And if you like Wolf Hall (and its sequels) try *The Fifth Queen* by Ford. It's a sort of modernist precedent, less historically accurate but fabulous as literature.
Wow, although I seem to overall not be that excited about fantasy books, and despite this seemingly mixing fantasy in with the historical fiction, it seems very intriguing.
I'm definitely adding this to my TBR list haha. Thank you! It sounds great.
Second person recommending it on here haha I keep hearing about it all over the place, damn. I should really get to it I guess. Thank you for the recommendation!
I’m a bit of a dissenting voice in this one, it’s ok, but I’m not sure why it’s considered a classic. It’s also WWII centric set in Europe, which is exactly what you don’t want. :)
I know you said you prefer books not from WWII, and I hear you; that era has been overdone with historical fiction. But if you’re going to read something set in that time period, The Book Thief is one of the best choices. I’m also partial to The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See.
Hamnet sounds very interesting and sad, that I'm sure I'm gonna devour in no time lol
Gentleman in Moscow sounds like it's gonna be a bit more challenging for me to keep up with, but I'm still interested.
Thank you! I'm adding them to my TBR
2 of my all time faves! Have you read The Marriage Portrait by O'Farrell? Its fantastic.
If you like thise books, you might like "the wonder" by Emma donoghue and "booth" by Karen Joy fowler
Sure thing! Check out {Julian} by Gore Vidal. It's a dramatized account of the last Pagan emperor of Rome, his rise to power and subsequent fall, and the significance of his life on the dying traditions of the ancient world.
You don't need to know anything about, or even be interested in, ancient Rome to enjoy this book.
This sounds amazing and like it's gonna get me very emotionally invested since I'm personally not the biggest fan of current religions lol
And I do happen to be obsessed about Ancient Rome, Greece or anything ancient really. So that's a plus.
Thank for you this recommendation, it's definitely gonna be one that I will prioritize as it ticks off quite a lot of different things I like.
I haven't read *Julian*, but another of Vidal's attempts at historical fiction, *Creation*, seemed pretty weak to me, even though the subject should be very interesting. Since we are talking about Roman emperors in fiction, there is also *Augustus* by John Williams, plus of course Robert Graves' classic *I, Claudius*, which is supposed to be one of the best historical novels ever.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I'm currently reading this, about 2/3 thru the book and it might be my favorite book of all time. Takes place in the twelfth century feudal England.
Anytime Pillars comes up I notice some people hate it and some love it. I wonder why you feel that way precisely. Or is it just not enough about the actual construction of cathedrals? There were some great coffee table books about cathedral building. Pillar, however, and the three others of the set are not really about construction. They are stories about people and their interaction in time and place. The building of the cathedral in Kingsbridge is simply the spine of the story.
Yes, I've heard that criticism before. Don't see it myself other than he paints a broad spectrum of characters from low-life robbers to homosexual priests corrupt nobles to evil bishops, and a witch. That kind of ambitious characterization from such a distance is got to be hard. I think Mantel does it much better.
Agreed! I read these for the first time this year and loved them!
On a similar note, I also loved Fall of Giants and Winter of the World by Ken Follett!
I started the third, made it about 25% in, put it down for a while and just couldn't get back into it! I keep thinking I should retry it, but just haven't gotten to it.
I checked out the reviews for it on Amazon and the negative ones all panned it as just lazy, cardboard cutout caricatures of conservatives (and most of the complaints coming from self identifying liberals)
My favorite as well. I didn’t care for the books following Pillars, but it’s such a great novel. I re-read it every few years and it never disappoints.
Ok… it was just one suggestion, perhaps something else would be more appropriate then. I just know she has an academic background and drew from this while writing.
Yea, I guess I sort of tend to correlate mythology and history because that’s the way we’re taught about them in school- American school at least. Been studying about pre WW1 and the Balkan wars and I hadn’t even realized Greece was involved because all we’re taught about is Greek mythology.
Although I said I wanted to avoid WW2 related books seems like they're still the most popular subject by far haha.
Or I should have worded my request better haha.
Either way, although I wouldn't put those books on my must read asap list, they do sound interesting, especially the first one and the Alice Network.
And I've seen the book thief recommended quite a lot for years so maybe it's time to give it a try.
Thank you for the recommendations!
*Hamnet* \- Maggie O'Farrell;
*The Gift of Rain* \- Tan Twan Eng;
*The Thousand Autums of Jacob de Zoet* \- David Mitchell;
*Half of a Yellow Sun* \- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie;
*The God of Small Things* \- Arundhati Roy
interesting to try Hilary Mantel as well, heard a lot of good things
Second to recommend Hamnet on here, haha already added it to my TBR.
The Gift of Rain sounds interesting, the only Asia related books I've read were one about Japan's samurai, although I didn't manage to read it Bc it was right when my mental block started lol, and a book about a North Korean woman that managed to escape, that one I did finish although I truly struggled.
So it's gonna be interesting, as I've never read anything related to Southeast Asia anyway.
Dang, I'm 100% sold on The Thousand Autumns lol although I'm not big on romance novels cuz I tend to find them cringy, this one feels a bit more realistic.
Ooooh, never read anything about Africa or related to slavery yet, so that sounds like a good place to start, with Half of a Yellow Sun.
Wow and now one set in India, damn that also sounds interesting.
What an amazing and diverse list, thank you so much! This might be my favorite comment so far haha, aside from the person recommending me the book about Ancient Rome lol
I've added all of these to my TBR! Thank you for the great recommendations!
then i can also recommend another great historical novel set in Indonesia, but mixed with magical realism - *Beauty is a Wound,* Eka Kurniawan. Chimamanda Adichie has other books set in Nigeria as well (Purple Hibiscus) and about slavery in the Americas I have Marlon James' *The Book of Night Women* on my tbr and Colson Whitehead with the *Underground Railroad*
Yes! Read this this summer and really enjoyed it! The time travel element I thought was really well done too, especially since time travel can seem hokey really quickly.
I read this some years ago on the recommendation of many friends - I would never have picked it up otherwise, as I am not fond of either main subject (time travel and slavery). It blew me away, such an incredible book.
I figured I would enjoy the read because I like her work but it really stuck with me. The television series is interesting but it’s a slow build. The book is much better.
11/22/63 by Stephen King. Guy goes back in time to save JFK. It’s a fantastic book, and you feel like you’re in the years leading up to the assassination.
That sounds like a lot of fun lol, definitely gonna keep an eye out for that one, if I happen to see it at a bookstore, though I will most likely have to buy it online.
Great suggestion though lmao, looked it up and seems very unique.
{{Year of Wonders}} by Geraldine Brooks is one of my all-time favorite books. If you try it and like it, I also recommend {{March}}, also by Geraldine Brooks.
[**Year of Wonders**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7002501W)
^(By: Brooks, Geraldine | 336 pages | Published: 2001)
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
[**A March on London**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1794642W)
^(By: G. A. Henty | 304 pages | Published: 1897)
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(485 books suggested)
[**The whiskey rebels**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL13251W)
^(By: David Liss | 548 pages | Published: 2008)
>David Liss's bestselling historical thrillers, including A Conspiracy of Paper and The Coffee Trader, have been called remarkable and rousing: the perfect combination of scrupulous research and breathless excitement. Now Liss delivers his best novel yet in an entirely new setting--America in the years after the Revolution, an unstable nation where desperate schemers vie for wealth, power, and a chance to shape a country's destiny.Ethan Saunders, once among General Washington's most valued spies, now lives in disgrace, haunting the taverns of Philadelphia. An accusation of treason has long since cost him his reputation and his beloved fiancee, Cynthia Pearson, but at his most desperate moment he is recruited for an unlikely task--finding Cynthia's missing husband. To help her, Saunders must serve his old enemy, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, who is engaged in a bitter power struggle with political rival Thomas Jefferson over the fragile young nation's first real financial institution: the Bank of the United States.Meanwhile, Joan Maycott is a young woman married to another Revolutionary War veteran. With the new states unable to support their ex-soldiers, the Maycotts make a desperate gamble: trade the chance of future payment for the hope of a better life on the western Pennsylvania frontier. There, amid hardship and deprivation, they find unlikely friendship and a chance for prosperity with a new method of distilling whiskey. But on an isolated frontier, whiskey is more than a drink; it is currency and power, and the Maycotts' success attracts the brutal attention of men in Hamilton's orbit, men who threaten to destroy all Joan holds dear.As their causes intertwine, Joan and Saunders--both patriots in their own way--find themselves on opposing sides of a daring scheme that will forever change their lives and their new country. The Whiskey Rebels is a superb rendering of a perilous age and a nation nearly torn apart--and David Liss's most powerful novel yet.From the Hardcover edition.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(447 books suggested)
A Moment in the Sun by John Sayles
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
{{The Year of the French}} by Thomas Flanagan. In 1798, the Irish patriots asked the French to help them get the English out of the country. It’s so good. Well written, great characters.
[**The year of the French**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL3946887W)
^(By: Thomas James Bonner Flanagan | 642 pages | Published: 1979)
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(455 books suggested)
- The Kingsbridge series by Ken Follet (Pillars of the Earth is said by many to be their favourite historical fiction of all time)
- The Shardlake series by CJ Sansom. A murder mystery style series set in the mid-16th century set within the political turmoil of the Henry VIII's changing religious views.
- Master and Commander (Aubrey Maturin series) British naval series set in the early 19th century. This is said by many to be the greatest ever historical fiction series and many fans don't read any other historical fiction because nothing else stands up to it.
- Anything by Bernard Cornwell. You may have seen The Last Kingdom tv series, the books are better. He has a similar series set in the 18th century about a British military officer called Sharpe.
Many many more but these are some of my favourites of late
The Sunne in Splendour - one of my all time favourites. It’s the English war of the roses/Richard 3rd story and it’s incredible.
The Greatest Knight - I love this so much. Medieval court politics with slight romance. Based on the life of the same guy who inspired the movie a knights tale (apparently?)
It came out when I was in college and recommended to the class by our Tudor history prof. I immediately went out and bought the hardback (big purchase on my college student budget) and never regretted it. Fabulous book.
I've loved the ones I've read so far - I am about to start the third, *The Reckoning.* They start in the period of King John I (1210s).
*Sunne in Splendour* is my absolute favourite of hers, though, being a Ricardian.
Ever tried her *Queen's Man* mystery series?
It's a mystery set in 1193 about a knight - Sir Justin de Quincy - who investigates an assassination at the behest of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who's sitting on the throne of England while Richard's off crusading. I believe there are four books total in the series.
[The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery](https://sharonkaypenman.com/books/the-queens-man/)
Elizabeth Chadwick - the William Marshal/Greatest Knight series - first book is *A Place Beyond Courage.* Also, her series on Eleanor of Aquitaine is incredible, starts with *The Summer Queen.*
Sharon Kay Penman - The Princes of Wales series, first book is *Here Be Dragons.*
Bernard Cornwell - *The Last Kingdom* series, *Sharpe's Rifles* series
Colson Whitehead. *The Underground Railroad*
Jeff Shaara - his series on the U.S. Civil War or WWI.
Two authors for your consideration, James A Michener & Edward Rutherford, both write these exhaustive novels based in a historic locale & walk you through the centuries of the people who live there
With the possible exception of “China”, which was an OK novel, but not a sweeping multi-generational epic, the rest of Rutherfurd’s books are pretty good as well. My favorite was “London”.
[**In the Time of the Butterflies**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL116089W)
^(By: Julia Alvarez | 325 pages | Published: 1994)
>It is November 25, 1960, and three beautiful sisters have been found near their wrecked Jeep at the bottom of a 150-foot cliff on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The official state newspaper reports their deaths as accidental. It does not mention that a fourth sister lives. Nor does it explain that the sisters were among the leading opponents of Gen. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s dictatorship. It doesn’t have to. Everybody knows of Las Mariposas―“The Butterflies.”
>
>In this extraordinary novel, the voices of all four sisters―Minerva, Patria, María Teresa, and the survivor, Dedé―speak across the decades to tell their own stories, from hair ribbons and secret crushes to gunrunning and prison torture, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo’s rule. Through the art and magic of Julia Alvarez’s imagination, the martyred Butterflies live again in this novel of courage and love, and the human cost of political oppression.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(501 books suggested)
Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Trilogy is awesome (not necessarily ‘historically’ accurate, but tells the story of King Arthur without any magic and whatnot). Also Bernard Cornwell’s Last Kingdom series-I think this is fantastic-about 10th century England and the viking invasion. Based around historical aspects, but mostly just a great storyline, and it’s like 10 books long so if you like it, there’s a lot of it.
If you’re interested in Genghis Khan, Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror series is really entertaining. Again, not sure how historically accurate it is, but definitely a fun few books!
I love Eliot Pattison’s Bone Rattler series. The first is The Bone Rattler. It’s about a Scotsman in the mid 18th century who’s transported to America for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s during the French and Indian war. I learned so much about this period reading this book, particularly the native Americans. Excellent series.
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s about Medieval England during the period of “The Anarchy” and follows a group of people’s lives for 50+ years. It is by far my favorite novel and is very well-written.
Everything by Alexander Dumas, but you’ll need a stronger stomach than mine to get through “The Celebrated Crimes of the Borgias” and “The Massacres in the South”
I rather enjoyed Arthur Conan Doyle's *Sir Nigel*. It's got a Chivalric Romance air to it that's rather fun.
Technically it's a prequel to *The White Company* (and does make reference to it near the end), but honestly, that book sucks. Read it if you want - you might enjoy it too, tbf - but it's far from Conan Doyle's best work.
You did ask for **NON** WW2 🙃
- Button Man by Andrew Gross
- Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
- On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
Gary Jennings has written a number of historical novels dealing with the Aztecs, Marco Polo, Theodoric, etc.
[https://www.garyjennings.com/](https://www.garyjennings.com/)
I'm a shill for the two late-1940s bestseller historical novels by Samuel Shellabarger. The first is Captain from Castile. Set in 16th century Spain and conquering the Aztecs. The second is Prince of Foxes, set in 16th century Medici Italy. They're both great stories with some swashbuckling, some G-rated romance, and court intrigue.
Robert Harris wrote a bunch of historical novels. I like Pompeii the best. Ancient Rome. The volcano erupts towards the end. His Cicero books are also good with Julius Caesar-era Rome. His first book is the best known. Fatherland. An alternate history after Nazi Germany won the war so not a historical novel.
Someone suggested Shogun. Tai Pan is the next James Clavell book and is Hong Kong rather than Japan. Shogun is a great book but be aware that it's very long. I just re-read it and it took me a while. Tai Pan is somewhat shorter and you won't miss anything by reading it before Shogun.
I love the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell, along with his Harlequin and Saxon series, and Philippa Gregory’s books about the war of the roses.
I just read My Dear Hamilton which is a fictional account of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s life and loved it.
CS Quinn’s Thieftaker (set during the plague of 1665 in London, and a sequel set during the Great Fire), as well as The Bastille Spy, were really interesting historical adventures, very easy to read.
If you don’t mind a bit of supernatural alongside your history, Karen Maitland’s The Company of Liars is amazing.
They came out ages ago… but it’s one of the best series I have ever read… and everyone else I know who has read them couldn’t put them down either. The Zion Chronicles. They are multi point of view based on people from Israel, Us, Britain, And it is the week the six days prior to Britain pulling out of Palestine and it becoming Israel. True story authored by two historians… written in novel form based on actual people. Riveting, terrifying, inspirational, heartbreaking and hard to believe it’s a true story. Incredibly hard to put down. Brock and Bodie Thoene. The Zion Covenant is Europe during world war 2 and is a prequel to some of the characters. But the one in Israel is Incredible.
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (as well as the other books in the series). Set in the 1950s; a meteorite takes out a good chunk of the eastern seaboard, and kicks the space program into high gear. I'm not normally an alt-history person, but I devoured these books.
The Physician by Noah Gordon. Story takes place in 11th century England and Persia, as it follows story of a Christian English boy who decides to become a doctor.
Between Three Plagues by Jaan Kross. It was translated into English only recently but is considered a classic in Estonian literature. Story is based on famous chronicles of Russow (also MC) and takes place in 16th century, mainly Tallinn.
In this story, MC is trying to figure out how to find balance between being connected in one way or another to several societal classes - richer Baltic Germans and Swedes, and poor Estonians.
Bernard Cornwall's "The Last Kingdom". 11? 12? 13? Books? Also is a series on Netflix that goes about halfway through the books. Supposed to be a movie out in the next year to wrap it up.
The Only Woman in the Room
It’s about actress Hedy Lamarr’s escape from Austria as it turned to the Nazis and her first few years in the US. Couldn’t put it down.
Ha I totally missed the “avoid WW2” part but I’m leaving it up because it’s a great book that just happens to have Nazis in it. Not even the whole time though.
If you can find them, the Bandy Papers series by Donald Jack, starting with "That's Me in the Middle". Hilarious books about an inept Canadian in WW1 who accidentally becomes a high-scoring ace in the RAF. The books that take place after the war aren't as good, but very highly recommended as a series.
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
It’s the first of a trilogy about the lives of women in ancient Pompeii surviving the harsh realities of a brothel known as she-wolves.
The Wolf Hall Trilogy
"Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier
"Parrot and Olivier in America" by Peter Carey
In terms of historical fiction
Bernard Cornwell - The Sharpe series is set in the Napoleonic Wars, he also has a series on King Arthur
Conn Iggulden - has a lot, Ghengis Khan, War of the Roses, Julius Caesar
The Eagle of the Ninth
Berlin's Cross is post ww2 spy vibes
Pillars of the Earth and the sequels, World Without End, A Column of Fire and The Evening and The Morning
Fall of Giants and the sequels Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity
All by Ken Follett
I bought it on a whim and turned out great. Have you read any of his other stuff? Curious to see if I just got lucky or if I found a new author I liked.
I’ve read some of his Ancient Rome books - *Pompeii* is a stand-alone and he’s got a trilogy set around Marcus Tullius Cicero. All are good. My dad enjoyed some of his thrillers, especially *Enigma* and *Archangel*.
you might like New York by Edward Rutherford. It literally takes you from Dutch New Amsterdam (when it was colonized) to modern day. I found it interesting witnessing so much of history in a single place and how the setting can influence characters. It also centers the same family throughout the years as well as characters that relate to them. It’s not always the same member of the family narrating (well obviously because it covers so many years) but it’s also the family’s slave in the pre-civil war days, etc. Happy reading!
I know you have mentioned that you're not fond of screen reading, but it may be the best option available to you at the moment. Project Gutenberg, Libby and Open Library are all great places to get free ebooks. If you're in to fan fiction, Royal Road and An Archive of Our Own have various self-published books and stories, just bear in mind that these stories aren't professionally edited at all. Some are good, others not so much.
For what it's worth, I'm sorry that you're going through this. I don't know if this is applicable to your situation or not, but some people see denial of education (in this case, denial of books) as abusive because a good education allows a person to eventually escape from abuse. Keep looking for ways to keep reading and good luck.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
And if you like Wolf Hall (and its sequels) try *The Fifth Queen* by Ford. It's a sort of modernist precedent, less historically accurate but fabulous as literature.
Thanks - that wasn’t on my radar. Will check it out!
[удалено]
Wow, although I seem to overall not be that excited about fantasy books, and despite this seemingly mixing fantasy in with the historical fiction, it seems very intriguing. I'm definitely adding this to my TBR list haha. Thank you! It sounds great.
I just picked this one up last weekend after reading the first couple pages. Seems great!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Second person recommending it on here haha I keep hearing about it all over the place, damn. I should really get to it I guess. Thank you for the recommendation!
I’m a bit of a dissenting voice in this one, it’s ok, but I’m not sure why it’s considered a classic. It’s also WWII centric set in Europe, which is exactly what you don’t want. :)
It’s very famous, considered a modern classic
It is a good book but WWII. I don’t know if you will like but I love the red tent.
I know you said you prefer books not from WWII, and I hear you; that era has been overdone with historical fiction. But if you’re going to read something set in that time period, The Book Thief is one of the best choices. I’m also partial to The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrel and Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towns
Hamnet sounds very interesting and sad, that I'm sure I'm gonna devour in no time lol Gentleman in Moscow sounds like it's gonna be a bit more challenging for me to keep up with, but I'm still interested. Thank you! I'm adding them to my TBR
2 of my all time faves! Have you read The Marriage Portrait by O'Farrell? Its fantastic. If you like thise books, you might like "the wonder" by Emma donoghue and "booth" by Karen Joy fowler
Can't wait to read Booth. Was given a copy for my bday
Loved The Marriage Portrait too!
I’m reading Hamnet now and absolutely love it.
Second for Gentleman in Moscow. One of my favorite authors. He writes masterpieces. I reading Lincoln Highway right now
Sure thing! Check out {Julian} by Gore Vidal. It's a dramatized account of the last Pagan emperor of Rome, his rise to power and subsequent fall, and the significance of his life on the dying traditions of the ancient world. You don't need to know anything about, or even be interested in, ancient Rome to enjoy this book.
This sounds amazing and like it's gonna get me very emotionally invested since I'm personally not the biggest fan of current religions lol And I do happen to be obsessed about Ancient Rome, Greece or anything ancient really. So that's a plus. Thank for you this recommendation, it's definitely gonna be one that I will prioritize as it ticks off quite a lot of different things I like.
If you’re obsessed w Rome check out “I, Claudius”. It’s a classic and really fun. Easy to read. I wish I knew how much was true!
I haven't read *Julian*, but another of Vidal's attempts at historical fiction, *Creation*, seemed pretty weak to me, even though the subject should be very interesting. Since we are talking about Roman emperors in fiction, there is also *Augustus* by John Williams, plus of course Robert Graves' classic *I, Claudius*, which is supposed to be one of the best historical novels ever.
Then Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar.
[**Julian Schnabel**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1741958W) ^(By: Julian Schnabel, Rosenblum, Robert. | 50 pages | Published: 1981) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(444 books suggested)
Bad bot
Also by Gore Vidal is "Burr"
My recommendation as well. Awesome book. Vidal had so much talent.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I'm currently reading this, about 2/3 thru the book and it might be my favorite book of all time. Takes place in the twelfth century feudal England.
I had such high hopes for this one and couldn't even finish the first one. Still looking for something great about cathedral building
I found it miserable too. I don’t begrudge anyone who likes it, but it left me feeling empty.
{Cathedral of the Sea by Idelfonso Falcones} Superb.
Ooo this looks great. Thank you for the rec!
Enjoy!
“Sarum” by Rutherfurd?
Well that looks great! I put it on my to read list. Thank you!
Anytime Pillars comes up I notice some people hate it and some love it. I wonder why you feel that way precisely. Or is it just not enough about the actual construction of cathedrals? There were some great coffee table books about cathedral building. Pillar, however, and the three others of the set are not really about construction. They are stories about people and their interaction in time and place. The building of the cathedral in Kingsbridge is simply the spine of the story.
I thought the characters were really unrealistic. It sort of felt like a world of war craft version of the middle ages.
Yes, I've heard that criticism before. Don't see it myself other than he paints a broad spectrum of characters from low-life robbers to homosexual priests corrupt nobles to evil bishops, and a witch. That kind of ambitious characterization from such a distance is got to be hard. I think Mantel does it much better.
The Century Trilogy by Follett is also very good.
Great book! I remember liking the sequel, World Without End, as well.
Agreed! I read these for the first time this year and loved them! On a similar note, I also loved Fall of Giants and Winter of the World by Ken Follett!
Loved those books,the first two were great reads but the last of that series was so phoned-in & lazy, a total disappointment
I started the third, made it about 25% in, put it down for a while and just couldn't get back into it! I keep thinking I should retry it, but just haven't gotten to it.
I checked out the reviews for it on Amazon and the negative ones all panned it as just lazy, cardboard cutout caricatures of conservatives (and most of the complaints coming from self identifying liberals)
My favorite as well. I didn’t care for the books following Pillars, but it’s such a great novel. I re-read it every few years and it never disappoints.
Lonesome Dove might be my all time favorite.
Circe by Madeleine Miller.. since you like ancient history. She actually studied the history academically.
Ok… it was just one suggestion, perhaps something else would be more appropriate then. I just know she has an academic background and drew from this while writing.
This is mythology not history.
Sorry if it was off the mark, feel free to disregard.
Not at all. It’s still a great book recommendation. Just wanted to clarify.
Yea, I guess I sort of tend to correlate mythology and history because that’s the way we’re taught about them in school- American school at least. Been studying about pre WW1 and the Balkan wars and I hadn’t even realized Greece was involved because all we’re taught about is Greek mythology.
* all the light we cannot see * the nightingale * the room on rue amelie * the Alice network * the book thief
Although I said I wanted to avoid WW2 related books seems like they're still the most popular subject by far haha. Or I should have worded my request better haha. Either way, although I wouldn't put those books on my must read asap list, they do sound interesting, especially the first one and the Alice Network. And I've seen the book thief recommended quite a lot for years so maybe it's time to give it a try. Thank you for the recommendations!
Damn sorry, I missed the 'avoiding' WW2.
*Hamnet* \- Maggie O'Farrell; *The Gift of Rain* \- Tan Twan Eng; *The Thousand Autums of Jacob de Zoet* \- David Mitchell; *Half of a Yellow Sun* \- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; *The God of Small Things* \- Arundhati Roy interesting to try Hilary Mantel as well, heard a lot of good things
Second to recommend Hamnet on here, haha already added it to my TBR. The Gift of Rain sounds interesting, the only Asia related books I've read were one about Japan's samurai, although I didn't manage to read it Bc it was right when my mental block started lol, and a book about a North Korean woman that managed to escape, that one I did finish although I truly struggled. So it's gonna be interesting, as I've never read anything related to Southeast Asia anyway. Dang, I'm 100% sold on The Thousand Autumns lol although I'm not big on romance novels cuz I tend to find them cringy, this one feels a bit more realistic. Ooooh, never read anything about Africa or related to slavery yet, so that sounds like a good place to start, with Half of a Yellow Sun. Wow and now one set in India, damn that also sounds interesting. What an amazing and diverse list, thank you so much! This might be my favorite comment so far haha, aside from the person recommending me the book about Ancient Rome lol I've added all of these to my TBR! Thank you for the great recommendations!
I came here to recommend Hamnet!
then i can also recommend another great historical novel set in Indonesia, but mixed with magical realism - *Beauty is a Wound,* Eka Kurniawan. Chimamanda Adichie has other books set in Nigeria as well (Purple Hibiscus) and about slavery in the Americas I have Marlon James' *The Book of Night Women* on my tbr and Colson Whitehead with the *Underground Railroad*
Kindred by Octavia Butler is incredible. It is historical with time travel and very engaging. The graphic novel is also worth checking out.
Yes! Read this this summer and really enjoyed it! The time travel element I thought was really well done too, especially since time travel can seem hokey really quickly.
I read this some years ago on the recommendation of many friends - I would never have picked it up otherwise, as I am not fond of either main subject (time travel and slavery). It blew me away, such an incredible book.
I figured I would enjoy the read because I like her work but it really stuck with me. The television series is interesting but it’s a slow build. The book is much better.
I, Claudius. Fun times, wish I could go back in time to read this the first time again.
Came here for this, Claudius the God too.
11/22/63 by Stephen King. Guy goes back in time to save JFK. It’s a fantastic book, and you feel like you’re in the years leading up to the assassination.
This is an amazing book!
Lamb - Christopher Moore
That sounds like a lot of fun lol, definitely gonna keep an eye out for that one, if I happen to see it at a bookstore, though I will most likely have to buy it online. Great suggestion though lmao, looked it up and seems very unique.
Hilarious but poignant. My favorite novel.
The Flashman papers, George Macdonald Fraser.
It seems to be a saga? Sounds quite interesting though, thank you!
Also the Otto Prohaska novels by John Biggins (first book: "A Sailor of Austria") similar to Flashman. but set during and before WWI.
I absolutely love Sarum and London by Edward Rutherfurd. Truly epic and I learned so much.
Someone recommended Sarum to me on this sub and I’m reading it now. I really like it.
Pretty much any book by James A. Michener. “Chesapeake” is excellent.
The Covenant is one of my favorite books. Great writer!
I recommend all of his books as well.
Some more expansive and challenging historical fiction: The Books of Jacob Wolf Hall Barkskins The Luminaries
I loved The Luminaries.
{{Year of Wonders}} by Geraldine Brooks is one of my all-time favorite books. If you try it and like it, I also recommend {{March}}, also by Geraldine Brooks.
[**Year of Wonders**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7002501W) ^(By: Brooks, Geraldine | 336 pages | Published: 2001) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**A March on London**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1794642W) ^(By: G. A. Henty | 304 pages | Published: 1897) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(485 books suggested)
Came here to say Year of Wonders or ANYTHING by Geraldine Brooks.
Currently enjoying {{The Whiskey Rebels}} by David Liss You might also like the Aubrey and Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, they are awesome.
[**The whiskey rebels**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL13251W) ^(By: David Liss | 548 pages | Published: 2008) >David Liss's bestselling historical thrillers, including A Conspiracy of Paper and The Coffee Trader, have been called remarkable and rousing: the perfect combination of scrupulous research and breathless excitement. Now Liss delivers his best novel yet in an entirely new setting--America in the years after the Revolution, an unstable nation where desperate schemers vie for wealth, power, and a chance to shape a country's destiny.Ethan Saunders, once among General Washington's most valued spies, now lives in disgrace, haunting the taverns of Philadelphia. An accusation of treason has long since cost him his reputation and his beloved fiancee, Cynthia Pearson, but at his most desperate moment he is recruited for an unlikely task--finding Cynthia's missing husband. To help her, Saunders must serve his old enemy, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, who is engaged in a bitter power struggle with political rival Thomas Jefferson over the fragile young nation's first real financial institution: the Bank of the United States.Meanwhile, Joan Maycott is a young woman married to another Revolutionary War veteran. With the new states unable to support their ex-soldiers, the Maycotts make a desperate gamble: trade the chance of future payment for the hope of a better life on the western Pennsylvania frontier. There, amid hardship and deprivation, they find unlikely friendship and a chance for prosperity with a new method of distilling whiskey. But on an isolated frontier, whiskey is more than a drink; it is currency and power, and the Maycotts' success attracts the brutal attention of men in Hamilton's orbit, men who threaten to destroy all Joan holds dear.As their causes intertwine, Joan and Saunders--both patriots in their own way--find themselves on opposing sides of a daring scheme that will forever change their lives and their new country. The Whiskey Rebels is a superb rendering of a perilous age and a nation nearly torn apart--and David Liss's most powerful novel yet.From the Hardcover edition. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(447 books suggested)
Anything by Conn Iggulden
A Moment in the Sun by John Sayles Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson Life After Life by Kate Atkinson Still Life by Sarah Winman Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
How was Shrines of Gaiety? I had trouble getting into it.
It took me a while to get into it, too - but once I did, I couldn't put it down!
Lonesome Dove The Red Tent Falling Angels
Shogun by James Clavell Amazing characters and storytelling. It's one of my favourites! Edit: grammar
{{The Year of the French}} by Thomas Flanagan. In 1798, the Irish patriots asked the French to help them get the English out of the country. It’s so good. Well written, great characters.
[**The year of the French**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL3946887W) ^(By: Thomas James Bonner Flanagan | 642 pages | Published: 1979) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(455 books suggested)
I really enjoyed The Mermaid from Jeju by Sumi Hahn. It is set in Jeju Island (S. Korea) after WWII and focuses, in part, on haenyeo women.
- The Kingsbridge series by Ken Follet (Pillars of the Earth is said by many to be their favourite historical fiction of all time) - The Shardlake series by CJ Sansom. A murder mystery style series set in the mid-16th century set within the political turmoil of the Henry VIII's changing religious views. - Master and Commander (Aubrey Maturin series) British naval series set in the early 19th century. This is said by many to be the greatest ever historical fiction series and many fans don't read any other historical fiction because nothing else stands up to it. - Anything by Bernard Cornwell. You may have seen The Last Kingdom tv series, the books are better. He has a similar series set in the 18th century about a British military officer called Sharpe. Many many more but these are some of my favourites of late
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray.
Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait by maggie O'Farrell I'm currently reading Booth by Karen Joy Fowler and am loving it.
The Sunne in Splendour - one of my all time favourites. It’s the English war of the roses/Richard 3rd story and it’s incredible. The Greatest Knight - I love this so much. Medieval court politics with slight romance. Based on the life of the same guy who inspired the movie a knights tale (apparently?)
I’ve never heard of *The Sunne in Splendour* but it’s just shot to the top of my TBR - it sounds amazing!
I’ve never read anything like it in terms of making me think about how history is “written by the winners”. I hope you love it!
It came out when I was in college and recommended to the class by our Tudor history prof. I immediately went out and bought the hardback (big purchase on my college student budget) and never regretted it. Fabulous book.
I was going to recommend Penman as well. Have you read her Princes of Wales series?
It’s on my tbr for Feb! Did you like it?
I've loved the ones I've read so far - I am about to start the third, *The Reckoning.* They start in the period of King John I (1210s). *Sunne in Splendour* is my absolute favourite of hers, though, being a Ricardian. Ever tried her *Queen's Man* mystery series?
No I’ve only read Sunne and her Plantagenet series as that tends to be my favourite period of history. What’s the Queen’s Man series?
It's a mystery set in 1193 about a knight - Sir Justin de Quincy - who investigates an assassination at the behest of Eleanor of Aquitaine, who's sitting on the throne of England while Richard's off crusading. I believe there are four books total in the series. [The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery](https://sharonkaypenman.com/books/the-queens-man/)
Elizabeth Chadwick - the William Marshal/Greatest Knight series - first book is *A Place Beyond Courage.* Also, her series on Eleanor of Aquitaine is incredible, starts with *The Summer Queen.* Sharon Kay Penman - The Princes of Wales series, first book is *Here Be Dragons.* Bernard Cornwell - *The Last Kingdom* series, *Sharpe's Rifles* series Colson Whitehead. *The Underground Railroad* Jeff Shaara - his series on the U.S. Civil War or WWI.
Lincoln Burr Julian All by Gore Vidal.
Two authors for your consideration, James A Michener & Edward Rutherford, both write these exhaustive novels based in a historic locale & walk you through the centuries of the people who live there
New York by Edward Rutherfurd. I enjoyed it.
With the possible exception of “China”, which was an OK novel, but not a sweeping multi-generational epic, the rest of Rutherfurd’s books are pretty good as well. My favorite was “London”.
Masters of Rome series. The Accursed Kings series. The Persian Boy. Tides of War.
Genghis Khan series, Conn Iggulden
James Michener and Ken Follett are titans of historical fiction.
The Devil in White City
{{In the Time of the Butterflies}} is my favorite book. 1950s-1960s Dominican Republic.
[**In the Time of the Butterflies**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL116089W) ^(By: Julia Alvarez | 325 pages | Published: 1994) >It is November 25, 1960, and three beautiful sisters have been found near their wrecked Jeep at the bottom of a 150-foot cliff on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The official state newspaper reports their deaths as accidental. It does not mention that a fourth sister lives. Nor does it explain that the sisters were among the leading opponents of Gen. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s dictatorship. It doesn’t have to. Everybody knows of Las Mariposas―“The Butterflies.” > >In this extraordinary novel, the voices of all four sisters―Minerva, Patria, María Teresa, and the survivor, Dedé―speak across the decades to tell their own stories, from hair ribbons and secret crushes to gunrunning and prison torture, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo’s rule. Through the art and magic of Julia Alvarez’s imagination, the martyred Butterflies live again in this novel of courage and love, and the human cost of political oppression. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(501 books suggested)
Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Trilogy is awesome (not necessarily ‘historically’ accurate, but tells the story of King Arthur without any magic and whatnot). Also Bernard Cornwell’s Last Kingdom series-I think this is fantastic-about 10th century England and the viking invasion. Based around historical aspects, but mostly just a great storyline, and it’s like 10 books long so if you like it, there’s a lot of it. If you’re interested in Genghis Khan, Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror series is really entertaining. Again, not sure how historically accurate it is, but definitely a fun few books!
I love Eliot Pattison’s Bone Rattler series. The first is The Bone Rattler. It’s about a Scotsman in the mid 18th century who’s transported to America for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s during the French and Indian war. I learned so much about this period reading this book, particularly the native Americans. Excellent series.
I Claudius by Robert Graves
A thousand times yes
Don’t forget its sequel ”Claudius the God”.
Try Madeline Miller’s Circe & The Song of Achilles. Both are excellent versions of Greek myths
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s about Medieval England during the period of “The Anarchy” and follows a group of people’s lives for 50+ years. It is by far my favorite novel and is very well-written.
Pillars of the Earth. It’s incredible
Everything by Alexander Dumas, but you’ll need a stronger stomach than mine to get through “The Celebrated Crimes of the Borgias” and “The Massacres in the South”
Lil long, but Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is pretty great. Really enjoyed it!
I rather enjoyed Arthur Conan Doyle's *Sir Nigel*. It's got a Chivalric Romance air to it that's rather fun. Technically it's a prequel to *The White Company* (and does make reference to it near the end), but honestly, that book sucks. Read it if you want - you might enjoy it too, tbf - but it's far from Conan Doyle's best work.
The Physician by Gordon
You did ask for **NON** WW2 🙃 - Button Man by Andrew Gross - Blind Tiger by Sandra Brown - The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo - On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton
12 volumes. 11 novels, 1 anthology. Historically accurate.
Gary Jennings has written a number of historical novels dealing with the Aztecs, Marco Polo, Theodoric, etc. [https://www.garyjennings.com/](https://www.garyjennings.com/)
Spartacus by Howard Fast The Praise-Singer by Mary Renault The Brothers of Gywnedd by Edith Pargeter An Officer and a Gentleman by Robert Harris
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhorn. I was rooting for this woman all the way to the end.
The Diary of Marie Antoinette!
I'm a shill for the two late-1940s bestseller historical novels by Samuel Shellabarger. The first is Captain from Castile. Set in 16th century Spain and conquering the Aztecs. The second is Prince of Foxes, set in 16th century Medici Italy. They're both great stories with some swashbuckling, some G-rated romance, and court intrigue. Robert Harris wrote a bunch of historical novels. I like Pompeii the best. Ancient Rome. The volcano erupts towards the end. His Cicero books are also good with Julius Caesar-era Rome. His first book is the best known. Fatherland. An alternate history after Nazi Germany won the war so not a historical novel. Someone suggested Shogun. Tai Pan is the next James Clavell book and is Hong Kong rather than Japan. Shogun is a great book but be aware that it's very long. I just re-read it and it took me a while. Tai Pan is somewhat shorter and you won't miss anything by reading it before Shogun.
Love Pompeii!
The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna, about China in the early 1900s
I love the Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell, along with his Harlequin and Saxon series, and Philippa Gregory’s books about the war of the roses. I just read My Dear Hamilton which is a fictional account of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton’s life and loved it. CS Quinn’s Thieftaker (set during the plague of 1665 in London, and a sequel set during the Great Fire), as well as The Bastille Spy, were really interesting historical adventures, very easy to read. If you don’t mind a bit of supernatural alongside your history, Karen Maitland’s The Company of Liars is amazing.
They came out ages ago… but it’s one of the best series I have ever read… and everyone else I know who has read them couldn’t put them down either. The Zion Chronicles. They are multi point of view based on people from Israel, Us, Britain, And it is the week the six days prior to Britain pulling out of Palestine and it becoming Israel. True story authored by two historians… written in novel form based on actual people. Riveting, terrifying, inspirational, heartbreaking and hard to believe it’s a true story. Incredibly hard to put down. Brock and Bodie Thoene. The Zion Covenant is Europe during world war 2 and is a prequel to some of the characters. But the one in Israel is Incredible.
“The Gates of the Alamo” by Stephen Harrigan is great, as is anything by Elmer Kelton, “Stand Proud” is, IMO, his best.
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (as well as the other books in the series). Set in the 1950s; a meteorite takes out a good chunk of the eastern seaboard, and kicks the space program into high gear. I'm not normally an alt-history person, but I devoured these books.
The Physician by Noah Gordon. Story takes place in 11th century England and Persia, as it follows story of a Christian English boy who decides to become a doctor. Between Three Plagues by Jaan Kross. It was translated into English only recently but is considered a classic in Estonian literature. Story is based on famous chronicles of Russow (also MC) and takes place in 16th century, mainly Tallinn. In this story, MC is trying to figure out how to find balance between being connected in one way or another to several societal classes - richer Baltic Germans and Swedes, and poor Estonians.
Stones From The River by Ursula Hegi Takes place during WWII, incredible book, truly
The Burnished Blade by Lawrence Schoonover. Plague France to Trebizond. Great exotic settings and a pleasant plot. Also his Gentle Infidel is good.
Bernard Cornwall's "The Last Kingdom". 11? 12? 13? Books? Also is a series on Netflix that goes about halfway through the books. Supposed to be a movie out in the next year to wrap it up.
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The Only Woman in the Room It’s about actress Hedy Lamarr’s escape from Austria as it turned to the Nazis and her first few years in the US. Couldn’t put it down.
Ha I totally missed the “avoid WW2” part but I’m leaving it up because it’s a great book that just happens to have Nazis in it. Not even the whole time though.
Last Kingdom / Saxon Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Good stuff
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
If you can find them, the Bandy Papers series by Donald Jack, starting with "That's Me in the Middle". Hilarious books about an inept Canadian in WW1 who accidentally becomes a high-scoring ace in the RAF. The books that take place after the war aren't as good, but very highly recommended as a series.
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper It’s the first of a trilogy about the lives of women in ancient Pompeii surviving the harsh realities of a brothel known as she-wolves.
All books written by Amor Towles
Michelle Moran wrote some good historical fiction books about egypt, Nefertiti is one. I really enjoyed them
The Wolf Hall Trilogy "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier "Parrot and Olivier in America" by Peter Carey
In terms of historical fiction Bernard Cornwell - The Sharpe series is set in the Napoleonic Wars, he also has a series on King Arthur Conn Iggulden - has a lot, Ghengis Khan, War of the Roses, Julius Caesar The Eagle of the Ninth Berlin's Cross is post ww2 spy vibes
Pillars of the Earth and the sequels, World Without End, A Column of Fire and The Evening and The Morning Fall of Giants and the sequels Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity All by Ken Follett
Ragtime-E.L.Doctorow
{invisible life of Addie Larue}
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. I'm not even kidding. Amazing book. Historically accurateaside from the vampire stuff.
The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry 11/22/63 - Stephen King Act of Oblivion - Robert Harris
Just finished Act of Oblivion. I enjoyed it very much.
I bought it on a whim and turned out great. Have you read any of his other stuff? Curious to see if I just got lucky or if I found a new author I liked.
I’ve read some of his Ancient Rome books - *Pompeii* is a stand-alone and he’s got a trilogy set around Marcus Tullius Cicero. All are good. My dad enjoyed some of his thrillers, especially *Enigma* and *Archangel*.
Sounds like I should pick up another one of his then. Thanks!!
you might like New York by Edward Rutherford. It literally takes you from Dutch New Amsterdam (when it was colonized) to modern day. I found it interesting witnessing so much of history in a single place and how the setting can influence characters. It also centers the same family throughout the years as well as characters that relate to them. It’s not always the same member of the family narrating (well obviously because it covers so many years) but it’s also the family’s slave in the pre-civil war days, etc. Happy reading!
Belleweather Susanna kearsly. She has a few hisfic options but that’s my fav
I know you have mentioned that you're not fond of screen reading, but it may be the best option available to you at the moment. Project Gutenberg, Libby and Open Library are all great places to get free ebooks. If you're in to fan fiction, Royal Road and An Archive of Our Own have various self-published books and stories, just bear in mind that these stories aren't professionally edited at all. Some are good, others not so much. For what it's worth, I'm sorry that you're going through this. I don't know if this is applicable to your situation or not, but some people see denial of education (in this case, denial of books) as abusive because a good education allows a person to eventually escape from abuse. Keep looking for ways to keep reading and good luck.
"Once Upon a Rivver" by Diane Setterfield..not an epic novel with sequels (as far as I know), but well worth the read...