20 Best Books For History Lovers (2023 Update)

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout.new york times bestsellera summer reading pick for president barack obama, bill gates, and mark zuckerberg from a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” one hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited earth. yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. what happened to the others? and what may happen to us? most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but dr. yuval noah harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. from examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.dr. harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of jared diamond, james gleick, matt ridley, robert wright, and sharon moalem.

The amazing book of history is a 704-page collection of hundreds of articles, lists, quotes, and anecdotes that explore a lively range of human history, from the ancient world to the recent past to pop culture. perfect for history buffs, trivia fans, and everyone with an interest in the past. looks at history from an anything-goes perspective, with nearly 300 dynamic tales of people, places, and events. topics include science, politics, the arts, war, medicine, sports, crime, food, historical figures, and more. learn about: the real-life explorers who created king kong. the teenager who invented television. nazi germany's secret baby farms. biological warfare secrets of the ancient world. the racy true story of the barbie doll. the development of american hot rod culture. a brief history of underwear. the food obsessions of ancient rome.

New york times bestsellerfrom beer to coca-cola, the six drinks that have helped shape human history. throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. as tom standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period. a history of the world in 6 glasses tells the story of humanity from the stone age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. beer was first made in the fertile crescent and by 3000 b.c.e. was so important to mesopotamia and egypt that it was used to pay wages. in ancient greece wine became the main export of her vast seaborne trade, helping spread greek culture abroad. spirits such as brandy and rum fueled the age of exploration, fortifying seamen on long voyages and oiling the pernicious slave trade. although coffee originated in the arab world, it stoked revolutionary thought in europe during the age of reason, when coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange. and hundreds of years after the chinese began drinking tea, it became especially popular in britain, with far-reaching effects on british foreign policy. finally, though carbonated drinks were invented in 18th-century europe they became a 20th-century phenomenon, and coca-cola in particular is the leading symbol of globalization.for tom standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. you may never look at your favorite drink the same way again.

The bestseller that defined an age with cloth binding and bespoke marbled endpapers, this gorgeous 30th-anniversary hardback edition of the secret history is the perfect gift for fans this christmas! 'everything, somehow, fit together; some sly and benevolent providence was revealing itself by degrees and i felt myself trembling on the brink of a fabulous discovery, as though any morning it was all going to come together—my future, my past, the whole of my life—and i was going to sit up in bed like a thunderbolt and say oh! oh! oh!' under the influence of a charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at a new england college discover a way of thought and life a world away from their banal contemporaries. but their search for the transcendent leads them down a dangerous path, beyond human constructs of morality. 'haunting, compelling and brilliant' the times 'irresistible and seductive' guardian 'enthralling… forceful, cerebral and impeccably controlled' new york times

Setting the record straight is a unique view of the religious and moral heritage of black americans, with an emphasis on the untold yet significant stories from our rich political history. the material presented is ground-breaking and revolutionary, leaving viewers amazed and inspired.

The ultimate work of historical reference – from cavemen to the cold war, from alexander the great to global warming, from warfare through the ages to the great voyages of exploration, the times complete history of the world is the book that has all the answers. – this is the most comprehensive, authoritative and accessible work on world history available today. it has sold over 2.25million copies and has been translated into 18 other languages since its first publication in 1978. with a narrative scope covering the origins of mankind right through to the turmoil of the 21st century, this book is an unrivalled and breathtaking accomplishment. – with over 600 full-colour maps and charts on a wide range of historical subjects and representing the work of a team of professional historians, this new edition continues a tradition of nearly thirty years of excellence, style, authority and cutting-edge design. this edition is also internet-linked. readers can follow the weblinks in the book to acess the most up to date information permitting further in-depth exploration of key subjects. – with fully up-to-date text, including material on iraq and afghanistan, terrorism, israel and the eu, this book, edited by leading modern historian professor richard overy, is broad-ranging and more visually enticing than ever. – updates for the eighth edition include: – new material on the united states – the most up-to-date research on prehistory – reworked spreads on the middle east, including a new spread on iran – current information on the global economy, the global environment, warfare and world terrorism – new introduction – short biographies of 100 key figures in world history.

In the tradition of his own bestselling masterpieces the story of civilization and the lessons of history, pulitzer prize-winning historian will durant here traces the lives and ideas of those who have helped to define civilization, from its dawn to the beginning of the modern world. four years before his death, will durant began work on an abbreviated version of his highly acclaimed eleven-volume series, the story of civilization. the project was conceived as a series of audio lectures, but durant soon realized that the dialogues could be developed into a book that would serve as a wonderfully readable introduction to the subject of history. durant completed twenty-one of a proposed twenty-three chapters before his death in 1981, at the age of ninety-six. those chapters span thousands of years of human history — from confucius to shakespeare, from the roman empire to the reformation, finally ending in the eighteenth century. the manuscript was recently found by will durant scholar john little — twenty years after durant finished it — and its discovery is a major event, not only for lovers of his prose, but for students of history and philosophy the world over. heroes of history is a book of life-enhancing wisdom and optimism, complete with durant's wit, knowledge, and unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple, exciting terms. it is the lessons of our heritage passed on for the edification and benefit of future generations — a fitting legacy from america's most beloved historian and philosopher. will durant's popularity as america's favorite teacher of history and philosophy remains undiminished by time. his books are accessible to readers of every kind, and his unique ability to compress complicated ideas and events into a few pages without ever "talking down" to the reader, enhanced by his memorable wit and a razor-sharp judgment about men and their motives, made all of his books huge bestsellers. heroes of history carries on this tradition of making scholarship and philosophy understandable to the general reader, and making them good reading, as well. will durant's work is marked by his own special quality as a writer — he is tough-minded, optimistic, courageous, and convinced that without a knowledge of the past there is no wisdom to guide us to the future. heroes of history was his last word on the subject, and much of it has been aimed directly at the doubts and fears of people today. it is a major, and unexpected, literary and historical event. this book is also available on audio tape and cd format, read by will and ariel durant.

Learn about the origins of our species and all things revolution in the history book. – part of the fascinating big ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. learn about history in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! the history book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. – the history book is a captivating introduction to the key events that have shaped society, from the dawn of civilization to the modern culture of today. here you’ll discover the stories of important historical events and turning points, and the leaders, thinkers, and heroes involved, through exciting text and bold graphics. – your history questions, simply explained – this book will outline big ideas, themes and events of world history, from the founding of baghdad and the colonization of the americas, to the inception of buddhism. if you thought it was difficult to learn about the milestones that have shaped civilization, the history book presents key information in an easy to follow layout. here you’ll learn about early humans, the empires of ancient history, the voyages of discovery to the tumultuous birth of nationalism, and the violence of two world wars. – with millions of copies sold worldwide, the history book is part of the award-winning big ideas series from dk. the series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Take a trip through the defining moments of our global story and see the thinkers, leaders, ideas, and inventions that have shaped the world. presented in a beautiful slipcase, world history is an essential guide for anyone who loves history or wants to broaden their knowledge. this accessible book covers over 350 of the world’s most important turning points, from our earliest human ancestors of prehistory to political events of the modern world. follow detailed maps showing the continuous movement of humans across the earth, and examine fascinating paintings illustrating the events and individuals that took them there. beautiful photography throughout the book will carry you back in time to see the people and places of the stories – along with stunning artifacts from every historical period.from magnificent buildings like the colosseum to magnificent words like “i have a dream!”, this guide brings history’s most significant events to life for every reader to discover and enjoy.

Born in 1926, married in 1947, crowned as queen in 1953, her majesty queen elizabeth ii carried out her duty with great dedication for more than seven decades. taschen celebrates her remarkable royal story with a new edition of her majesty, a definitive photographic collection of her public and private life.brimming with history, tradition, fashion, glamour, and culture, the book spans the queen's early years rightuntil her passing in 2022.. her majesty includes the work of such luminaries as cecil beaton, studio lisa, dorothy wilding, karsh, lord snowdon, david bailey, patrick lichfield, annie leibovitz and many others.

Usborne beginners history 10 books collection box set: stone age: this simple information book follows the history of stone age people and how they lived. iron age: this simple information book charts the history of iron age people and how they lived, including their farming methods, the gods they prayed to and the hill forts where they lived. egyptians: who were the ancient egyptians? why did they build pyramids and how were mummies made? ancient greeks: find out about ancient greece, what people wore, ate and did for fun and learn about some of the most famous philosophers and mathematicians of the age in this compelling book for beginner readers. celts: who were the celts exactly? did you know they lived on top of hills? do you have any idea how celtic warriors made themselves look really scary in battle? romans: who were the ancient romans? where did they go to eat, shop and wash? what did they do for fun? the maya: who were the maya? where did they live? why did they build tall stone temples? vikings: find out what it was like to be a viking, and learn about viking homes, feasts, boats, gods and much more in this fascinating book. castles: who lived in a castle, and what was it like? children can find out the answers to these questions and lots more about the wonderful world of castles in this informative book. digging up the past: how do ancient things get buried? who digs them up? and what do they find? beginner readers can find answers to these questions and more in this colourful information book.

Since its publication twenty years ago, j. roberts's monumental history of the world has remained the "unrivaled world history of our day" (a. p. taylor), selling more than a quarter of a million copies worldwide. now in an equally masterful performance, roberts displays his consummate skills of exposition in telling the tale of the european continent, from its neolithic origins and early civilizations of the aegean to the advent of the twenty-first century. a sweeping and entertaining history, the penguin history of europe comprehensively traces the development of european identity over the course of thousands of years, ranging across empires and religions, economics, science, and the arts. roberts's astute and lucid analyses of the disparate spheres of learning that have shaped european civilization and our understanding of it make the penguin history of europe a remarkable journey through the last two centuries.

Stretching from ancient rome to the world wide web and from the danelaw to the cold war, 366 days is a chronicle of the highs and lows of world history. this collection of 'on this day' historical accounts has been painstakingly researched to clearly explain the causes, course and consequences of each event that took place. whether it heralded a world-changing new discovery, the assassination of a leading politician, or a cow flying in an aeroplane, this collection of true stories and trivia from world history proves that every day deserves to be remembered. scott allsop is an award-winning history teacher and host of an itunes top-100 history podcast. he has drawn on over a decade's worth of teaching experience in the uk, egypt and romania to compile this engaging and entertaining daily guide to some of the most compelling historical events that have shaped today's world.

A new, completely revised, expanded and updated edition of the million-selling new york times bestseller that launched the entire don't know much about series when don't know much about history first appeared thirteen years ago, it created a sensation. with humor, wit, great stories, and a trademark conversational style, the book brought americans a fresh new take on history. shattering myths and vividly bringing the past to life, it spent thirty-five consecutive weeks on the new york times bestseller list. davis proved that americans don't hate history — they just hate the dull textbook version they were force-fed in school. the book became an instant classic, an "anti -textbook" that has sold more than 1.3 million copies. in his irreverent and popular question-and- answer style, davis now returns with a completely revised edition that brings history right up to the moment — covering such topics as the end of the cold war, clinton's impeachment, the bizarre election of 2000, and the events that led to september 11. incorporating new research and discoveries, davis also updates and expands on such long-standing american controversies as the jefferson-hemings affair, the alger hiss trial, and the rosenberg spy case. and he includes an expanded "civics lesson" that examines some of america's hottest social and political issues, such as the death penalty, gun control, and school prayer. for history buffs and history-phobes alike, longtime fans who need a refresher course, and for a new generation of americans who are still in the dark about america's past, davis proves once more why people magazine said, "reading him is like returning to the classroom of the best teacher you ever had."

Martin gilbert, author of the multivolume biography of winston churchill and other brilliant works of history, chronicles world events year by year, from the dawn of aviation to the flourishing technology age, taking us through world war i to the inauguration of franklin roosevelt as president of the united states and hider as chancellor of germany. he continues on to document wars in south africa, china, ethiopia, spain, korea, vietnam, and bosnia, as well as apartheid, the arms race, the moon landing, and the beginnings of the computer age, while interspersing the influence of art, literature, music, and religion throughout this vivid work. a rich, textured look at war, celebration, suffering, life, death, and renewal in the century gone by, this volume is nothing less than extraordinary.

Step into a time machine and witness some of the most significant events of the late 19th and early 20th century, brought to vivid life in full-color restorations of historic black-and-white photographs. this revolutionary photography collection is as close to time travel as it gets. featuring 120 historic black-and-white photographs thoroughly restored and rendered in color, this book illuminates some of the most iconic moments in history, from the sinking of the titanic to the construction of the golden gate bridge. brought to life with vibrant color, these incredible images effectively blur the distinction between past and present and bring history within arm's reach. with a timeline spanning more than 100 years, from 1839 to 1949, this unique collection will amaze history and photography buffs alike, offering new perspectives on significant moments of the 19th and 20th centuries. mesmerizing format: presented in reverse chronological order, this enchanting book takes you back through time, one stunning colorized photograph at a time. the left margin of each spread features a map and a timeline showing when and where each image was taken, as well as quotes from the time period that also help bring each historical moment to life. a wonderful gift: history as they saw it is a surefire conversation starter and a unique gift for any occasion. readers love it: with hundreds of 5-star ratings, reviewers rave that "this book changes how i see the past" and note that "the colorization by artist jordan lloyd is brilliant . . . and this presentation allows one to see the past much as one's ancestors did." perfect for: gift givers shopping for history buffs and photography lovers fans of ken burns, wes anderson, and national geographic people who enjoy collecting beautiful art, history, and photographic coffee table books

"not only an engrossing read about the distant past, both informative and entertaining, but also a profoundly thought-provoking view of our not-really-so-‘new’ present . . . all medieval history is here, beautifully narrated . . . the vision takes in whole imperial landscapes but also makes room for intimate portraits of key individuals, and even some poems."—wall street journal"a lively history . . . [jones] has managed to touch every major topic. as each piece of the puzzle is placed into position, the modern world gradually comes into view . . . powers and thrones provides the reader with a framework for understanding a complicated subject, and it tells the story of an essential era of world history with skill and style."—the new york times – when the once-mighty city of rome was sacked by barbarians in 410 and lay in ruins, it signaled the end of an era–and the beginning of a thousand years of profound transformation. in a gripping narrative bursting with big names—from st augustine and attila the hun to the prophet muhammad and eleanor of aquitaine—dan jones charges through the history of the middle ages. powers and thrones takes readers on a journey through an emerging europe, the great capitals of late antiquity, as well as the influential cities of the islamic west, and culminates in the first european voyages to the americas. – the medieval world was forged by the big forces that still occupy us today: climate change, pandemic disease, mass migration, and technological revolutions. this was the time when the great european nationalities were formed; when the basic western systems of law and governance were codified; when the christian churches matured as both powerful institutions and the regulators of western public morality; and when art, architecture, philosophical inquiry and scientific invention went through periods of massive, revolutionary change. – the west was rebuilt on the ruins of an empire and emerged from a state of crisis and collapse to dominate the world. every sphere of human life and activity was transformed in the thousand years covered by powers and thrones.

"not only an engrossing read about the distant past, both informative and entertaining, but also a profoundly thought-provoking view of our not-really-so-‘new’ present . . . all medieval history is here, beautifully narrated . . . the vision takes in whole imperial landscapes but also makes room for intimate portraits of key individuals, and even some poems."—wall street journal"a lively history . . . [jones] has managed to touch every major topic. as each piece of the puzzle is placed into position, the modern world gradually comes into view . . . powers and thrones provides the reader with a framework for understanding a complicated subject, and it tells the story of an essential era of world history with skill and style."—the new york times – when the once-mighty city of rome was sacked by barbarians in 410 and lay in ruins, it signaled the end of an era–and the beginning of a thousand years of profound transformation. in a gripping narrative bursting with big names—from st augustine and attila the hun to the prophet muhammad and eleanor of aquitaine—dan jones charges through the history of the middle ages. powers and thrones takes readers on a journey through an emerging europe, the great capitals of late antiquity, as well as the influential cities of the islamic west, and culminates in the first european voyages to the americas. – the medieval world was forged by the big forces that still occupy us today: climate change, pandemic disease, mass migration, and technological revolutions. this was the time when the great european nationalities were formed; when the basic western systems of law and governance were codified; when the christian churches matured as both powerful institutions and the regulators of western public morality; and when art, architecture, philosophical inquiry and scientific invention went through periods of massive, revolutionary change. – the west was rebuilt on the ruins of an empire and emerged from a state of crisis and collapse to dominate the world. every sphere of human life and activity was transformed in the thousand years covered by powers and thrones.

"not only an engrossing read about the distant past, both informative and entertaining, but also a profoundly thought-provoking view of our not-really-so-‘new’ present . . . all medieval history is here, beautifully narrated . . . the vision takes in whole imperial landscapes but also makes room for intimate portraits of key individuals, and even some poems."—wall street journal"a lively history . . . [jones] has managed to touch every major topic. as each piece of the puzzle is placed into position, the modern world gradually comes into view . . . powers and thrones provides the reader with a framework for understanding a complicated subject, and it tells the story of an essential era of world history with skill and style."—the new york times – when the once-mighty city of rome was sacked by barbarians in 410 and lay in ruins, it signaled the end of an era–and the beginning of a thousand years of profound transformation. in a gripping narrative bursting with big names—from st augustine and attila the hun to the prophet muhammad and eleanor of aquitaine—dan jones charges through the history of the middle ages. powers and thrones takes readers on a journey through an emerging europe, the great capitals of late antiquity, as well as the influential cities of the islamic west, and culminates in the first european voyages to the americas. – the medieval world was forged by the big forces that still occupy us today: climate change, pandemic disease, mass migration, and technological revolutions. this was the time when the great european nationalities were formed; when the basic western systems of law and governance were codified; when the christian churches matured as both powerful institutions and the regulators of western public morality; and when art, architecture, philosophical inquiry and scientific invention went through periods of massive, revolutionary change. – the west was rebuilt on the ruins of an empire and emerged from a state of crisis and collapse to dominate the world. every sphere of human life and activity was transformed in the thousand years covered by powers and thrones.

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout. – new york times bestseller yuval noah harari, author of the critically-acclaimed new york times bestseller and international phenomenon sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods. – over the past century humankind has managed to do the impossible and rein in famine, plague, and war. this may seem hard to accept, but, as harari explains in his trademark style—thorough, yet riveting—famine, plague and war have been transformed from incomprehensible and uncontrollable forces of nature into manageable challenges. for the first time ever, more people die from eating too much than from eating too little; more people die from old age than from infectious diseases; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals put together. the average american is a thousand times more likely to die from binging at mc – donalds than from being blown up by al qaeda. – what then will replace famine, plague, and war at the top of the human agenda? homo deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century—from overcoming death to creating artificial life. this is the next stage of evolution. – with the same insight and clarity that made sapiens an international hit and a new york times bestseller, harari maps out our future.