Need some history book recommendations

lilac_jive · 08-14-2009, 09:14 PM

I just wrapped up "In the Heart of the Sea" and just before that read "The Johnstown Flood." So I'm kind of on this history tragedy that reads like fiction kick.

Anyone have any good recommendations? Other similar books I've read in the past include "Professor and the Madman," "Krakatoa," "Devil in the White City," etc.

No war books though. Never have wanted to read those (still don't).

wayspooled · 08-15-2009, 02:08 AM

I know a couple of good books about Hurricane Camille, the 1906 SF earthquake and fire and the Tri-State tornado but I don't see them at the Sony store. I just mention those so if you can use another format and want to "search" for that format somewhere else.

Sparrow · 08-15-2009, 03:07 AM

Apsley Cherry-Gerrard's 'The Worst Journey in the World' is a gripping account of Capt. Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

Madam Broshkina has uploaded it here.

doreenjoy · 08-15-2009, 03:18 AM

Probably an obvious one: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Sweetpea · 08-15-2009, 04:05 AM

The ultimate history book: Evolution, by Stephen Baxter.

Description from Fictionwise:

Quote:

From their beginnings foraging at the feet of the dinosaurs, through the apocalypse of an asteroid strike, through countless years of the day to day life and death dramas of survival of the fittest the primate, to the rise and fall of mankind and the final destruction of earth by the expanding sun the primates have survived. This is their story. Evolution follows the ebb and flow of the fortunes of one group of creatures as they change and adapt to their world somewhere on the horn of Africa. It turns the story of Darwinian evolution into a constant drama, a daily life and death struggle, a heroic story of life's endurance. It is a story that transcends generations, species, mankind and, in the end, the Earth itself. In the tradition of Olaf Stapledon and HG Wells.

MickeyC · 08-15-2009, 08:38 AM

You might try the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. They are both hilariously funny and historically accurate. Most are war related but usually they are just leading up to a major battle like the Charge of the Light Brigade

lilac_jive · 08-15-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayspooled

I know a couple of good books about Hurricane Camille, the 1906 SF earthquake and fire and the Tri-State tornado but I don't see them at the Sony store. I just mention those so if you can use another format and want to "search" for that format somewhere else.

Actually, that reminds me. I have an ARC from years ago of "Crack in the Edge of the World" by Simon Winchester. I should grab it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Apsley Cherry-Gerrard's 'The Worst Journey in the World' is a gripping account of Capt. Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

Madam Broshkina has uploaded it here.

Ooh sounds good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

Probably an obvious one: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Read it already. Fantastic book.

rhadin · 08-15-2009, 10:27 AM

Although I am sure you are asking about ebooks, I want to recommend a pbook that I would classify as the most interesting history/biography I have read (I'm still in the midst of reading it

) in years: Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame. This is not for either the faint of heart or the faint of pocketbook -- it's 2 volumes (approx 2000 pages), hardcover, and costs $125 at full price (available for less at a bookstore near you). I am amazed at what there is yet to learn about Lincoln.

(One thing I learned in yesterday's reading is that Lincoln's law office was noted for being filthy. It was a second-floor office but hadn't been cleaned in so long that plants were literally growing from seed on the floor.)

An interesting history ebook is Warriors of God by James Reston, Jr. It is the story of battle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin for control of the Holy Land during the First Crusade.

BenG · 08-15-2009, 12:19 PM

You might like In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. It's the true story that inspired Moby Dick.
Or perhaps you would enjoy The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin. This the story of an event little known outside the Midwest. A freak blizzard in the 1880's left hundreds dead and disillusioned many immigrant's hopes of America as a kind of promised land. By the turn of the century 60% of the pioneers had left the plains.

lilac_jive · 08-15-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

You might like In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. It's the true story that inspired Moby Dick.
Or perhaps The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin.

If you read my original post you'll see that I just finished "In the Heart of the Sea," which I did like

I'll check out the other though.

BenG · 08-15-2009, 12:30 PM

I read so many posts after yours I forgot which ones you had read.

You might also like Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel.
It's not available as an ebook though, at least not for the kindle.

lilac_jive · 08-15-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

I read so many posts after yours I forgot which ones you had read.

You might also like Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel.
It's not available as an ebook though, at least not for the kindle.

I think my mom has that in hardcover, maybe I'll steal it from her

wayspooled · 08-15-2009, 01:19 PM

Oho, not just natural science event history

My mistake heh...

John Adams by David McCullough

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

Justinian's Flea by William Rosen

Race of the Century: The Heroic True Story of the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race by Julie M. Fenster

Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign by Stephan Talty

Best Historical novels - Dorothy Dunnett's Niccolo Rising and Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander (better than the movie and actually the movie was taken from books 5-6 of the series I think). Not an ebook though as far as I know and to my regret.

Elsi · 08-15-2009, 10:10 PM

Not about disasters, but some historical fiction that I've recently enjoyed include Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Anne Rinaldi, The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger, The Birth of Venus, and Daughter of the Sun by Barbara Wood.

MickeyC · 08-16-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

Not about disasters, but some historical fiction that I've recently enjoyed include Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Anne Rinaldi, The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger, The Birth of Venus, and Daughter of the Sun by Barbara Wood.

I can second 'Pillars of the Earth'. Haven't read any of the others Elsi lists but I've read every Ken Follett and especially liked this one

08-14-2009, 09:14 PM	#1
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Need some history book recommendations I just wrapped up "In the Heart of the Sea" and just before that read "The Johnstown Flood." So I'm kind of on this history tragedy that reads like fiction kick. Anyone have any good recommendations? Other similar books I've read in the past include "Professor and the Madman," "Krakatoa," "Devil in the White City," etc. No war books though. Never have wanted to read those (still don't).

08-15-2009, 02:08 AM	#2
wayspooled Crab In The Dark Posts: 486 Karma: 2328180 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	I know a couple of good books about Hurricane Camille, the 1906 SF earthquake and fire and the Tri-State tornado but I don't see them at the Sony store. I just mention those so if you can use another format and want to "search" for that format somewhere else. Last edited by wayspooled; 08-15-2009 at 02:13 AM.

08-15-2009, 12:19 PM	#9
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	You might like In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick. It's the true story that inspired Moby Dick. Or perhaps you would enjoy The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin. This the story of an event little known outside the Midwest. A freak blizzard in the 1880's left hundreds dead and disillusioned many immigrant's hopes of America as a kind of promised land. By the turn of the century 60% of the pioneers had left the plains. Last edited by BenG; 08-15-2009 at 12:27 PM.

08-15-2009, 01:19 PM	#13
wayspooled Crab In The Dark Posts: 486 Karma: 2328180 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	Oho, not just natural science event history My mistake heh... John Adams by David McCullough Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond Justinian's Flea by William Rosen Race of the Century: The Heroic True Story of the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race by Julie M. Fenster Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign by Stephan Talty Best Historical novels - Dorothy Dunnett's Niccolo Rising and Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander (better than the movie and actually the movie was taken from books 5-6 of the series I think). Not an ebook though as far as I know and to my regret. Last edited by wayspooled; 08-15-2009 at 10:51 PM.

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08-15-2009, 03:07 AM	#3
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	Apsley Cherry-Gerrard's 'The Worst Journey in the World' is a gripping account of Capt. Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition. Madam Broshkina has uploaded it here.

08-15-2009, 03:18 AM	#4
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	Probably an obvious one: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

08-15-2009, 08:38 AM	#6
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	You might try the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. They are both hilariously funny and historically accurate. Most are war related but usually they are just leading up to a major battle like the Charge of the Light Brigade

08-15-2009, 10:27 AM	#8
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	Although I am sure you are asking about ebooks, I want to recommend a pbook that I would classify as the most interesting history/biography I have read (I'm still in the midst of reading it ) in years: Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame. This is not for either the faint of heart or the faint of pocketbook -- it's 2 volumes (approx 2000 pages), hardcover, and costs $125 at full price (available for less at a bookstore near you). I am amazed at what there is yet to learn about Lincoln. (One thing I learned in yesterday's reading is that Lincoln's law office was noted for being filthy. It was a second-floor office but hadn't been cleaned in so long that plants were literally growing from seed on the floor.) An interesting history ebook is Warriors of God by James Reston, Jr. It is the story of battle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin for control of the Holy Land during the First Crusade.

08-15-2009, 12:30 PM	#11
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	I read so many posts after yours I forgot which ones you had read. You might also like Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel. It's not available as an ebook though, at least not for the kindle.

08-15-2009, 10:10 PM	#14
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	Not about disasters, but some historical fiction that I've recently enjoyed include *Pillars of the Earth* by Ken Follett, *The Widow of the South* by Robert Hicks, *Labyrinth* by Kate Mosse, *Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons* by Anne Rinaldi, *The Ruby Ring* by Diane Haeger, *The Birth of Venus, and Daughter of the Sun* by Barbara Wood.