Best History Books​ of All Time

The Proud Tower, the Pulitzer Prize–winning The Guns of August, and The Zimmerman Telegram comprise Barbara W. Tuchman’s classic histories of the First World War era.

In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize–winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the war’s key players, Tuchman’s magnum opus is a classic for the ages.

Praised as “the best military historian of our generation” by Tom Clancy, John Keegan reconsiders his masterful study of World War II, The Second World War, with a new foreword.

Keegan examines each theater of the war, focusing on five crucial battles and offering new insights into the distinctive methods and motivations of modern warfare. In eloquent, perceptive analyses of the airborne battle of Crete, the carrier battle of Midway, the tank battle of Falaise, the city battle of Berlin, and the amphibious battle of Okinawa, Keegan illuminates the strategic dilemmas faced by the leaders and the consequences of their decisions on the fighting men and the course of the war as a whole. An extraordinary, definitive history, The Second World War will be required reading for generations to come.

"The Second World War merits the acceptance as the standard work that it will surely recieve." -The Washington Post

"If you want to know how it happened, read Keegan's thoughtful and elegant prose." -Los Angeles Times

"Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a compelling exploration of leadership, human relationships, and the complexities of governance. This book delves into the life of Abraham Lincoln and his decision to surround himself with individuals who initially opposed him. Goodwin illustrates how Lincoln's ability to embrace differing viewpoints and cultivate a team of rivals ultimately contributed to his success as a leader during one of the most challenging periods in American history. Readers will find valuable lessons on empathy, collaboration, and the importance of diverse perspectives in overcoming obstacles. The narrative is engaging, with rich historical context and personal anecdotes that make it a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or personal growth.The book has been recommended by a diverse group of influential figures, including athletes, authors, educators, entrepreneurs, and executives. Notable names like Bill Gates and J.K. Rowling, along with political figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlight its appeal across various domains. This eclectic mix of recommenders suggests that "Team of Rivals" resonates with those who value leadership and collaboration in their respective fields. The endorsements from such a prominent group indicate that the book offers insights applicable not just in politics, but also in business, education, and personal development, making it relevant to a wide audience.

The fiftieth anniversary edition of the National Book Award–winning bestseller that is the definitive study of Adolf Hitler, the rise of Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, and World War II. This special edition now features a new introduction by Ron Rosenbaum, author of Explaining Hitler and How the End Begins.

No other powerful empire ever bequeathed such mountains of evidence about its birth and destruction as the Third Reich. When the bitter war was over, and before the Nazis could destroy their files, the Allied demand for unconditional surrender produced an almost hour-by-hour record of the nightmare empire built by Adolph Hitler. This record included the testimony of Nazi leaders and of concentration camp inmates, the diaries of officials, transcripts of secret conferences, army orders, private letters—all the vast paperwork behind Hitler's drive to conquer the world.

The famed foreign correspondent and historian William L. Shirer, who had watched and reported on the Nazis since 1925, spent five and a half years sifting through this massive documentation. The result is a monumental study that has been widely acclaimed as the definitive record of one of the most frightening chapters in the history of mankind.

Here is the complete story of Hitler's empire, one of the most important stories ever told, written by one of the men best equipped to write it.

This worldwide bestseller has been acclaimed as the definitive book on Nazi Germany; it is a classic work.

The History of the Peloponnesian War is a historical account of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC), which was fought between the Peloponnesian League (led by Sparta) and the Delian League (led by Athens). It was written by Thucydides, an Athenian historian who also happened to serve as an Athenian general during the war. His account of the conflict is widely considered to be a classic and regarded as one of the earliest scholarly works of history. The History is divided into eight books.

"Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond is an insightful exploration into the factors that have shaped human societies throughout history. It delves into the environmental and geographical influences that have led to the uneven distribution of wealth and power across different civilizations. By examining how these elements have affected the development of societies, Diamond challenges conventional narratives about race and culture. The book is not only thought-provoking but also engaging, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. Whether you're interested in history, sociology, or anthropology, this book provides a compelling argument that encourages readers to think critically about the world we live in.This book comes highly recommended by a diverse group of individuals, including renowned activists, scientists, authors, and media personalities. Notable figures such as Bill Gates and Neil Gaiman, along with comedians like Hannibal Buress and actors like J. Cole, have all endorsed it. The recommendations span various fields, suggesting that the book resonates with those who are influential in shaping cultural conversations. The presence of both artists and intellectuals indicates a shared appreciation for the book's depth and its ability to provoke meaningful dialogue about human history and progress.

"The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith is a foundational text in economics that should be on everyone's reading list. This book delves into the principles of free markets and the importance of self-interest in driving economic prosperity. Smith's insights into the division of labor and productivity have shaped modern economic theory and continue to influence policymakers and thinkers today. Reading this book provides not just historical context but also a framework for understanding contemporary economic challenges. Whether you are a student, a business professional, or simply curious about how economies function, Smith's arguments will spark critical thinking about wealth creation and distribution.This book comes highly recommended by a diverse group of individuals, including renowned leaders, philosophers, and public figures. Notably, the recommendations stem from a mix of activists, authors, scientists, and media personalities, highlighting its impact across various fields. The frequent endorsements from influential figures such as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and Noam Chomsky—who span politics, science, and social commentary—suggest that the book resonates with those who seek to understand the complexities of society and economics. This widespread acclaim indicates that "The Wealth of Nations" is not just a historical text but a vital resource for anyone engaged in discussions about economic systems and their societal implications.

Battle Cry of Freedom will undoubtedly become the classic one-volume history of the Civil War, filled with new interpretations and material, debunking old myths and confronting new ones.

From the commencement of one war in Mexico to the end of another at Appomattox, James McPherson's fast-paced narrative seamlessly incorporates the political, social, and military events that crammed the two decades. The book vividly recounts the momentous events that preceded the Civil War—the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln-Douglas debates, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry—and then moves into a masterful chronicle of the war itself—the battles, the strategic maneuvering on both sides, the politics, and the personalities—and then moves into a masterful chronicle of the war itself—the battles, the strategic maneuvering on both sides, the politics, McPherson's novel perspectives on issues such as slavery growth in the 1850s, the Republican Party's roots, the causes of secession, internal dissension and anti-war resistance in the North and South, and the reasons for the Union's triumph are particularly noteworthy.

The title of the book refers to the sentiments that informed both the Northern and Southern perspectives on the conflict: the South seceded in the name of the self-determination and self-government for which their forefathers had fought in 1776, while the North defended the Union founded by those forefathers as the bulwark of American liberty. Eventually, the North had to confront the war's root cause—slavery—and embrace an emancipation programme as a secondary goal. The noblest legacy of America's deadliest struggle is this "fresh birth of freedom," as Lincoln put it.

This authoritative text makes sense of the Civil War, the massive and perplexing "second American Revolution" that reshaped a nation and enriched our liberty inheritance.

#1 New York Times bestseller

Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize David McCullough tells the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly: Wilbur and Orville Wright.

On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two unknown brothers from Ohio changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe what had happened: the age of flight had begun, with the first heavier-than-air, powered machine carrying a pilot.

Who were these men and how was it that they achieved what they did?

David McCullough, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, tells the surprising, profoundly American story of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Far more than a couple of unschooled Dayton bicycle mechanics who happened to hit on success, they were men of exceptional courage and determination, and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity, much of which they attributed to their upbringing. The house they lived in had no electricity or indoor plumbing, but there were books aplenty, supplied mainly by their preacher father, and they never stopped reading.

When they worked together, no problem seemed to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity as few had ever seen. That they had no more than a public high school education, little money and no contacts in high places, never stopped them in their “mission” to take to the air. Nothing did, not even the self-evident reality that every time they took off in one of their contrivances, they risked being killed.

In this thrilling book, master historian David McCullough draws on the immense riches of the Wright Papers, including private diaries, notebooks, scrapbooks, and more than a thousand letters from private family correspondence to tell the human side of the Wright Brothers’ story, including the little-known contributions of their sister, Katharine, without whom things might well have gone differently for them.

Twenty-five years after its initial publication, The Making of the Atomic Bomb remains the definitive history of nuclear weapons and the Manhattan Project. From the turn-of-the-century discovery of nuclear energy to the dropping of the first bombs on Japan, Richard Rhodes’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book details the science, the people, and the socio-political realities that led to the development of the atomic bomb.

This sweeping account begins in the 19th century, with the discovery of nuclear fission, and continues to World War Two and the Americans’ race to beat Hitler’s Nazis. That competition launched the Manhattan Project and the nearly overnight construction of a vast military-industrial complex that culminated in the fateful dropping of the first bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Reading like a character-driven suspense novel, the book introduces the players in this saga of physics, politics, and human psychology—from FDR and Einstein to the visionary scientists who pioneered quantum theory and the application of thermonuclear fission, including Planck, Szilard, Bohr, Oppenheimer, Fermi, Teller, Meitner, von Neumann, and Lawrence.

From nuclear power’s earliest foreshadowing in the work of H.G. Wells to the bright glare of Trinity at Alamogordo and the arms race of the Cold War, this dread invention forever changed the course of human history, and The Making of The Atomic Bomb provides a panoramic backdrop for that story.

Richard Rhodes’s ability to craft compelling biographical portraits is matched only by his rigorous scholarship. Told in rich human, political, and scientific detail that any reader can follow, The Making of the Atomic Bomb is a thought-provoking and masterful work.

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time.

Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a classic," The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest biographies of our time. The publication of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt on September 14th, 2001 marks the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt becoming president.

"The Lessons of History" by Will & Ariel Durant is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the patterns that shape our world. This compelling book distills the vast complexities of history into insightful lessons that resonate today. By examining the causes and consequences of historical events, the Durants provide readers with a lens through which to view contemporary issues. Their exploration of themes such as war, economics, and human nature allows readers to reflect on the past and consider how it informs our present and future. It’s not just a recounting of events; it’s a thoughtful examination of the human experience that encourages critical thinking and self-reflection.Recommended by a diverse group of influential figures, including activists, authors, educators, entrepreneurs, and even a filmmaker, "The Lessons of History" has garnered attention from leaders across various fields. This eclectic mix of recommendations highlights the book's relevance in different contexts, resonating with those who seek to understand the broader implications of historical cycles. Notably, many of these recommenders are well-known in their respective areas—be it politics, technology, or literature—indicating that the insights contained within this book have appealed to individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also actively engaged in shaping societal discourse.

A brilliant and concise account of the lives and ideas of the great philosophers—Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Schopenhauer, Spencer, Nietzsche, Bergson, Croce, Russell, Santayana, James, and Dewey—The Story of Philosophy is one of the great books of our time. Few write for the non-specialist as well as Will Durant, and this book is a splendid example of his eminently readable scholarship. Durant’s insight and wit never cease to dazzle; The Story of Philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history and development of philosophical ideas in the Western world.