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Exploring History Through Fiction and Non-Fiction: A Reading List for History Buffs

I love history and I love to read. I love a book that brings the characters to life - where you have a picture in your mind of what they look like.


I also love how a good book can take you wherever the setting is - be it a fictitious or actual place. A good author can create a visual that can make you feel like you're there, wherever the story is taking place. It's like a mini vacation but in your mind.


I wasn't a fan of history in school. I didn't find it interesting. But a good historical fiction novel or historical non-fiction book that reads like a novel draws me in. What a fun way to learn!




Combine history and a good story and WOW, I'm hooked! Then give me a series and I am beside myself! Especially if the series was published years ago - I love to read them back-to-back, rather then wait two plus years for the next one to come out. But I'll read them either way.


I wish I had kept a log of all the books I've read over the years, because I can't begin to think of all of them. But I want to share a few of the historical fiction and non-fiction that I think (hope!) you'll enjoy as much as I did. Even those who aren't history buffs might enjoy these.


Some I read years ago and some more recent. Hopefully you haven't read all of them!


Note: I will not earn a commission if you purchase from the links. I provided them for your convenience only. Don't forget to check your local used book store and library too!




Historical Fiction


I listed the series in chronological order.


The Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett



The original trilogy (the first three listed) take place in the 12th, 14th, and 16th centuries. The last one, The Evening and the Morning, takes place from 997 to 1007. The second and third books follow the descendants of the main characters in The Pillars of the Earth. The Evening and The Morning is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth.


The last and most recent in the series, The Armor of Light, takes place in 1792 and is a sequel to A Column of Fire. I have not read this one yet but plan to in the next couple months, after I finish several others. lol


Plan to hunker down when you start these because they are 800+ pages each, but they are all so good, you won't want them to end! They do not have to be read in order, but I highly recommend it.



The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett

All three books follow generations of five families from different countries: American, English, German, Russian, and Welsh, from 1911 to 1989. The first book, Fall of Giants, takes the families through the Russian Revolution and World War I. The second book takes them through World War II, and the third takes them through the American civil rights movement, the cold war, and the music industry of the time. Definitely read these in order.





The Winds of War Series by Herman Wouk



These books follow an American Navy family from the start to the end of World War II. These, like the books in the Ken Follett series above, were two I could not put down. Read these in order.



Historical Non-fiction


The Killing Series by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard (The links for these are in the individual titles.)


You might think these books are politically driven because Bill O'Reilly is one of the authors. I assure you they are not. These are historical books that read like a novel. I enjoyed each one. Reading these books made me realize that a lot was left out of history class!





Lion in the White House: A life of Theodore Roosevelt by Aida D. Donald (See it here)


This is a biography of Theodore Roosevelt's extraordinary life. It is an easy read and very interesting.



I hope you enjoy any of these that you decide to read! I would love to hear what historical books you recommend!


Until next time,


Melanie


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