What is the best history book you have ever read?
Anyone out there interested in reading history books? What was the best / most interesting history book / topic you have ever read? I'm reading about US history right now. I'm not from US originally but live in the US now, so never had a chance to learn about US history in school, but am finding it quite interesting. For me, Stalingrad by Antony Beevor. Superb writer who manages to bring history to life. Thanks. I'm actually a beginner in the subject of history. I might have to read a book or two about the world wars first before I read that book. It's about the Battle of Stalingrad in WWII, including the German invasion of the USSR (Barbarossa).You could also look at Liddel-Hart's history of both Wars - their not as "easy" to read as Beevor's works, IMO - but very comprehensive.
A bit later, but also a good read is Michael Maclean's "Vietnam: The Ten-Thousand Day War" (it was also a TV series). Giles Milton writes a pretty good history book. I've only read 3 of his but have a few more of his to read. His books really got me interested in History. Nathaniel's Nutmeg - about the spice trade/wars in 1600s, probably his most well known. Russian Roulette about British spies in Soviet/Lenin's Russia was good also. I have Samaurai William, set in the 1600s about an English seaman to become the first foreign samurai - I think/presume it's the story that Shogun was based on? The best historical book i have ever read was "Quo Vadis Domine" by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Iron king by maurice druon is very good, it's fictional but full of very accurate historical details that is very eye opening. It's normal a period of time that doesn't interest me, but after reading it I was googling the popes etc of the time Even I have read US history and it's actually very very interesting!! If you are after a remarkably good, human and accessible overview of the second world war, reach for Armageddon by Sir Max Hastings. Thereafter, both he and Antony Beever have contributed some excellent articles on various facets of the war including Stalingrad and, of course, Overlord and the march through Normandy. Not just best history book, one of the best books ever written.
99p today. Everyone should read this book.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002RI9DUG?tag=22