Some of the best history books I have read. Short list because I've read dozens, but when I think of "the best", these are the books that come to mind.
To make my list, with the exception of one book, they are all "best" because they really changed the way I think of history, as well as informed me of the specific history they covered. The last one "Gunpowder" is listed purely because it was just such a fun book to read. Yes it was informative, but it didn't really change how I think of history. It's just one of those books you probably didn't want to read, but when you finished it, you're sitting there thinking to yourself "OMG that was a good book!"
1- The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich - William Shirer. I had read many books on the subject of WWII before I finally tore into this HUGE book. And this book completely changed my views on the German people and made me understand that it wasn't just the Nazi party, the whole of Germany was largely culpable for what happened. This book is a masterpiece of history written by someone who was there from the beginning, and his insight is unique among historians.
2- The Prize - Daniel Yergin. This is the history of oil and the oil market. This book is an incredible read and highly enlightening in so many ways. From learning what a dirty player Rockefeller was from the very beginning, being a case study in in anti-trust and everything you hope a large US company would never do, but they do. It also details the discovery of oil in the Middle East and details how that was the single largest transfer of wealth in all of human history; and how that has shaped our world since. To understand modern history (history of the past 100 years), you have to understand that we live in the age of oil, and how it shapes our world
3- Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World - Liaquat Ahamed. To understand modern history, you must understand our money system and the world market. This book was so incredibly enlightening on the subject of economics, gold standard vs. fiat currency, and the role of central banks.
4- The Second World War: A Complete History - Martin Gilbert. I have read a good number of books on WWII (it's a bit of a hobby of mine), and this will always be the ONE that I recommend should anyone ask me for a single authoritave book on the subject. It is by far the best I have read. The scholarly approach is beyond reproach in this book, it is expertly researched, and Gilbert presents everything in a manner that is understandable and very engaging.
5- John Adams - David McCullough. Speaking of exquisite scholarly works, what list of best history books would dare to not include David McCulllough. This book was so revealing and engaging that HBO made an emmy award winning mini-series that was nearly as brilliant as the book. Before reading this, I had no idea what an amazing, interesting, and sometimes annoying character John Adams was; I only knew what I learned in High School which was very little beyond the fact he was our second president. This book gives such great insight into how this man shaped the nation we live in, and also great insight into many of our other founding fathers.
6- Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, And Pyrotechnics: The History Of The Explosive That Changed The World Hardcover - Jack Kelly. This is a funny little book, and I was absolutely amazed at how good of a book it is. The history of gunpowder shouldn't be a story this good, It's supposed to be a very dry subject, with a history of just dates and events. Jack Kelly tells how this one invention drove technology around the world (especially metallurgy & manufacturing), controlled nations, kingdoms, and even monasteries. Guys, this is amazingly one of the most engaging history books I've ever read. I've read it twice and I still can't believe how Kelly turned such a dull subject into a book that engages the reader as well as any Michael Crichton adventure.
So what are the best works of history you have read?
To make my list, with the exception of one book, they are all "best" because they really changed the way I think of history, as well as informed me of the specific history they covered. The last one "Gunpowder" is listed purely because it was just such a fun book to read. Yes it was informative, but it didn't really change how I think of history. It's just one of those books you probably didn't want to read, but when you finished it, you're sitting there thinking to yourself "OMG that was a good book!"
1- The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich - William Shirer. I had read many books on the subject of WWII before I finally tore into this HUGE book. And this book completely changed my views on the German people and made me understand that it wasn't just the Nazi party, the whole of Germany was largely culpable for what happened. This book is a masterpiece of history written by someone who was there from the beginning, and his insight is unique among historians.
2- The Prize - Daniel Yergin. This is the history of oil and the oil market. This book is an incredible read and highly enlightening in so many ways. From learning what a dirty player Rockefeller was from the very beginning, being a case study in in anti-trust and everything you hope a large US company would never do, but they do. It also details the discovery of oil in the Middle East and details how that was the single largest transfer of wealth in all of human history; and how that has shaped our world since. To understand modern history (history of the past 100 years), you have to understand that we live in the age of oil, and how it shapes our world
3- Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World - Liaquat Ahamed. To understand modern history, you must understand our money system and the world market. This book was so incredibly enlightening on the subject of economics, gold standard vs. fiat currency, and the role of central banks.
4- The Second World War: A Complete History - Martin Gilbert. I have read a good number of books on WWII (it's a bit of a hobby of mine), and this will always be the ONE that I recommend should anyone ask me for a single authoritave book on the subject. It is by far the best I have read. The scholarly approach is beyond reproach in this book, it is expertly researched, and Gilbert presents everything in a manner that is understandable and very engaging.
5- John Adams - David McCullough. Speaking of exquisite scholarly works, what list of best history books would dare to not include David McCulllough. This book was so revealing and engaging that HBO made an emmy award winning mini-series that was nearly as brilliant as the book. Before reading this, I had no idea what an amazing, interesting, and sometimes annoying character John Adams was; I only knew what I learned in High School which was very little beyond the fact he was our second president. This book gives such great insight into how this man shaped the nation we live in, and also great insight into many of our other founding fathers.
6- Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, And Pyrotechnics: The History Of The Explosive That Changed The World Hardcover - Jack Kelly. This is a funny little book, and I was absolutely amazed at how good of a book it is. The history of gunpowder shouldn't be a story this good, It's supposed to be a very dry subject, with a history of just dates and events. Jack Kelly tells how this one invention drove technology around the world (especially metallurgy & manufacturing), controlled nations, kingdoms, and even monasteries. Guys, this is amazingly one of the most engaging history books I've ever read. I've read it twice and I still can't believe how Kelly turned such a dull subject into a book that engages the reader as well as any Michael Crichton adventure.
So what are the best works of history you have read?
