What interesting books on history are good?

Chaun: What interesting books on history are good?
I love to read and I love history. Mostly Ancient history and civilizations. Some history books are so boring though and I quickly lose interest. I want to find books on history that will capture my attention and will be difficult to put down. Are there any books like these? Are there also any history books that follow a story line? For example a fiction book that has a lot of historical facts about the place and times? I need books that will keep me interested.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Timothy Y
The Desire of the Everlasting Hills by Thomas Cahill is great.
It concerns the impact of Jesus Christ on western culture.
Interesting even if you aren’t religious.

As far a Historical fiction, try James Michenor, or Diana Gabaladon.

Answer by Cindy B
“America B.C. – Ancient Settlers in the New World” by Barry Fell – wonderful book! I loved this one! It’s full of interesting information, but written so that anyone can understand it!
“Discovery of the Past” by Rhoda A. Hendricks – wonderful! About ancient settlements but easy to read and understand.
“1776” by David McCullough is excellent and has a story line.
“Mayflower” by Nathaniel Philbrick – story line here, too.
Have fun!

Answer by cbklover
There are many books set during differing eras and countries.
I used to read Mary Renault, Taylor Cauldwell, and others about the ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations. Both have many novels set during those times. I think you will find many others with some looking. There are quite a few there for young adults. I remember reading a lot of historical fiction in junior high and high school. It help a lot with my understanding of history.

Answer by Captain Chaos
If you love history, above and beyond read Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, it is easy reading and will leave you thinking about the world in ways you never thought before. The basic premise is that the author was asked, Why was it that Europe invaded the rest of the world. While at first the answer seemed obvious, because they had the guns and ships to do so, the questioner rephrased, why did they have the technology to conquer the rest of the world, why didn’t the Aztecs or the Zulus develop such things? The answer takes a book’s length to explain, and it begins with the earliest days of what we would call man, an excellent read.

Answer by faithcircus14
Two books that I just finished were “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara and “The Linguist and the Emperor” by Daniel Meyerson. “The Killer Angels” is a historical fiction novel about the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. “The Linguist” is about Napoleon and the linguist Champollion’s dealings with the Rosetta Stone. I enjoyed both.

Other historical fiction books include Patrick O’Brian’s books, CS Forester’s “Hornblower” series, Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series, Jane Auel’s “Earth’s Children” Series (really pre-history; also very good), and James Michener (anything by him is good and very factual).

Answer by Carnac
I like historical novels because you get the history in the context of a good story and it holds your interest. The good news is there’s lots of great historical fiction.

James Michener was the king of this genre and his masterpiece was Hawaii. Chesapeake is another great one.

Patrick O’brian wrote a great series of historical novels about a British naval commander in the late 1700s & early 1800s when they were at war with Napoleon. “Master and Commander” is the first in the series. The Russel Crowe movie of the same name was based on this series but sadly it wasn’t very good.

Bernard Cornwell did a series of great books about a British soldier named Richard Sharpe in the same wars.

If you’re interested in prehistoric times Jean Auel’s Earth’s Children series are the best caveman stories ever written. The first of that series is called The Clan of the Cavebear.

Answer by Donna06
I read a book about a girl discover her parent’s past and somethins about vampires but I’m no sure if you like it ,I hope you do!’The historian’ by Elizebeth Kostova .