The 15 Best History Books to Read Right Now

Looking for the best history books? We rounded up 15 essential history books worth your time, with a quick take on each and where to dive in. Tap any title for the full guide.

1. Master Thaddeus

Master Thaddeus by Adam Mickiewicz, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

2. Captain Rebel

Captain Rebel by Frank Yerby: plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

3. For Whom the Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

4. Cyrano de Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

5. Western intelligence and the collapse of the Soviet Union, 1980-1990

Western intelligence and the collapse of the Soviet Union, 1980-1990 by David Arbel: plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

6. Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

7. The ballad of the white horse

The ballad of the white horse by Gilbert Keith Chesterton, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

8. The Travels of Marco Polo

The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

9. Der Kaiser

Der Kaiser by Georg Moritz Ebers: plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

10. Plain tales from the hills

Plain tales from the hills by Rudyard Kipling, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

11. Diary

Diary by Samuel Pepys, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

12. Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

13. The history of the great plague in London in the year 1665

The history of the great plague in London in the year 1665 by Daniel Defoe, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

14. Le vicomte de Bragelonne, ou, dix ans plus tard

Le vicomte de Bragelonne, ou, dix ans plus tard by Alexandre Dumas, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

15. The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel

The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel by Emma Orczy, plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.

This list is curated from Pop Culture Files guides and refreshed regularly.