The best 93 US History books

US History is a fascinating and complex subject that sheds light on the events, ideas, and people that have shaped the nation. Gaining a deeper understanding of America's past can provide valuable context for our present and future. Our selected list of books is here to help you explore this rich history.

These books cover a wide range of topics and perspectives, offering insights into the diverse narratives that make up the American story. So, don't hesitate and immerse yourself in these captivating reads today!
1
The Trial of Henry Kissinger

The Trial of Henry Kissinger

Christopher Hitchens
4.4 (94 ratings)

What's The Trial of Henry Kissinger about?

In The Trial of Henry Kissinger, Hitchens shows a side of Henry Kissinger few would have imagined possible. He delves into the dark side of American foreign policy and shows first-hand examples of Kissinger’s criminal activities in Vietnam, Bangladesh and East Timor, and of his human rights violations and war crimes.

Who should read The Trial of Henry Kissinger?

  • Anyone interested in the dark side of US foreign policy
  • Anyone interested in human rights
  • Anyone interested in the twentieth-century and Cold War history

2
One Summer

One Summer

Bill Bryson
America, 1927
4.1 (19 ratings)

What's One Summer about?

One Summer (2013) tells the story of the summer of 1927, a particularly pivotal three months in American history. The summer of 1927 marked the emergence of the United States as a major power on the international scene and set the stage for the Great Depression of the ‘30s. One Summer takes a closer look at a number of 1927’s important events, such as Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Babe Ruth’s recording-breaking 60 home runs in a season and the execution of Italian anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti.   

Who should read One Summer?

  • Anyone interested in baseball, anarchism or the Great Depression
  • Anyone curious about the roots of American hegemony
  • Anyone interested in the dark reality behind the glitz of the roaring ‘20s

3
Unfair

Unfair

Adam Benforado
The New Science of Criminal Justice
4.2 (13 ratings)

What's Unfair about?

Unfair (2015) outlines the major flaws inherent to the United States’ justice system. In addition to the unreliability of eyewitness testimony or the arbitrary nature of many judges’ decisions, every actor in the entire justice system – cops, lawyers, jurors and judges alike – is fundamentally, yet unconsciously, biased. Ultimately, the author argues that addressing these blind biases is the key to reforming our justice system.

Who should read Unfair?

  • Anyone interested in law, ethics and society
  • Lawyers and law students curious about the foundations of the US justice system
  • Anyone with aspirations to change the world for the better

4
Common Sense

Common Sense

Thomas Paine
3.8 (202 ratings)

What's Common Sense about?

When it was originally published, Common Sense (1776) came in the form of a pamphlet, which George Washington read to his troops during the American Revolutionary War. These blinks are a window into the political mind of one of America’s founding fathers, and will explain the logic that led to the American revolution, as well as to the establishment of an entirely new government.

Who should read Common Sense?

  • Anyone interested in the origins of America’s political identity and constitution
  • Politically engaged people who want to better understand the roots of American foreign policy

5
Bourbon Empire

Bourbon Empire

Reid Mitenbuler
The Past and Future of America's Whiskey
4.5 (23 ratings)

What's Bourbon Empire about?

Bourbon Empire (2015) takes you on an exciting journey through time, revealing the complex history of America’s famous corn-based whiskey. Learn how this tipple survived the dry period of Prohibition, numerous corruption scandals and competition from overseas spirits while making its mark in politics and society.

Who should read Bourbon Empire?

  • People interested in what makes a “true” bourbon
  • Students curious about the role whiskey played in American history
  • Bartenders, mixologists or anyone exploring the popularity of bourbon

6
Two Nations Indivisible

Two Nations Indivisible

Shannon K. O’Neil
Mexico, the United States and the Road Ahead
4.0 (18 ratings)

What's Two Nations Indivisible about?

Two Nations Indivisible (2013) tells the story of the United States’ relationship with its neighbor to the south: Mexico. These blinks explain the profound connections between the two countries as well as the misunderstandings that keep them apart, with an emphasis on political and economic relations.

Who should read Two Nations Indivisible?

  • Policy makers who want to understand more about the US-Mexico relationship
  • Educators and students interested in world politics
  • Americans and Mexicans hoping to understand each other better

7
Back Channel to Cuba

Back Channel to Cuba

William M. LeoGrande & Peter Kornbluh
The Hidden History of Negotiations Between Washington and Havana
4.7 (24 ratings)

What's Back Channel to Cuba about?

With unprecedented access to declassified documents, Back Channel to Cuba (2014) reveals the long and bumpy road of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. Find out how 50 years of unsuccessful foreign policy have kept Cuba and the United States at odds despite the efforts of secret, back-channel negotiations that have been taking place since the Eisenhower administration.

Who should read Back Channel to Cuba?

  • History buffs interested in one of the longest US conflicts
  • Politicos wanting a behind-the-scenes look at foreign policy
  • Aspiring diplomats in search of the dos and don’ts of diplomacy

8
America’s Bank

America’s Bank

Roger Lowenstein
The Epic Struggle to Create the Federal Reserve Act
4.3 (28 ratings)

What's America’s Bank about?

In America’s Bank (2015), you’ll discover the gripping story of the US Federal Reserve, or “Fed.” These blinks trace the history behind the development and unification of the American banking system and show the complex web of interests and players that continue to shape the system today.

Who should read America’s Bank?

  • Students interested in economics or politics
  • People interested in American history

9
From Silk to Silicon

From Silk to Silicon

Jeffrey E. Garten
The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives
4.0 (56 ratings)

What's From Silk to Silicon about?

From Silk to Silicon (2016) tells the stories of several key figures who influenced the globalization of the world economy, from Andrew Grove to Genghis Khan. These blinks take you through centuries of history to meet the major players who shaped the development of human societies, employing everything from unbridled free trade to iron-fisted authoritarian rule.

Who should read From Silk to Silicon?

  • History buffs
  • Students of political science or economics
  • People looking for the inspiration they need to change the world

10
The Looming Tower

The Looming Tower

Lawrence Wright
Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11
4.1 (40 ratings)

What's The Looming Tower about?

The Looming Tower (2006) is all about al-Qaeda, its formation, and the personalities behind it. These blinks detail the route taken to power by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and the run-up to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack that devastated the United States.

Who should read The Looming Tower?

  • Anyone interested in the global effects of national policies
  • Political science junkies
  • History enthusiasts

11
Killing Lincoln

Killing Lincoln

Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever
4.3 (75 ratings)

What's Killing Lincoln about?

Killing Lincoln (2011) tells the story behind the assassination of president Abraham Lincoln, which took place in 1865, shortly after the Confederate army had surrendered, effectively putting an end to the US Civil War. Learn all about the conspirators who plotted the killing, what their motives were and the details surrounding the fateful night at Ford’s Theater.

Who should read Killing Lincoln?

  • History buffs
  • Readers curious about Lincoln’s assassination
  • Civil War fanatics

12
The WikiLeaks Files

The WikiLeaks Files

Julian Assange (introduction)
The World According to US Empire
4.6 (23 ratings)

What's The WikiLeaks Files about?

The WikiLeaks Files (2015) provides fascinating and digestible insights from WikiLeaks, the organization that came to worldwide prominence with the release of 251,287 US State Department cables in 2010. These blinks paint a bleak picture of an American empire and its machinations.

Who should read The WikiLeaks Files?

  • Global citizens concerned with world affairs
  • Students of political science or international relations
  • Diplomats and others working in civil service

13
Sea Power

Sea Power

James Stavridis
The History and Geopolitics of the World’s Oceans
4.1 (44 ratings)

What's Sea Power about?

Sea Power (2017) provides an enlightening look at the role Earth’s oceans have played over the course of human history. From early voyagers who sailed into the vast unknown, to the tens of thousands of commercial ships now traversing the globe on a daily basis, our oceans have always been a powerful force that we’ve longed to tame and control. While we’ve come a long way, we still find ourselves faced with immense challenges that we’ll only overcome by working together.

Who should read Sea Power?

  • History buffs
  • News junkies worried about the future
  • Readers interested in politics and global affairs

14
Barbarians at the Gate

Barbarians at the Gate

Bryan Burrough, John Helyar
The Fall of RJR Nabisco
4.1 (43 ratings)

What's Barbarians at the Gate about?

Barbarians at the Gate (1989) tells the story of one of the largest corporate deals in US history, the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. These blinks provide a gripping portrait of the extreme and extravagant behavior in corporate America during the 1980s.

Who should read Barbarians at the Gate?

  • Anyone working in finance or business who wants to learn about a legendary deal
  • Citizens appalled by the excesses of corporate America
  • Anyone enthralled by hostile takeovers and cutthroat dealings

15
A People’s History of the United States

A People’s History of the United States

Howard Zinn
4.0 (223 ratings)

What's A People’s History of the United States about?

A People’s History of the United States (2015, first edition 1980) walks you through the United States’ past from the perspective of the marginalized, the disenfranchised and the oppressed. These blinks describe a history of uprisings, protests and activism in the face of a government built for the rich.

Who should read A People’s History of the United States?

  • Activists and advocates of social change
  • Students of political science and US history
  • Readers looking for a fresh perspective on the US government

16
Killing the Rising Sun

Killing the Rising Sun

Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
How America Vanquished World War II Japan
4.3 (75 ratings)

What's Killing the Rising Sun about?

Killing the Rising Sun (2016) tells the story of the Pacific War, which took place between 1941 and 1945, and its main belligerents, the United States and Japan. From the attack on Pearl Harbor to bloody invasions of Japan to the development of the world’s first atomic bomb, the book portrays the brutality of World War II from a US perspective, and describes how the war was eventually won.

Who should read Killing the Rising Sun?

  • Fans of world history and politics
  • Military enthusiasts
  • Anyone obsessed with or fascinated by the story of World War II

17
Hue 1968

Hue 1968

Mark Bowden
A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam
4.4 (51 ratings)

What's Hue 1968 about?

The Vietnam War is remembered as one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts of the twentieth century. At the end of 1967, the US government was assuring the public the war was almost won; by February 1968, that was no longer the case. In Hue 1968 (2017) Mark Bowden examines the battle in the city of Hue which changed the way the American public viewed the war.

Who should read Hue 1968?

  • Anyone interested in modern American history
  • Students of politics or international relations
  • Soldiers and veterans

18
The Soul of America

The Soul of America

Jon Meacham
The Battle for Our Better Angels
4.1 (65 ratings)

What's The Soul of America about?

The Soul of America (2018) takes readers on an enlightening tour of America’s tumultuous past. From the final moments of the Civil War to the long overdue civil rights and voting legislation of the 1960s, the book reveals the United States for what it has always been: a nation of deep and lasting conflict. By looking to America’s past, we can see both where today’s political divides stem from and why the nation will likely be able to persevere.

Who should read The Soul of America?

  • Readers eager for perspective on current events
  • Students of history and politics
  • Fans of historical insight

19
The First Conspiracy

The First Conspiracy

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington
4.3 (75 ratings)

What's The First Conspiracy about?

The First Conspiracy (2019) explores the shocking 1776 plot to kidnap, and possibly assassinate, George Washington. Washington was not yet president of the United States, but general of the colonies’ army. Using fascinating anecdotes and insights from this period of history, these blinks examine the suspicions, uncertainty and betrayals in the period leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Who should read The First Conspiracy?

  • History buffs looking for fresh insights into America’s revolutionary era
  • True crime enthusiasts
  • Anyone interested in George Washington’s life and times

20
The Doomsday Machine

The Doomsday Machine

Daniel Ellsberg
Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner
4.5 (40 ratings)

What's The Doomsday Machine about?

The Doomsday Machine (2017) follows famed whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg on his journey from learning about nuclear bombs in school to rewriting the national security policy for the United States of America. It explores the use of nuclear systems throughout history and how close we came to ending the human race.

Who should read The Doomsday Machine?

  • Modern history buffs with a particular interest in wars
  • International relations students
  • People interested in US nuclear strategy

21
Presidents of War

Presidents of War

Michael Beschloss
The epic story, from 1807 to modern times
4.4 (69 ratings)

What's Presidents of War about?

Presidents of War (2018) is a panoramic study of eight US presidents and the conflicts into which they led their country. Detailing each POTUS’ motivations for war, their decisions once hostilities began, and the mood of the press and public at home, these absorbing portraits of wartime leaders look at American history on the grandest of scales – from the War of 1812 to Vietnam. 

Who should read Presidents of War?

  • Americans wanting to understand their past leaders
  • Foreigners whose knowledge of American history is limited to the twentieth century 
  • Future presidents trying to avoid the mistakes of their predecessors

22
Upheaval

Upheaval

Jared Diamond
Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
4.3 (364 ratings)

What's Upheaval about?

Upheaval (2019) takes us through some of modern history’s biggest national crises to find out how each nation ended up in such trouble, and how they managed to get out of it. Looking at seven different nations, author Jared Diamond reveals how some of the same problems and solutions have emerged time and again, whether we’re looking at Chile and Indonesia in the 1970s, or Australia and Germany after WWII.

Who should read Upheaval?

  • History buffs
  • Students of political science
  • Globally minded individuals interested in world affairs

23
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee

David Treuer
Native America from 1890 to the Present
4.1 (85 ratings)

What's The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee about?

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (2019) is a vivid history of Native America since the 1890 massacre at South Dakota’s Wounded Knee Creek. These blinks show that – contrary to popular opinion – in the twentieth century, Native Americans did not slide into obscurity and achieve nothing of note. On the contrary, this was a time filled with momentous and extraordinary events.

Who should read The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee?

  • History students
  • Government officials who could learn more about Indigenous cultures
  • Americans unaware of modern Native American history

24
Siege

Siege

Michael Wolff
Trump Under Fire
4.3 (40 ratings)

What's Siege about?

Siege (2019) gives a detailed account of Donald Trump’s presidency between 2017 and early 2019, portraying a White House that always seems to be on the brink of collapse. In a blow-by-blow description of the seismic events of Trump’s second and third years in office, Michael Wolff evokes an administration under siege.

Who should read Siege?

  • Readers who are morbidly fascinated by the Trump presidency
  • Fans of gripping political narratives
  • US citizens wondering whether their president will see through a full term in office

25
American Carnage

American Carnage

Tim Alberta
On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump
3.9 (72 ratings)

What's American Carnage about?

American Carnage (2019) details the ideological battle at the heart of the Republican Party over the last decade. From George Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” to the Tea Party’s right-wing fervor, Tim Alberta covers the ideological metamorphosis that led to Donald Trump’s presidency.

Who should read American Carnage?

  • Anyone with an interest in American politics 
  • Budding Washington hacks
  • Those anxious about the rise of the far right

26
Mindf*ck

Mindf*ck

Christopher Wylie
Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America
4.5 (122 ratings)

What's Mindf*ck about?

Mindf*ck (2019), written by a whistleblower, tells the story of the largest data crime in history to date. On the eve of the 2016 United States presidential election, consulting firm Cambridge Analytica harvested the Facebook data from 87 million people and used it to conduct a mass disinformation campaign. Now, the full story has finally come to light.

Who should read Mindf*ck?

  • Americans who want to understand Cambridge Analytica’s role in the Trump election
  • Left- and right-wingers feeling increasingly resentful of the other side
  • Brits interested in why the Brexit referendum turned out the way it did

27
Bedtime Biography: Shoot for the Moon

Bedtime Biography: Shoot for the Moon

James Donovan
The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11
4.7 (39 ratings)

What's Bedtime Biography: Shoot for the Moon about?

Narrated by Oliver Mains

Music by Federico Coderoni

Shoot for the Moon (2019) provides a riveting, wide-ranging account of the early space race. It guides you through the historic Apollo 11 mission which first landed humans on the moon, and sheds light on the legacy of the preceding missions that paved its way.

Who should read Bedtime Biography: Shoot for the Moon?

  • Anyone interested in the space race and the Cold War
  • Science geeks interested in NASA’s early endeavors
  • Future astronauts who need to do their homework

28
Crime in Progress

Crime in Progress

Glenn Simpson, Peter Fritsch
Inside the Steele Dossier and the Fusion GPS Investigation of Donald Trump
3.7 (25 ratings)

What's Crime in Progress about?

Crime in Progress (2019) is the thrilling inside story of the intelligence agency that first started investigating the links between Donald Trump and Russia. Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch of Fusion GPS relate how they commissioned the infamous Steele Dossier, which alleged that the Russians had leverage over Trump, and the astonishing series of events to which this led.

Who should read Crime in Progress?

  • Fans of American politics
  • Readers who enjoy a political thriller
  • Anyone who’s been glued to the news for the past several years

29
The Conscience of a Conservative

The Conscience of a Conservative

Barry Goldwater
4.4 (133 ratings)

What's The Conscience of a Conservative about?

The Conscience of a Conservative (1960) is a classic statement of the conservative mindset. Penned in an age of bipartisan support for big government, Barry Goldwater’s manifesto rekindled a conservative movement committed to shrinking the state. Over the next 20 years, Goldwater’s positions on topics such as taxation, education, and welfare became commonsensical on the American right, laying the foundations for the 1980s Reagan revolution. 

Who should read The Conscience of a Conservative?

  • History buffs and politicos 
  • Advocates of limited government 
  • Liberals interested in the other side of the argument

30
Code Girls

Code Girls

Liza Mundy
The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
4.5 (59 ratings)

What's Code Girls about?

Code Girls (2017) is about the thousands of American women who worked as code breakers during World War II. Informed by interviews with over 20 surviving women, archived documents, and recently declassified oral histories, author Liza Mundy details the unprecedented lives of female code breakers in Washington, DC and beyond as well as the American intelligence that led to the success of the Allied war efforts.

Who should read Code Girls?

  • History buffs
  • Espionage enthusiasts interested in the history of cryptography
  • Students of science or gender studies

31
Dark Towers

Dark Towers

David Enrich
Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump, and an Epic Trail of Destruction
4.4 (87 ratings)

What's Dark Towers about?

Dark Towers (2020) is a heavily researched look into the ignominious rise and devastating fall of Deutsche Bank. Over the course of 150 years, the bank helped build the American railroad system, funded Nazi genocide, schmoozed Russian oligarchs, and had a hand in the election of President Donald Trump. When Deutsche executive Bill Broeksmit killed himself in 2014, he came to symbolize the destructive power of the bank’s institutional greed.

Who should read Dark Towers?

  • People who work in finance
  • Anyone still mad about the government’s Wall Street bailout
  • Stock market watchers

32
A Very Stable Genius

A Very Stable Genius

Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig
Donald J. Trump's Testing of America
3.6 (104 ratings)

What's A Very Stable Genius about?

A Very Stable Genius (2020) is the definitive account of Donald Trump’s time in the White House. After three years of silence, dozens of public officials and other first-hand witnesses familiar with the workings of the Trump administration went on record with reporters Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker. Their testimony forms the backbone of these blinks, which reveal the forty-fifth president of the United States up close. 

Who should read A Very Stable Genius?

  • Politics buffs 
  • News junkies looking for the bigger picture 
  • Journalists and reporters

33
Figuring

Figuring

Maria Popova
4.1 (74 ratings)

What's Figuring about?

Figuring (2019) traces the intricate web that connects important figures from human history, from German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and inventor Nikola Tesla to America’s first female astronomer Maria Mitchell and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. These blinks pick up the tapestry of these different lives, trace the impact that they had on the course of history, and reveal the secret driving force that unites them all.

Who should read Figuring?

  • Voracious readers across all genres
  • Poets who love science
  • Scientists who love poetry

34
The Lincoln Conspiracy

The Lincoln Conspiracy

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President – and Why It Failed
4.6 (60 ratings)

What's The Lincoln Conspiracy about?

The Lincoln Conspiracy (2020) tells the story of the first assassination attempt on America’s 16th president – before he was even president. Organized by a secret cabal of pro-slavery Southern secessionists, the plot was foiled by famous private detective Allan Pinkerton, as well as Kate Warne, one of his agents, and the first female detective in America.

Who should read The Lincoln Conspiracy?

  • Civil War fanatics
  • Lincoln geeks
  • Anyone interested in the story of abolitionism

35
Hawai'i

Hawai'i

Sumner La Croix
Eight Hundred Years of Political and Economic Change
4.3 (32 ratings)

What's Hawai'i about?

Hawai’i (2019) is a detailed history of the economic forces that have shaped Hawaiian society. Author Sumner La Croix traces the arc of commerce, from traditions first established in the twelfth century by Polynesian colonists to the modern Hawaiian state. Along the way, he examines what has changed and what has stayed the same.

Who should read Hawai'i?

  • Anyone interested in the dark side of paradise
  • Students of colonialism
  • Labor historians

36
Americana

Americana

Bhu Srinivasan
A 400-Year History of American Capitalism
4.4 (70 ratings)

What's Americana about?

Americana (2017) traces the history of the USA from one key perspective: capitalism. Bhu Srinivasan shows how the development of the country has been closely bound up with the development of capitalism, from the New England colonies’ earliest days to the most recent innovations of Silicon Valley or Wall Street.

Named by The Economist as one of the best books of 2017

Who should read Americana?

  • American history enthusiasts
  • People interested in the economy past and present
  • Fans – or enemies – of capitalism

37
Fall and Rise

Fall and Rise

Mitchell Zuckoff
The Story of 9/11
4.3 (100 ratings)

What's Fall and Rise about?

Fall and Rise (2019) recounts the morning of September 11, 2001, a date when the world changed forever. Operating under the direction of Osama bin Laden, terrorists seized control of four commercial airliners, crashing them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It tells a story of fear, courage, and strength through the eyes of just a few of the men, women, and children who were there. 

Who should read Fall and Rise?

  • People who want to go past the headlines and learn more about the individuals who lived and died on this tragic day
  • Anyone who wants to know what it was like to be a part of history

38
The Code

The Code

Margaret O’Mara
Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America
4.0 (60 ratings)

What's The Code about?

The Code (2019) examines the remarkable history of Silicon Valley, the lush Californian valley that became synonymous with tech startups and the creation of some of our society’s most disruptive inventions like the internet. With a curious, critical gaze, The Code uncovers the reality behind the myths, and shows that while entrepreneurship and technical genius were important to the valley’s rise, none of its most famous achievements would have been possible without military collaborations and enormous amounts of federal funding.

Who should read The Code?

  • Entrepreneurs curious about the Silicon Valley blueprint for creating successful startups
  • Technophiles wanting to know more about the birthplace of some of our most disruptive technologies
  • Social historians interested in the human stories behind the headlines

39
Stonewall

Stonewall

Martin Duberman
The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America
3.5 (123 ratings)

What's Stonewall about?

Stonewall (1994) is the definitive history of the 1969 uprising that catalyzed the gay rights movement in the United States. By examining the lives of six gay and lesbian people involved in the movement, author Martin Duberman sheds light on the systems of oppression – as well as the incredible dedication and bravery – that led to mainstream society’s greater acceptance of the gay and lesbian community. 

Who should read Stonewall?

  • Activists
  • Those inspired by grassroots movements
  • Anyone interested in how communal action can lead to change

40
Isaac's Storm

Isaac's Storm

Erik Larson
A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History
4.1 (29 ratings)

What's Isaac's Storm about?

Isaac’s Storm (1999) is a gripping account of the hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas on September 8, 1900. Just as Galveston was becoming a world-class city, a storm arrived with little warning and crushed many of the community’s hopes and ambitions.

Who should read Isaac's Storm?

  • Anyone moved by the indomitable power of nature
  • Fans of historical nonfiction
  • Storm chasers

41
Four Hundred Souls

Four Hundred Souls

Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
A COMMUNITY HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICA, 1619–2019
4.4 (67 ratings)

What's Four Hundred Souls about?

Four Hundred Souls (2021) is an innovative and insightful recounting of African American history. This collection brings together ninety different authors to reflect on four-hundred years of struggle, oppression, and hope.

Who should read Four Hundred Souls?

  • Americans curious to explore their country’s layered history
  • Politically engaged thinkers wishing to understand the roots of current issues
  • Anyone who wants more insight into the Black experience

42
Undaunted

Undaunted

John O. Brennan
My Fight Against America's Enemies, At Home and Abroad
3.9 (22 ratings)

What's Undaunted about?

Undaunted (2020) sketches the life of former CIA director John Brennan, from his humble beginnings in a blue-collar New Jersey household to his rise through the ranks of the CIA. Packed with political intrigue and personal anecdotes, it’s a remarkable and surprising look at a man who has dedicated his life to keeping America safe.

Who should read Undaunted?

  • People interested in espionage, intelligence work, and international affairs
  • Americans curious about the CIA’s inner workings
  • Memoir lovers

43
Shakespeare in a Divided America

Shakespeare in a Divided America

James Shapiro
What His Plays Tell Us About Our Past and Future
4.1 (38 ratings)

What's Shakespeare in a Divided America about?

Shakespeare in a Divided America (2020) offers a new perspective on American history. In looking back at eight instances where Shakespeare’s plays have been politicized by those on both sides of the political spectrum, we can see how the playwright's work has remained highly relevant over the years.

Who should read Shakespeare in a Divided America?

  • Fans of the Bard and his many plays
  • People interested in how art can be politicized
  • History buffs and those curious about America’s political past

44
Modern Warriors

Modern Warriors

Pete Hegseth
Real Stories from Real Heroes
4.3 (23 ratings)

What's Modern Warriors about?

Modern Warriors (2020) is a collection of gut-wrenching yet heartfelt stories about US war veterans’ years in service. These tales expose the harsh realities of combat, as well as the cherished moments of love and companionship that saw these soldiers through the hardest times.

Who should read Modern Warriors?

  • People in, or soon to be in, the armed forces
  • Anyone seeking a glimpse into the lives of modern-day soldiers
  • People interested in modern wars fought by US soldiers

45
Speaking for Myself

Speaking for Myself

Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House
3.4 (60 ratings)

What's Speaking for Myself about?

Speaking for Myself (2020) is an insider’s account of Donald Trump’s first two years in office by the woman whose job it was to present the president’s thinking to the world – press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Alongside fascinating snapshots of Trump’s decision-making process, values, and sense of humor, Sanders offers readers a glimpse of the inner workings of the White House and the role of the press in American political life.

Who should read Speaking for Myself?

  • Trump haters interested in the other side of the story
  • Journalists, reporters, and broadcasters
  • History and politics buffs

46
The Economists’ Hour

The Economists’ Hour

Binyamin Appelbaum
False Prophets, Free Markets, and the Fracture of Society
4.3 (65 ratings)

What's The Economists’ Hour about?

The Economists’ Hour (2019) is a compact history of how economists came to dominate our political discourse. This work traces the rise of neoliberal ideology from the 1960s to today.

Who should read The Economists’ Hour?

  • Political wonks wanting to parse the current climate
  • Citizens concerned about America’s rightward shift
  • Anyone asking, “how did things get so bad?”

47
What Unites Us

What Unites Us

Dan Rather with Elliot Kirschner
Reflections on Patriotism
4.2 (36 ratings)

What's What Unites Us about?

What Unites Us (2017) is an ode to American traditions, ideals, and solidarity. Drawing on Dan Rather’s long career as a political reporter, it appeals to all that is good and enduring in US culture and politics.

Who should read What Unites Us?

  • Americans no longer sure what their country stands for
  • International observers interested in what makes Americans tick
  • US citizens concerned by rampant polarization

48
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man

Emmanuel Acho
4.3 (52 ratings)

What's Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man about?

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man (2020) is an introduction to race and race-related issues in America. Talking about these issues can be uncomfortable, but by being unafraid of dialogue, we can learn that the difficulties Black people in America face today are best understood through US history.

Who should read Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man?

  • White people looking to understand the conversation around racism
  • Concerned citizens who want to make a difference
  • American history enthusiasts

49
How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps

How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps

Ben Shapiro
3.8 (163 ratings)

What's How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps about?

How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps (2020) is an account of the political forces threatening to tear America in two. Drawing on history, philosophy, and politics past and present, this book emphatically argues that Americans should remember exactly what it is that unites them.

Who should read How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?

  • Political junkies trying to understand the polarization of US politics
  • Conservatives discouraged by the drift of American society
  • US citizens interested in trying to bridge the political divide

50
Minor Feelings

Minor Feelings

Cathy Park Hong
A Reckoning on Race and the Asian Condition
3.7 (50 ratings)

What's Minor Feelings about?

Minor Feelings (2020) is poet Cathy Park Hong’s searing account of life as an Asian American. Drawing on her own experiences alongside penetrating insights, it paints a picture of the purgatorial status that Asian Americans still face.

Who should read Minor Feelings?

  • Those looking to explore what it means to be Asian in the United States today
  • Memoir lovers
  • People who want to expand their understanding of racial issues

51
First Principles

First Principles

Thomas E. Ricks
What America's Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country
4.3 (239 ratings)

What's First Principles about?

Over the years, much has been made of the influence of Enlightenment ideas –⁠ particularly those of English philosopher John Locke –⁠ on America’s founding fathers. First Principles (2020) takes a different approach. It focuses instead on the ways in which Greek and Roman history and philosophy profoundly shaped the values and goals of America’s first four presidents, and how classical ideas are embedded in the nation to this day.

Who should read First Principles?

  • Anyone interested in American history, or political philosophy
  • Students of Greek and Roman classics

52
The Power of Giving Away Power

The Power of Giving Away Power

Matthew Barzun
How the Best Leaders Learn to Let Go
4.3 (239 ratings)

What's The Power of Giving Away Power about?

The Power of Giving Away Power (2021) explains how leaders, organizations, and businesses can harness power by giving it away. By replacing traditional ideas of hierarchy with a mindset centered around constellations, we can create flexible networks that allow us to get big things done, better. 

Who should read The Power of Giving Away Power?

  • Leaders and future leaders tired of gridlocked organizational structures
  • Activists and organizers looking to amplify their efforts
  • Anyone who’s ever questioned our hierarchical idea of power

53
The Dying Citizen

The Dying Citizen

Victor Davis Hanson
How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America
2.7 (657 ratings)

What's The Dying Citizen about?

The Dying Citizen (2021) explores the ways in which modern American democracy is being weakened. Touching on issues like globalization and identity politics, it discusses how left-wing progressives are damaging the foundations of the United States. 

Who should read The Dying Citizen?

  • Conservatives looking for fresh insights
  • Fans of Donald Trump 
  • Anyone interested in politics and current affairs

54
Zero Fail

Zero Fail

Carol Leonnig
The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service
4.1 (39 ratings)

What's Zero Fail about?

Zero Fail (2021) is a no-nonsense account of the ineptitude and recklessness that have plagued the US Secret Service in recent decades. From Kennedy to Trump, the Service has continually covered up for, and even promoted, agents who made impulsive, ill-considered and simply bad decisions. 

Who should read Zero Fail?

  • Popcorn-munching gossip-lovers
  • American history buffs
  • News junkies

55
How the Word Is Passed

How the Word Is Passed

Clint Smith
A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America
4.5 (154 ratings)

What's How the Word Is Passed about?

How the Word Is Passed (2021) is a travelogue that underscores how slavery has shaped America’s collective history and its reality today. Nine locations serve as gateways to important stories that are hidden in plain sight. They exemplify how communities have reckoned, or not, with their roles in the history of slavery and invite us all to dig deeper into what we believe – and why.

Who should read How the Word Is Passed?

  • Anyone who wants to better understand America’s relationship with slavery
  • Community members seeking historical context on Black Lives Matter
  • Activists and history buffs interested in how the past informs the present

56
Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon

John A. Farrell
The Life
4.3 (111 ratings)

What's Richard Nixon about?

Richard Nixon: The Life (2017) is a thorough biography of one of the most controversial American presidents. Tracing Nixon’s life from his humble upbringing through his meteoric political ascent to his crashing downfall in the Watergate scandal, it reveals a complex, troubled, and sentimental man.

Who should read Richard Nixon?

  • US-politics aficionados
  • Biography enthusiasts who love a scandal
  • People looking to deepen their knowledge of American history

57
Killing the Mob

Killing the Mob

Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
The Fight Against Organized Crime in America
4.5 (318 ratings)

What's Killing the Mob about?

Killing the Mob (2021) explores America’s uneasy relationship with organized crime. It exposes the shocking influence of the Mafia on twentieth-century history and culture and reveals the outrageous exploits of America’s most notorious gangsters.

Who should read Killing the Mob?

  • True crime lovers
  • gangster movie aficionados
  • History buffs looking for a different angle

58
The Reckoning

The Reckoning

Mary L. Trump
Our Nation's Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal
3.2 (210 ratings)

What's The Reckoning about?

The Reckoning (2021) is an unflinching look at contemporary American society. This sharp treatise draws informative connections between the nation’s traumas and its current issues.

Who should read The Reckoning?

  • Voters struggling to understand the contemporary political landscape
  • Citizens concerned about the future of their country
  • Anyone interested in a critical analysis of American society

59
Abortion and the Law in America

Abortion and the Law in America

Mary Ziegler
Roe v. Wade to the Present
4.4 (128 ratings)

What's Abortion and the Law in America about?

Abortion and the Law in America (2020) offers a comprehensive legal history of abortion rights in the US. It highlights the social and cultural shifts that have contributed to the abortion debate and looks closely at the types of arguments invoked by both sides.

Who should read Abortion and the Law in America?

  • People who want to learn more about the complexity of the American abortion debate
  • Those interested in the relationship between cultural values and law
  • Anyone following US politics

60
The 1619 Project

The 1619 Project

Nikole Hannah-Jones
A New Origin Story
4.2 (516 ratings)

What's The 1619 Project about?

The 1619 Project (2021) is an anthology of essays investigating the origins of the slave trade in America, and how it has shaped what the country would become. It’s also an exploration of how we create history, and how these stories shape our political present. The essays are accompanied by fictional excerpts and poetry, bringing to life the experiences of enslaved people in America.

Who should read The 1619 Project?

  • History-lovers interested in learning more about cutting-edge research from the 1619 Project. 
  • Americans wanting to learn about how the slave trade has shaped their country.
  • Anyone wanting to understand the roots of institutional racism, and how to fight white supremacy.

61
The American War in Afghanistan

The American War in Afghanistan

Carter Malkasian
A History
3.9 (125 ratings)

What's The American War in Afghanistan about?

The American War in Afghanistan (2021) is an in-depth look at one of the defining conflicts of the twenty-first century. This exhaustively-researched analysis dives into the details of this protracted and complex military occupation.

Who should read The American War in Afghanistan?

  • Engaged citizens keen to keep up with current events
  • Civilians seeking insight into military matters 
  • Anyone eager to understand a complex conflict

62
Reagan

Reagan

H. W. Brands
The Life
4.3 (177 ratings)

What's Reagan about?

Reagan (2015) is the definitive account of the life of a towering figure in American history. Starting with his childhood in Illinois, the narrative follows the course of Ronald Reagan’s life, from his charmed days in Hollywood to his time as governor of California and, finally, from the White House to the world stage of the Cold War.

Who should read Reagan?

  • All those who think they know what Reagan was all about
  • History buffs
  • People looking to understand modern American conservatism

63
1491

1491

Charles C. Mann
New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
4.5 (206 ratings)

What's 1491 about?

1491 (2005) is a study of the Western Hemisphere before 1492, the year in which an Italian sailor employed by the Spanish empire first set foot in the Americas. Within a century of Columbus’s “discovery” of the New World, some of humanity’s most sophisticated cultures had all but disappeared. In 1491, Charles Mann sets out to recover their ways of life and remarkable achievements.

Who should read 1491?

  • History buffs
  • Myth-busters 
  • Americaphiles

64
Founding Brothers

Founding Brothers

Joseph J. Ellis
The Revolutionary Generation
4.6 (220 ratings)

What's Founding Brothers about?

Founding Brothers (2002) complicates and enriches our understanding of the American revolution. The men who founded America lived and worked in uncertain times. The future was far from certain, and even the truths they held to be self-evident often led to strikingly different conclusions. But they clung to one another – as friends, as rivals, and even as enemies. Together, they formed a fraternity of remarkable minds that could collectively solve the problems each of them on their own could not.

Who should read Founding Brothers?

  • History buffs
  • Americanophiles 
  • Anyone who loves stories

65
Forget the Alamo

Forget the Alamo

Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson and Jason Stanford
The Rise and Fall of an American Myth
4.0 (122 ratings)

What's Forget the Alamo about?

Forget the Alamo (2021) charts the history of the Alamo, both real and imagined. It looks at how a popular, heroic mythology sprung from the events of 1836 and came to represent both a noble version of Texas independence and a metaphor for American valor. Find out how the Alamo became a touchstone in American culture wars, and discover how the real story paints a not-so-virtuous picture of American history.

Who should read Forget the Alamo?

  • History buffs
  • People who enjoy Wild West stories 
  • Anyone who thinks they’re familiar with the story of the Alamo

66
Empire of Pain

Empire of Pain

Patrick Radden Keefe
The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
4.6 (55 ratings)

What's Empire of Pain about?

Empire of Pain (2021) follows the rise and fall of the elusive Sacklers, the billionaire family behind Purdue Pharma. Its blockbuster drug, OxyContin, was aggressively marketed as safe, but would go on to spur a devastating opioid crisis that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Yet the Sacklers’ fortress of lawyers, political connections and a philanthropic name would, time and again, protect them from responsibility.

Who should read Empire of Pain?

  • Current affairs enthusiasts
  • Lovers of family dynasty dramas
  • Anyone wanting to understand the opioid crisis

67
The Forgotten 500

The Forgotten 500

Gregory A. Freeman
The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II
4.6 (190 ratings)

What's The Forgotten 500 about?

The Forgotten 500 (2007) tells the story of Allied airmen who were trapped behind enemy lines in World War II and the courageous citizens of Yugoslavia who risked everything to help them get home. For political reasons, the story remained classified for decades until the 1980s. But now, the events leading to the largest rescue operation of the war are available to us all.

Who should read The Forgotten 500?

  • Any and all who are interested in the Balkans or World War II history
  • Serbians and Americans looking to learn more about their nations’ past
  • Everyone who enjoys a riveting story about people overcoming overwhelming odds

68
Dear America

Dear America

Graham Allen
Live Like It's 9/12
3.4 (194 ratings)

What's Dear America about?

Dear America (2021) is a call to action for Americans. It implores them to unite despite differences – and preserve their nation before it’s too late.

Who should read Dear America?

  • Americans of all political stripes
  • Anyone interested in US history
  • People intent on preserving free speech and diversity of thought

69
The Cold War

The Cold War

Robert J. McMahon
A Very Short Introduction
4.6 (212 ratings)

What's The Cold War about?

The Cold War (2003) provides an overview of the conflict that defined the second half of the twentieth century. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, it traces the Cold War’s development through the rest of the century, laying out its underlying causes and overall contours.

Who should read The Cold War?

  • History buffs
  • Students of military strategy and foreign relations 
  • Those who want to understand one of the twentieth century’s defining conflicts

70
And There Was Light

And There Was Light

Jon Meacham
Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle
4.6 (63 ratings)

What's And There Was Light about?

And There Was Light (2022) is a biography of Abraham Lincoln that takes a nuanced look at a complex leader. Focusing especially on Lincoln’s evolving views on and actions around slavery, it’s a picture of a man who wrestled with his moral convictions while attempting to hold together a divided nation. Echoes of that struggle still ring out today, making it essential to keep Lincoln’s story at the forefront of American consciousness.

Who should read And There Was Light?

  • American history enthusiasts
  • People interested in controversial historical figures
  • Budding political pundits looking to add to their historical knowledge

71
G-Man

G-Man

Beverly Gage
J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century
4.5 (37 ratings)

What's G-Man about?

G-Man (2022) is a thorough and comprehensive biography of J. Edgar Hoover and the history of the FBI. Drawing from established history as well as newly uncovered documents, it covers the entire timeline of Hoover’s personal life as well as his role in shaping America as we know it.

Who should read G-Man?

  • American history buffs
  • People curious about J. Edgar Hoover
  • Anyone interested in the hidden forces influencing American politics

72
The Revolutionary

The Revolutionary

Stacy Schiff
Samuel Adams
4.6 (213 ratings)

What's The Revolutionary about?

The Revolutionary (2022) offers a nuanced look at one of the most central figures in the lead-up to the American War of Independence. It reveals a man of character and contradiction, whose revolutionary thinking and deep commitment to civil liberties came to define a revolution.

Who should read The Revolutionary?

  • History lovers looking for a deep dive into characters that create change
  • Political thinkers looking for an inside view of revolutionary politics
  • Anyone seeking inspiring examples of ideals put into practice

73
Mayflower

Mayflower

Nathaniel Philbrick
A Story of Courage, Community, and War
4.6 (32 ratings)

What's Mayflower about?

Mayflower (2006) tells the epic story of the 1620 voyage to establish a colony of religious separatists on North American shores, and the astonishing aftermath of their fateful trip. From life-or-death struggle to peaceful coexistence with native peoples to devastating war just a half century later, it tells the unvarnished truth of the people and politics that went on to shape a nation.

Who should read Mayflower?

  • History buffs looking for new insights into a little-known chapter of America’s past
  • Epic saga lovers who crave complex stories of survival, politics, and conflict
  • Anyone curious about the real facts behind all the feel-good myths, and how they went on to shape the future of a nation

74
Fifth Sun

Fifth Sun

Camilla Townsend
A New History of the Aztecs
4.4 (192 ratings)

What's Fifth Sun about?

Fifth Sun (2019) recounts the epic rise and tragic fall of the Aztec Empire. Using powerful, firsthand accounts written by the Aztecs themselves as its source material, this Blink provides a new narrative of the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica. It is the story of a people who resisted colonization and, although defeated militarily, never fully relinquished their indigenous identity.

Who should read Fifth Sun?

  • History buffs
  • North and South Americans looking to learn about the colonization of their continents
  • Anyone looking for an inspiring tale of courageous resistance against brutal oppression

75
The Fourth Turning

The Fourth Turning

William Strauss and Neil Howe
An American Prophecy
4.5 (296 ratings)

What's The Fourth Turning about?

The Fourth Turning (1997) presents a fascinating picture of history, past, present, and future. Though the people of modern Western societies tend to view history as a linear process, the reality might instead be cyclical, repeated regularly and predictably. By studying the ways in which history does indeed repeat itself, we can better prepare ourselves for what is likely to come in the future.

Who should read The Fourth Turning?

  • History buffs
  • Devotees of American politics
  •  Future predictors

76
The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger
4.4 (108 ratings)

What's The Catcher in the Rye about?

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) is J. D. Salinger’s classic coming-of-age novel, telling the story of the troubled young Holden Caulfield. Holden has just been expelled from school, and spends several days traversing New York City, sharing his opinions of the world around him.

Who should read The Catcher in the Rye?

  • Lovers of coming-of-age stories
  • Classic literature fans
  • People who dislike phonies

77
Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck
4.5 (45 ratings)

What's Of Mice and Men about?

Of Mice and Men (1937) is a poignant tale that traces an unlikely friendship between two impoverished workers in California during the Great Depression: compact, quick-witted George Milton, and huge, childlike Lennie Small.

Who should read Of Mice and Men?

  • Lovers of classic literature
  • Those entranced by the American dream
  • People curious about one of Steinbeck’s greats

78
Under the Banner of Heaven

Under the Banner of Heaven

Jon Krakauer
A Story of Violent Faith
3.5 (111 ratings)

What's Under the Banner of Heaven about?

Under the Banner of Heaven (2003) traces the roots of contemporary Mormon fundamentalism through the lens of a horrendous double murder. The devotion of the Lafferty brothers is a gateway into core tenets that include divine revelation, polygamy, blood atonement, and the way Mormons act in their unique role as God’s chosen.

Who should read Under the Banner of Heaven?

  • People curious about Mormon culture
  • Anyone trying to understand American fundamentalism
  • People interested in American history

79
Little Women

Little Women

Louisa M. Alcott
4.8 (30 ratings)

What's Little Women about?

Little Women (1868-1869) tells the story of the four March sisters, and the struggles and day-to-day obstacles they faced while becoming young adults. While the story takes place in the American Northeast, it’s a universal coming-of-age story that has been appreciated around the world.

Who should read Little Women?

  • Fans of stories told from a female perspective
  • Lovers of classic literature
  • Anyone who likes a good young adult story

80
Saving Aziz

Saving Aziz

Chad Robichaux with David L. Thomas
How the Mission to Help One Became a Calling to Rescue Thousands from the Taliban
4.1 (111 ratings)

What's Saving Aziz about?

Saving Aziz (2023) is the story of how one man’s daring rescue of his friend and brother-in-arms turned into a multi-organizational effort that has resulted in rescuing over 17,000 allies from Afghanistan. 

Who should read Saving Aziz?

  • Anyone interested in Afghanistan history
  • Military history buffs
  • People in need of an inspiring story of the goodness in humanity

81
Picasso's War

Picasso's War

Hugh Eakin
How Modern Art Came to America
4.7 (193 ratings)

What's Picasso's War about?

Picasso’s War (2022) reveals the fascinating story behind America’s rocky relationship with modern art. It shows how a small group of individuals were able to overcome ridicule and accusations of “degenerate art” in order to turn the country into a haven for the world’s most progressive artists.

Who should read Picasso's War?

  • History buffs
  • Fans of Pablo Picasso and modern art

82
The Mosquito Bowl

The Mosquito Bowl

Buzz Bissinger
A Game of Life and Death in World War II
4.4 (8 ratings)

What's The Mosquito Bowl about?

The Mosquito Bowl (2022) tells the story of American football stars going to war and playing one more game when they get there. It details a nation divided by bigotry but united by sport and a common enemy.

Who should read The Mosquito Bowl?

  • History buffs
  • World War II aficionados
  • College football fans

83
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings

I Know why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou
4.7 (39 ratings)

What's I Know why the Caged Bird Sings about?

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) is the first part of a critically acclaimed seven-volume autobiography by the American writer and poet Maya Angelou. A vivid account of growing up in America during the Depression, it documents Maya’s life between the ages of three and sixteen. Hailed for its unflinching portrayal of displacement, discrimination, and trauma, it is also a life-affirming study of how hope can prevail amidst death and despair. 

Who should read I Know why the Caged Bird Sings?

  • History buffs fascinated by the United States
  • Fans of true-life stories and larger-than-life memoirs
  • Anyone who loves classic literature

84
Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller
4.3 (22 ratings)

What's Death of a Salesman about?

Death of a Salesman (1949) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s greatest plays. A poignant critique of the promises and pitfalls of capitalism and the American Dream, it follows the salesman Willy Loman, his increasingly tense relationships with his family and colleagues, and his tragic, hallucinatory descent into fantasy and madness. 

Who should read Death of a Salesman?

  • Budding playwrights and theater enthusiasts
  • People curious about the dangers of unbridled capitalism
  • Anyone interested in modern drama

85
LBJ

LBJ

Randall Woods
Architect of American Ambition
4.6 (36 ratings)

What's LBJ about?

LBJ is the story of its namesake –⁠ Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States –⁠ from birth to death. Looking with a sympathetic, though not uncritical, eye on one of the nation’s most maligned and misunderstood leaders, it analyzes the dynamics that shaped him in his youth, the causes he championed, and the presidential decisions that turned him into an icon. By the end, you’ll come away with a much deeper, more nuanced understanding of this controversial, yet titanic, twentieth-century leader. 

Who should read LBJ?

  • American history buffs
  • Social justice activists interested in the history of their cause
  • Anyone with preconceived notions about LBJ.

86
Myth America

Myth America

Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer
Historians Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies about Our Past
2.9 (100 ratings)

What's Myth America about?

Myth America (2022) is a collection of essays that examine and dismantle some of the most pervasive myths about America: how it was founded, who’s allowed to be here, and how we define a ‘real’ American or American family.

Who should read Myth America?

  • History buffs
  • Students of American politics
  • Activists and social justice warriors

87
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain
4.6 (217 ratings)

What's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn about?

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) is often considered a landmark, if controversial, work in the history of American literature. It tells the story of a young teenager who runs away from an abusive, alcoholic father by fleeing in a raft down the Mississippi River. Along the way, he befriends a man running from slavery and becomes a reluctant accomplice to a pair of con artists.

Who should read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?

  • Fans of classic literature
  • People interested in stories about the antebellum South
  • Anyone who likes a good coming-of-age story

88
The Alignment Problem

The Alignment Problem

Brian Christian
Machine Learning and Human Values
3.2 (43 ratings)

What's The Alignment Problem about?

The Alignment Problem (2021) is both a history of the development of AI as well as a prophetic warning about what is to come. From the inherent bias in training data to the extreme speed of progress, Brian Christian details the potential dangers of and solutions to the AI problem.

Who should read The Alignment Problem?

  • Science and tech enthusiasts
  • Those interested in AI
  • Students of history and technology

89
Innovation in Real Places

Innovation in Real Places

Dan Breznitz
Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World
4.2 (11 ratings)

What's Innovation in Real Places about?

Innovation in Real Places (2021) argues that the prevailing Silicon Valley model of growth creation has failed most cities and regions. Rather than chasing the chimera of becoming the next tech hub, communities should focus on identifying their niche in the global production process and fostering innovation based on their existing strengths. 

Who should read Innovation in Real Places?

  • Anyone interested in learning more about innovation and sources
  • People interested in economic development and entrepreneurship
  • Citizens and policy makers wishing to advance policies promoting growth and prosperity in their region

90
American Prometheus

American Prometheus

Kai Bird & Martin J Sherwin
The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
4.0 (36 ratings)

What's American Prometheus about?

American Prometheus (2005) captures Oppenheimer’s life in a way that echoes Prometheus’s audacity in gifting fire. From atomic breakthroughs to ethical entanglements, this is a nuclear narrative of epic proportions.

Who should read American Prometheus?

  • Quantum physics enthusiasts
  • Nuclear nerds with noble notions
  • History buffs seeking backstories

91
King

King

Jonathan Eig
A Life
4.4 (18 ratings)

What's King about?

King (2023) is a compelling biography of Martin Luther King. It tells the story of a man, not a saint, who had a remarkable career. His life was cut short at the age of 39, but in his 13-year career King’s vision of a United States based on equality and justice for all, lives on.

Who should read King?

  • History lovers particularly interested in the history of social justice movements
  • Civil rights activists and advocates inspired by King’s life and strategies
  • Inspiration seekers wanting to learn from a story of struggle, resilience, and monumental impact

What's What Napoleon Could Not Do about?

What Napoleon Could Not Do (2023) explores the contrasting experiences of two Ghanaians, Jacob and Belinda, and their aspirations in the United States. Jacob, an awkward computer programmer who still lives with his father, wants to join his wife in America but is foiled by visa denials. His sister, Belinda, meanwhile, has studied in the US and married an American – Wilder, a prosperous Black Texan businessman. But she, too, contends with disappointment: as she waits for her green card, her perception of America is soured by racism. Their journeys reflect the allure and letdowns of life in a foreign land, and the narrative insightfully captures how each grapples with dreams both realized and thwarted.

Who should read What Napoleon Could Not Do?

  • Readers interested in immigrant experiences
  • Fans of emotional family dramas
  • Anyone who loves character-driven stories

93
All the Sinners Bleed

All the Sinners Bleed

S. A. Cosby
A Novel
5.0 (1 ratings)

What's All the Sinners Bleed about?

All the Sinners Bleed (2023) is a work of crime fiction, focused on main character Titus Crown’s efforts to investigate several recent killings in his hometown. To solve the crime, Crown must contend with the town’s racist history, a far-right group, and a long-undiscovered serial killer.

Who should read All the Sinners Bleed?

  • Anyone interested in an action-filled crime novel
  • Readers looking to explore the lingering effects of racism in the American South 
  • Fans of modern-day noir fiction

Related Topics

US History Books
 FAQs 

What's the best US History book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard The Trial of Henry Kissinger as the ultimate read on US History.

What are the Top 10 US History books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens
  • One Summer by Bill Bryson
  • Unfair by Adam Benforado
  • Common Sense by Thomas Paine
  • Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler
  • Two Nations Indivisible by Shannon K. O’Neil
  • Back Channel to Cuba by William M. LeoGrande & Peter Kornbluh
  • America’s Bank by Roger Lowenstein
  • From Silk to Silicon by Jeffrey E. Garten
  • The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright

Who are the top US History book authors?

When it comes to US History, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Christopher Hitchens
  • Bill Bryson
  • Adam Benforado
  • Thomas Paine
  • Reid Mitenbuler