The 15 Best History Books to Read Right Now
15 of the best history books to read, ranked — with where to find each.
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. Drum-taps
Drum-taps by Walt Whitman — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
2. Henry IV, Part 2
Henry IV, Part 2 by William Shakespeare — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
3. Richard III
Richard III by William Shakespeare — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
4. Black Sheep
Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
5. Cleopatra
Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
6. The Travels of Marco Polo
The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
7. Twelve years a slave
Twelve years a slave by Solomon Northup — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
8. Salammbô
Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
9. 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.
10. The Harvester
The Harvester by Gene Stratton-Porter — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
11. Montezuma's daughter
Montezuma's daughter by H. Rider Haggard — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
12. Roots
Roots by Alex Haley — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
13. The Gadfly
The Gadfly by Ethel Lilian Voynich — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
14. Princesse de Clèves
Princesse de Clèves by Madame de La Fayette — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
15. Coriolanus
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare — plot, author, genre and where to read, in one evergreen guide.
This list is curated from Pop Culture Files guides and refreshed regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best history book?
Vite de' più eccellenti pittori, scultori et architettori is one of the most popular picks on this list of history books.
How many history books are on this list?
This guide rounds up 15 history books.
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