated though maybe it's my fault I don't have enough background to enjoy it.
I haven't read Colossus, but I did read Ferguson's earlier workEmpire and enjoyed it very much.
I've read the first 2 volumes of Caro's LBJ biography. Really good, but I would recommend volume 2 as it is a good deal shorter than vol. 1 and has more for the general reader. Great account of how politics changed after WW2.
Foote's work is underappreciated and I will read it eventually but I haven't yet. Pretty daunting undertaking.
As for WW2: you can do worse than starting with Stephen Ambrose if you don't know much about it. Like you said there are thousands of books and it depends on what you're interested in: military, political/diplomatic, the causes, sweeping narratives, Europe, Asia, etc. I have a soft spot for narrative histories written mostly in the 60s.
I will recommend something that is anathema to conventional GAF wisdom: Carnage and Culture by Victor Davis Hanson. He's a classicist and military historian who examines great battles, from Salamis to Tet, to make conclusions about Western warfare. Even if you disagree with all of his conclusions you will enjoy the book.
Guns, Germs & Steel is mostly a good read but I don't agree with the sweeping conclusions.
Paris 1919 was just OK. The subject matter is so complicated though maybe it's my fault I don't have enough background to enjoy it.
I haven't read Colossus, but I did read Ferguson's earlier workEmpire and enjoyed it very much.
I've read the first 2 volumes of Caro's LBJ biography. Really good, but I would recommend volume 2 as it is a good deal shorter than vol. 1 and has more for the general reader. Great account of how politics changed after WW2.
Foote's work is underappreciated and I will read it eventually but I haven't yet. Pretty daunting undertaking.
As for WW2: you can do worse than starting with Stephen Ambrose if you don't know much about it. Like you said there are thousands of books and it depends on what you're interested in: military, political/diplomatic, the causes, sweeping narratives, Europe, Asia, etc. I have a soft spot for narrative histories written mostly in the 60s.
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