History books can be a great source of knowledge and there are many gems out there that can stand the test of time. While the term “best” is necessarily subjective, the titles listed in this article have been selected and reviewed by History experts, distinguished scholars, and avid readers, and they have been chosen based on the quality of their writing, sound research, and ability to captivate the reader’s interest.
From crime and espionage to holocausts, wars and voyages of discovery, read on for a list of books focusing on history that are – according to popular opinion – the greatest of all time.
Top 10 Best History Books of All Time
- A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn
- The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William L. Shirer
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond
- The Conquest of New Spain, by Bernal Diaz del Castillo
- The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?, by Jared Diamond
- The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt
- The Price of Freedom: A History of Slavery and Emancipation, by Joseph C. Miller
- The Dream of the Celt, by Mario Vargas Llosa
- Why the West Rules–For Now: The Patterns of History, and What They Reveal About the Future, by Ian Morris
- World War II: The Definitive Visual History, by Mark Wasicki
A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn’s
A People’s History of the United States is a significant work in American historiography because it focuses on the history of the United States from the perspective of the working class, marginalized groups, and racial and ethnic minorities. First published in 1980, this powerful narrative studies the history of the United States from the colonial era up to the Carter era (1977-1980).
A People’s History of the United States has been described as a “provocative and controversial” work, which is not surprising given Zinn’s progressive and left-wing perspective. The book was so influential and successful that it was adapted into an acclaimed 15-part documentary series by The History Channel.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
William L. Shirer’s
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is another great classic book of modern history. Written in 1960, the book tells the story of Nazi Germany from the earliest days of Adolf Hitler’s rule up to the end of World War II. It was the first full-length biography of Hitler, and it is renowned for its meticulous research, amazing storytelling ability, and for its uncommon insight into the complex web of events that shaped the history of 20th century Germany.
It has been praised for its “incredible detail and its success in setting forth an almost bewildering amount of material.” Published over 50 years ago, it continues to be a source of knowledge and inspiration for readers of all ages.
Overview of Other Great History Books
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond
- The Conquest of New Spain, by Bernal Diaz del Castillo
- The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?, by Jared Diamond
- The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt
- The Price of Freedom: A History of Slavery and Emancipation, by Joseph C. Miller
- The Dream of the Celt, by Mario Vargas Llosa
- Why the West Rules–For Now: The Patterns of History, and What They Reveal About the Future, by Ian Morris
- World War II: The Definitive Visual History, by Mark Wasicki
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Jared Diamond. It was first published in 1997 and it’s based on the premise that the fates of human societies can be largely explained by geography, environmental factors, and population patterns.
In this book, Diamond attempts to explain why some societies have succeeded while others have failed, and he looks at factors such as the spread of languages, food, and technology. Diamond’s theories provide a compelling argument and the book is widely accounted to be a classic of modern history.
The Conquest of New Spain
The Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Díaz del Castillo is a major work of history, and it has been acclaimed for providing a rare eyewitness account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico led by Hernán Cortes. Díaz del Castillo was a soldier and he was present at Cortes’ expedition.
The Conquest of New Spain is written with incredible detail and it was first published in 1632. This book provides readers with an intimate description of the events of the Spanish conquest and it is an essential source of information for those interested in 16th century history.
The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?
Jared Diamond’s The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies? is a masterful study of the traditional and small-scale societies of the world. Diamond looks at various aspects of these societies, such as their political and economic systems, and examines their cultures, technologies, and methods of child rearing.
The World Until Yesterday is a thought-provoking work and Diamond’s insights into the conflict resolution, political organization, and language of hunter-gatherer societies can give readers a valuable piece of perspective on our own civilization.
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion is an incredible book by the renowned psychology professor Jonathan Haidt. In this book, Haidt looks at the ways our moral judgment can be manipulated by religion and culture and he explains why liberals and conservatives perceive the world in different ways.
He argues that our moral foundations are built on a variety of factors, such as harm/care, fairness/reciprocity, in-group/loyalty, authority/respect, and purity/sanctity, and he discusses how these factors explain our political and religious divisions. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in psychological and political insight.
The Price of Freedom: A History of Slavery and Emancipation
The Price of Freedom: A History of Slavery and Emancipation by Joseph C. Miller is a sweeping account of African-American people’s fight against slavery. It covers various facets of the slave experience, such as the origins of racial subjugation and the growth of the abolitionist movement.
The Price of Freedom is an indispensable history book and it has been praised for its “comprehensive narrative” and for its “attention to detail and context.” It demonstrates how the fight against slavery impacted both African-American people and white people, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the political and economic conditions that shaped antebellum America.
The Dream of the Celt
The Dream of the Celt by Mario Vargas Llosa is an incredible book of historical fiction. It tells the story of Irish republican Roger Casement, who was imprisoned in 1916 for his role in a failed attempt to secure German weaponry to aid in the Irish rebellion.
Vargas Llosa describes Casement’s journey in a captivating manner, and he is able to bring vivid emotions to the pages of this novel. It’s a must-read for those interested in learning about Casement’s life and the Irish struggle for independence.
Why the West Rules–For Now: The Patterns of History, and What They Reveal
About the Future
In this book, Ian Morris looks at the history of the world and he argues that geography, climate, and diffusion of innovations have been the main drivers of human progress.
As a historian and a professor of Classics and Archaeology, Morris is able to draw on historical patterns, behavioral economics, and Darwinian biology to make his points. This is an enjoyable and thought-provoking book, and Morris’ explanations are quite plausible and quite enlightening.
World War II: The Definitive Visual History
Written by Mark Wasicki
World War II: The Definitive Visual History chronicles the history of World War II with compelling images, thorough text, and extensive research. The book is divided into five sections that cover each of the main theaters of war, from the invasion of Poland to the dropping of the atomic bombs.
The book is a remarkable compilation of the events of World War II and its visual aspect makes it even more compelling. It’s the perfect book for history buffs and anyone who’s interested in understanding the events of the biggest conflict in modern history.
This list of the best history books of all time highlights an eclectic selection of works by renowned authors, scholars, and historians. The books in this list cover a wide range of topics,