Book List

Best History Books of 2014

HISTORY

ENCOUNTERS AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD

by Elizabeth A. Fenn

An excellent contribution to the truth telling of the American Indian story. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

ASTORIA

by Peter Stark

A fast-paced, riveting account of exploration and settlement, suffering and survival, treachery and death. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

WAR! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

by Ian Morris

A disturbing, transformative text that veers toward essential reading. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

DARK INVASION

by Howard Blum

Instructive, yes, but also as engrossing as good detective fiction. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

SUPREME CITY

by Donald L. Miller

A scholarly enough social history but one with plenty of sex appeal. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE AGE OF RADIANCE

by Craig Nelson

An engaging history that raises provocative questions about the future of nuclear science. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE TRIGGER

by Tim Butcher

A haunting and illuminating book marking the centennial of the assassination. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

IN THE KINGDOM OF ICE

by Hampton Sides

A grand and grim narrative of thrilling exploration for fans of Into Thin Air, Mountains of the Moon and the like. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

A SPY AMONG FRIENDS

by Ben Macintyre

Gripping and as well-crafted as an episode of Smiley’s People, full of cynical inevitability, secrets, lashings of whiskey... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE

by Rick Perlstein

A compelling, astute chronicle of the politics and culture of late-20th-century America. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE HALF HAS NEVER BEEN TOLD

by Edward E. Baptist

Though some readers may find the narrative occasionally tedious, this is a complicated story involving staggering... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

WHEN PARIS WENT DARK

by Ronald C. Rosbottom

A profound historical portrait of Paris for anyone who loves the city. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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