Any recommendations for true history books?

[Pjdriver]

Hi everyone,

I'm always looking for good non-fiction history books....especially with some connection to religious/spiritual themes. For example I recently finished a book entitled, " The man who gave God an English voice." About William Tyndall's struggle to translate the scriptures into English as well as how his views differed from the church which ultimately lead to his execution.

Had any read anything about church history in the first 3 centuries that seems credible?

But I'm also interested in other types of true history stories. Anything that is well written and keeps your attention as you learn about different places, cultures, and times etc..

Any recommendation would be appreciated. Thanks

[shali]

Wait for Carlos to come online - I bet this is right up his alley!

[Qapla]

I can't speak as to nonfiction but I will say that Ken Follett writes accurate historical fiction as does Elizabeth Peters

Edited August 18, 2014 by Qapla

[Julsey]

David McCullough is good for biography.  He seems very, very thorough. 

 

Also, I recall Barbara Tuchman to be very good for history (e.g., 'A Distant Mirror' and 'The March of Folly').

 

The best way to study history is to try to read as much from primary sources (books, letters, diaries, etc.) as possible.  That will allow you to form your own conclusions, rather than relying on the 'middle man.' 

[Pjdriver]

David McCullough is good for biography. He seems very, very thorough.

Also, I recall Barbara Tuchman to be very good for history (e.g., 'A Distant Mirror' and 'The March of Folly').

The best way to study history is to try to read as much from primary sources (books, letters, diaries, etc.) as possible. That will allow you to form your own conclusions, rather than relying on the 'middle man.'

Sister Jules, Thank you for that recommendation. I certainly love to learn about historical events. I don't necessarily want to "study" history, but I prefer to learn about it while also being entertained. I do appreciate primary sources will allow me to form my own conclusions. I think that's a really good point.

However for me it's more of a hobby than a vocation.

For me, the problem with many of the primary source is that they are a struggle to read, especially if they were written long ago. I guess I don't want to work that hard.

Edited August 18, 2014 by pjdriver

[Julsey]

Sister Jules, Thank you for that recommendation. I certainly love to learn about historical events. I don't necessarily want to "study" history, but I prefer to learn about it while also being entertained. I do appreciate primary sources will allow me to form my own conclusions. I think that's a really good point.

However for me it's more of a hobby than a vocation.

For me, the problem with many of the primary source is that they are a struggle to read, especially if they were written long ago. I guess I don't want to work that hard.

Brother, I can understand how you feel.  I am in the midst of reading a lot of late 18th/early 19th century correspondence, and I really have to focus!  ;)

[Qapla]

I am not into reading that much history. I sometimes work with a man who is a bit of a history buff, but his interests are along the line of Southern US history and Scottish history - he is of Scottish decent.

 

As far as fictional history, Elizabeth Peters wrote a series of books that center around Egypt in the late 1800' and into WWI, and a bit beyond .... and, since her main characters are archeologists, these works also cover history of ancient Egypt. The author herself has a PhD in Egyptology and takes great pride in the accuracy of her portrayal of Egyptian History, ancient and turn of the century.

[Pjdriver]

I enjoy US history, British history, other European history. I've read a lot of adventures of exploration type history. Stories of survival like "Unbroken". WWI AND WWII history, US civil war. Histories of renaissance characters. Ancient histories of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar etc...many other genres.

[Pjdriver]

I can't speak as to nonfiction but I will say that Ken Follett writes accurate historical fiction as does Elizabeth Peters

Thanks John, I actually just started Ken Follett's "Fall of Giants" .

Historically based fiction can be enjoyable as well. I read "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane. Easy Five stars from me. Living in the Boston area I found it especially interesting.

Edited August 18, 2014 by pjdriver

[Qapla]

That is one I have not read.

 

Hornet Flight is a good one from Follett.

 

Ken’s view

I came across an extraordinary story about two Danes who wanted to escape from German-occupied Denmark in 1941. They wanted to get to England, but of course would have to cross the Channel. They decided to do this in a delapidated Hornet Moth – a small fabric-and-wood biplane. So they fixed it up, stole parts and petrol for it, and eventually took off and flew across the Channel, which was a very hazardous journey in such a small plane… Needless to say, several RAF fighters were scrambled to investigate, but the young men hung a white towel out of the window, and managed to land safely in a field.

Hornet Flight is loosely based on this tremendous “Boy’s Own”-type adventure, but the characters are different: it’s a young man and a young woman. They have a reason for wanting to get to England – they have information about a German radar system that will be vital to the Allies, who were losing bombers at an alarming rate. So I’ve really combined two real elements from history to create a novel.

[DLM]

Have you read James Michener's historical fiction. I have read a bunch of them like Hawaii, Alaska, Centennial, etc. or Silver Like Dust, 12 Years a Slave, Escape from Camp 14, The Mousetrap, The Worst Hard Time, Undaunted Courage, and on and on. This is just SOME of the books I've read--and liked. I do NOT read fiction books that are just made up stories because some of the things that happen in real life cannot be compared to what people think up. IMHO.  

[DLM]

Have you read James Michener's historical fiction. I have read a bunch of them like Hawaii, Alaska, Centennial, etc. or Silver Like Dust, 12 Years a Slave, Escape from Camp 14, The Mousetrap, The Worst Hard Time, Undaunted Courage, and on and on. This is just SOME of the books I've read--and liked. I do NOT read fiction books that are just made up stories because some of the things that happen in real life cannot be compared to what people think up. IMHO.  

[Pjdriver]

That is one I have not read.

 

Hornet Flight is a good one from Follett.

Thanks John. I'll check that out. That right up my alley.

Have you read James Michener's historical fiction. I have read a bunch of them like Hawaii, Alaska, Centennial, etc. or Silver Like Dust, 12 Years a Slave, Escape from Camp 14, The Mousetrap, The Worst Hard Time, Undaunted Courage, and on and on. This is just SOME of the books I've read--and liked. I do NOT read fiction books that are just made up stories because some of the things that happen in real life cannot be compared to what people think up. IMHO.

Sister Dorothy I've read 12 yrs a slave. And undaunted courage. Enjoyed both.

Dorothy you would like " the lost German slave girl" by John Bailey. Very well documented. Highly recommended.

It is a very Interesting true story.

[JayMusicGirl]

Does Anne Frank's Diary count here? I guess you've probably already read it but it's still a great book that might fit with your criteria.

[Pjdriver]

Does Anne Frank's Diary count here? I guess you've probably already read it but it's still a great book that might fit with your criteria.

Yes it does thank you. I did read it years ago. Even got visit the home she hid out in, amazing young girl.

[niall]

I'd recommend ...

Facing the Lion http://www.amazon.com/Facing-The-Lion-Memoirs-Europe/dp/0967936659

This is the story of a young girl who was removed from her parents because they were Jehovah's Witnesses and would not support Hitler. If you search the web I'm sure you can find it cheaper that it is on Amazon.

Unbroken Will http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Will-Extraordinary-Courage-Ordinary/dp/0967936640.

This is the story of Leopold Engleitner who, at the time, was the oldest living survivor of Nazi Concentration camps — and who just happens to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He as been mentioned in some of our publications. Sadly, Leopold passed away a little while ago.

The book can be a bit tiring to read due to the amount of details he includes in the story, but it's definitely worth taking the time to read. All the details, including copies of letters and forms etc. just make it more interesting. I'd rate this as the best book I've read in the last few years. I bought the video and a second book just so I could lend them to others in my congregation.

Don't buy it from Amazon though as it's too expensive. I've included the link to Amazon so you can read about it. Buy it directly from the author http://ungebrochenerwille.at/english/. He also sells videos. I have bought from him a couple of times and he is very good.

Edited August 21, 2014 by niall

[niall]

I have also read A New History of Early Christianity (http://www.amazon.com/New-History-Early-Christianity/dp/0300170831/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408584342&sr=1-2&keywords=a+new+history+of+christianity). Ignore the part on Jesus and the Apostles as he seems to base his research/assumptions on Christendom's portrayal of the time.

The most valuable part, for me, is the section on the formation of the Trinity. It clearly shows that this was formulated in order to appease those who had greater political power and influence.

[Pjdriver]

Thank you brother Niall. I'll add these to my list.

[Michelle.585]

Hi everyone,

I'm always looking for good non-fiction history books....especially with some connection to religious/spiritual themes. For example I recently finished a book entitled, " The man who gave God an English voice." About William Tyndall's struggle to translate the scriptures into English as well as how his views differed from the church which ultimately lead to his execution.

Had any read anything about church history in the first 3 centuries that seems credible?

But I'm also interested in other types of true history stories. Anything that is well written and keeps your attention as you learn about different places, cultures, and times etc..

Any recommendation would be appreciated. Thanks

Hello!! In highschool we read the book for negros, it was an amzing book!!!! At first I didnt want to read it but after I read the first chapter I love it! Google the book description but I highly recommend it, it tells the point of view, in alot of detail ofhow slaves lived and it just explains the whole life of this poor girl!

[Pjdriver]

Hi Michelle, I think I may have read that book, years ago. Very interesting but sad. Thank you for reminding me.

It looks like you live way out in the sticks.

[PottersClay]

There is an author, Simon Sebag Montifiore. He wrote a historical fiction I read once and it was brilliant. However when I researched him it turned out he was actually more of a non fiction writer and is in fact a historian. He has a few books about Stalin but what caught my attention was a book he wrote called Jerusalem: The Biography

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem:_The_Biography

I haven't read it but supposedly it doesn't take any particular side with any religion but rather tracks chronologically the history of the city.

[Michelle.585]

Hi Michelle, I think I may have read that book, years ago. Very interesting but sad. Thank you for reminding me.

It looks like you live way out in the sticks.

Haha, yes, good ol' small town Saskatchewan.

[Old]

A very informational book about the Shoshone Tribe's conflicts with the influx of settlers into the North West is "Thunder Over the Ochoco" by Gale Ontco. Gale was not a historian, but worked the Forest Service out of Prineville, Oregon He walked the trails and got his stories from the Shoshone and and a number of old pioneer newspapers. Easy read, lot's photos and source notes.

He has been criticized by scholars because some of the newspaper accounts give different times and locations for events and that was his source of information. Especially interesting if you are familiar with the Ochoco Mountains, Crooked River country and the John Day country.

 

 

[URIT]

I liked:

Michelangelo from Irvine Stone

(The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo)

[Miss Bea]

Tough Trip Through Paradise. Andrew Garcia. It was written from accounts found in an old dynamite box. When I read that Humboldt County had Banana Slugs and grey days of summer, I knew this guy was telling the truth. It's in the 1860's, if I remember right. About the time things really changed on this continent.