Guns, Germs, Steel (1997). Excellent material on human societies that come, and go.
Crimean War (2011). Ton of pages (800), but lays out the 'worry' of Russia over western intentions.
Aristoteles's Children (2003). Great book to discuss philosophy, affect on society, and changes in knowledge.
A Few Bloody Noses (2002). Goes into great detail of the period before the Revolutionary War, and ought to be mandated for first-year college students. This said....it's 400-plus pages and will take a bit of time to wrap it up.
Frontier Illinois (1998). At one point, Illinois was the 'frontier' of America, and this book covers this early period of American history.
After the War (2010). Picks up around 50 key characters from the Civil War (both sides) and talks about what happened to them in the years after the war. This is a discussion that usually doesn't occur.
Dare to Conquer (2006). If you have an interest in all the times of history where special operations (military-wise) occurred.....this does a good job in describing it. Long-winded piece, I will admit.
Fabric of America (2007). Curious historical piece which goes into detail how borders were formed within the US. Worth a read.
Fur, Fortune, and Empire (2010). A must-read piece on the fur trade in early 1800s, into Colorado. Enjoyable read, and presents a description of the surroundings.
The Island at the Center of the World (2004). Covers the Dutch arrival in NY City region, and how Manhattan developed. Does a great introduction of Dutch lifestyles in America in the early days.
America's Great Debate. Covers the historical happenings of 1830s/1840s/1840s and how slavery topic was continually discussed in congress.
The Wisconsin Frontier (1998). Covers the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, and is a excellent source for frontier lifestyles in the era.
Peter the Great (1980, Massie). Not for the weak of heart, almost 800 pages. But it lays out his path, accomplishments, and the era of Russia that few ever discuss.
Creating Colorado (1999). Interesting stories over the state from Civil War period to WW II.
1177BC: The Year That Civilization Collapsed (2014). It's a book that you will read 20 pages, and put it down for a week to contemplate how civilizations were created, and dissolved. Lot of material that you didn't cover in high school or university. Not over your head, but does weave a good story.
Love and Hate in Jamestown (2003). Just for the record, folks who did assemble in the very beginning of Jamestown came to view it more as a 'cult' and the exit door swung a good bit on people leaving. Book does a good job in describing the era, and the people in authority.
When Life Nearly Died: Greatest Mass Extinction of All Time (2003). Writer does a good job in describing this extinction period, and is a book that you will probably have to put down at least five or six times....because of pondering.
Stoic Philosophy in a Nutshell (2022). Easily read in a weekend. If you don't know anything about the philosophy......would be a great starting point. Would square away your views of life.
Hitler's First One Hundred Days (2020). Talks about the early 1930s and how consolidation of power took place. Doesn't go over your head.
True Believer (1951). Discusses a good bit of history and how things fall apart. Easily read over a weekend.
Field of Blood (2018). Describes the era of 1820s to 1860 Civil War. Discusses inability to be rational or civil in DC. Lot of material is never covered in college classes.
Blitzed (2018). Drug usage in 1930s/1940s Nazi Germany and it's affect on the war.
Paradise Now: Story of American Utopism (2016). Discusses the attempts to run socialism in America and how each attempt failed.
Drinking in America: Our Secret History (2015). We were as a society from day one....heavy consumers of booze.
Amsterdam: History of World's Most Liberal City (2013). Good introduction how society thrived and made it a successful 'port' and society.
The Black Death (The Plague) (1969). Goes into detail over 1348 how this arrived in London and created total chaos.
Backing Hitler (2001). Goes to the 1930 election and the events to shape it. Lot of material that is never discussed for history classes of the era.
Dark Valley (2000). Describes Europe in the 1920s and the German government is pushing itself to be taken over.
A Newer World (2000). Indepth view of American west, with Kit Carson, and the arrival of the trains.
Close to Shore (2002). Discusses the 1916 period with the first ever known shark attack, and how everyone freaked out.
America: 1908 (2006). Goes into detail about a unique year in America with a lot of changes going on in society.
1898 Birth of the American Century (2009). Great description of how America was evolving and entering the next century.
A Land So Strange (2007). True story, Spaniard shipwrecked, and walked across the US.
Children's Blizzard (2009). Covers the 1888 blizzard. Not a story usually told be historians.
Democracy in America (1835). Tocqueville came and toured the country, and later wrote this. It's one of the few books that I'd mandate for a high school student to read before graduation.
1984. Only fictional book I put on the list.
Forgotten Man (2007) Goes into long discussion of the depression era in America, and how things were never resolved.
A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life (2021) Science-sociology book. Long read but it makes you ask a lot of questions over our past, and how we got to this point.
