With so many fascinating stories that make up our world history, it’s no surprise that there are almost too many options when it comes to choosing the right book. This list of fantastic history books will hopefully inspire you to get it just right this Christmas. From the extraordinary nurses of the past to the history of the hot air balloon to slave narratives, these history books are full of great stories.
Extraordinary Nurses Throughout History
Celebrating the amazing efforts of eight notable nurses, collected in honour of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday. This fascinating and insightful exposition of the lives and achievements of notable nurses will appeal to those with an interest in the history of nursing and is invaluable when studying how nursing has evolved throughout the ages.
Rasputin and the Russian Revolution – by Catherine Radziwill
This fascinating book explores the role that Rasputin played in the downfall of the Russian Empire and the revolution of 1917. Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (1869 – 1916) was a Russian mystic and holy man famous for his familiarity with the family of Tsar Nicholas II. He garnered significant influence in late imperial Russia. He was assassinated by a group of conservative noblemen who opposed his influence over the Tsars in 1916.
The Early History of Ballooning – The Age of the Aeronaut – by Fraser Simons
Beginning with the weird and wonderful early attempts at flight, such as the Benedictine monk who launched himself off Malmesbury Abbey, this book illustrates the history of the earliest and most majestic of aviation technologies, the balloon.
Through the Eyes of a Slave – Written Accounts of American Slavery
A carefully-selected collection of famous, influential and moving American slave narratives from a variety of authors including Solomon Northup’s “Twelve Years a Slave”, which was adapted into the 2013 blockbuster film of the same name. These compelling, inspirational, and often harrowing real-life stories offer a unique insight into the travails of slave life in nineteenth-century America and are highly recommended for those with an interest in this dark chapter of American history.
The Idea of History – by R. G. Collingwood
Considered Collingwood’s best work. Originally collated from numerous sources following his death by a student of his, T. M. Knox. It became a major inspiration for philosophy of history in the western world and is extensively cited to his day. This fascinating volume on history and its relationship to philosophy will appeal to students and collectors of vintage philosophical works alike.
Histories of the Kings of Britain – by Geoffrey of Monmouth
Written shortly after the Norman conquest, Monmouth’s “Histories of the Kings of Britain” attempted to create, for the British people, a national epic. In this seminal volume, he constructed a mythical history for Britain through the retelling of traditional tales, in particular stories of King Lear and King Arthur.
Modern Science and Anarchism – Peter Kropotkin
A 1903 work by Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin. A classic of anarchist literature this volume will appeal to those with an interest in anarchy-communism and social science in general.
The Last Days of the Romanovs – George Gustav Telberg
A detailed account of the end of the Romanov Dynasty. The House of Romanov was the second ruling Russian dynasty after the House of Rurik, reigning from 1613 until the Russian Revolution in 1917. The Romanov dynasty had 65 members at the start of 1917. By the end of it, 18 had been killed by the Bolsheviks while the remaining 47 had gone into exile abroad. With an account of the events leading up to this famous moment in history as well as testimonials of eye-witnesses, this volume provides a unique and fascinating insight into the Russian Revolution.
The Promised Land – by Mary Antin
Mary Antin’s 1912 autobiography, which tells the story of her early life in what is now Belarus and her immigration to the United States in 1894. Antin describes her public school education and assimilation into American culture, as well as life for Jews in Czarist Russia.
The Economic Consequences of the Peace – by John Maynard Keynes
This book was written and published after Keynes attended the Versailles Conference as a British delegate, where he argued for a more generous peace settlement. This book, containing his thoughts apropos this subject, became a best-seller throughout the world and was pivotal in engendering a public opinion that the Versailles Treaty was a “Carthaginian peace”.
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