There are various mishaps, horrendous tragedies along with sudden alterations in American history. America has faced the wrath of the Civil War, World War One, World War Two, Cold War, and the Vietnam War. American history and literature are extremely rich.
The various incidents and wars have changed the course of America in the present times over the years.
History helps us to understand more about how things are occurring in the present. American history is so vast that no one could ever know it all. It forms an unending source of information and material for books. Some of the major historical US events include the infamous Salem witch trials, women’s exploitation until suffrage, slavery, and wars.
A lot of historians and learned scholars have carried out meticulous research about the historical aspects of America. If you wish to know further, then there are various mediums to gain information. You have the option to browse the internet or read books.
If you pick the latter option, then you have landed in the right place. In this article, we will present you with the 10 best American history books along with a detailed description of each.
Let’s begin!
10 Best American History Books
1. The Witches
Highlights
Author: Stacy Schiff
Last Published: 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Description
The witches is a Pulitzer prize-winning national bestseller. The writer has exceptionally curated the historical events of America in this book. The major focus is on the mysterious Salem witch trials. In 1692, one day a minister’s daughter started screaming and convulsing out of nowhere. This was not a normal incident. After this, a total of 19 men and women were hanged.
The panic spread in no time. Everyone was blaming each other for such a horrific incident. The Salem Witch Trials present the only incident where women were pioneers in American history. This incident shaped the future of America in different and curious ways. It is a psychological thriller and describes this historic event in a fascinating story.
The writer has done thorough research on this topic. The book is an elaborate version of the incident with an interesting in detail explanation of the event. In addition, she also adds various pictures and documentation that highlights the story and makes it interesting for the readers.
If you are interested to understand the whole story and are unfamiliar with the intricate details, then this is the book for you.
To understand more, purchase this book now!
You can buy this book here.
2. American History: A Captivating Guide to the History of the United States of America, American Revolution, Civil War, Chicago, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, and Gulf War
Highlights
Last Published: 2020
Publisher: Captivating History
Description
This book is a detailed description of American history. It describes eight captivating manuscripts that tell about the major incidents of American history.
Take a look:
- The American revolution
- The history of the United States
- History of Chicago
- The Civil War
- The Great Depression
- The roaring 20
- Pearl Harbor
- The Gulf War
- Colonial America
- Taxation without representation
Not just these topics, but the book contains a lot more chapters.
The book also contains the Iraqi-Kuwaiti relations and a prelude to the war circumstances and causes of the gulf conflict and much more. Surely the readers learn a lot about American history with this book.
If you are also interested in understanding the vital American historical events in detail, then purchase this copy now!
You can buy this book here.
3. American History: A Visual Encyclopedia
Highlights
Author: DK, Smithsonian Institution
Last Published: 2019
Publisher: DK Children
Description
This book helps you to uncover the most important events that transformed American history.
The writer covers everything that is important with respect to American history and that’s why it is truly a visual Encyclopedia. This book is written in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. There is an extensive collection of paintings, charts, maps, and photographs that makes it visually appealing.
This book also entails the detailed texts of the declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. It is a great self-help book for both the students and the tutors. The book is surely an irreplaceable homework assistant.
It is your one-stop solution regarding all the problems related to American history. Altogether it’s a comprehensive guide that enlightens you and helps to gain a better understanding.
If you are a curious reader, purchase your copy now.
You can buy this book here.
4. The Hunt for History: On the Trail of the World’s Lost Treasures―from the Letters of Lincoln, Churchill, and Einstein to the Secret Recordings Onboard JFK’s Air Force One
Highlights
Author: Nathan Raab
Last Published: 2020
Publisher: Scribner
Description
Nathan is America’s preeminent documents dealer. He is known as the Sherlock Holmes of historical affairs. The book has some precious discoveries that speak about the authenticity of the work.
Interestingly, it talks about a box with 20 letters written by Alexander Hamilton, a long-lost gold medal of the American president, a written address by President George Washington for the congress, and much more. The writer is a curious hunter for historical artifacts.
The book depicts some incredibly fascinating stories about his professional life, exploring the piece of the first electric cable invented by Edison, and likewise.
Additionally, Raab also discovers the fascinating story regarding Napoleon‘s death or an unpublished letter written by Albert Einstein.
As you read more, you get a lot of interesting historical affairs that are not mentioned in conventional books.
If you are interested in unraveling some of the most unknown and infamous incidents of American history, then this is the right book for you. Purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
5. Through a Native Lens: American Indian Photography
Highlights
Author: Nicole Strathman
Last Published: 2020
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Description
The title of this book is quite intriguing and fascinating at the same time. It tells you about American Indian photography. It does sound interesting and this book explores its meaning. In the 20th century, Edward Curtis was making some images of American Indians. Moreover, in the second half of the 19th century, plenty of American Indians was using cameras in their day-to-day life.
This book is a rich and illustrated volume that entails how people in the US and Canada explored the art of photography. The writer finds the photographs from the period of 1840 to 1940.
The book has two major parts. Part one talks about the native participants whereas part two talks about professional and semiprofessional photographers.
There is plenty of information regarding tribal people, libraries, state archives, and museums. The work varies from casual pictures to formal portraits. The writer covers the pictures of Tribal communities across North America.
Interestingly, the book shows how people considered themselves as pioneers of photography and preserved their images.
The book has some of the most fascinating and incredible pictures. To explore more, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
6. The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
Highlights
Author: David McCullough
Last Published: 1983
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Description
Who doesn’t know about the Brooklyn Bridge? Well, this is one of the most enthralling and dramatic stories based on the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge is known as the world’s longest suspension bridge. It was built when America was gripped with corruption and greed. But at the same time was full of optimism and heroism.
The author entails the story of the monumental historic period. In around 1870, the project was initiated. The objective was to build a bridge between Manhattan and Brooklyn. A lot of determination and vision was required to achieve this milestone. It took a good 14 years to conclude its construction. It saw a lot of painful incidents such as the downfall of the political empire, life losses, and public resentment.
The book depicts not just the construction phase of the bridge but the narrative of the social atmosphere at that time.
Many individuals tried to exploit the construction, however, it did not happen. One thing is for sure, after completing this account, you will never look at the bridge in the same way!
The additional research by the writer keeps you intrigued by the highly researched content and increases its value. If you wish to unravel more and understand this historical event, then you must buy your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
7. 1776
Highlights
Author: David McCullough
Last Published: 2006
Description
David is America’s most loved and respected historian. The book is a combination of various emotions such as drama, excitement, shock, and much more. In the year of 1776, a lot of major incidents took place. Great Britain led to undertake a war that changed the course of American history. A lot of decisions were dependent on George Washington.
In this masterpiece, the writer intricately tells the story of the Declaration of Independence. Extensive research is carried out by him related to both the British and American archives.
It is powerfully compiled content with remarkable narration. The book talks about the Americans in different ranks, sizes, farmers, boys, soldiers, men, etc. it also talks about the British commander William Howe, who fought with valor in the tough times.
1776 is an incredible milestone in the literature of American history. Moreover, it describes a comprehensive historical frame in entertaining writing.
To explore more, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
8. The Story of American Freedom
Highlights
Author: Eric Foner
Last Published: 1999
Publisher: Picador
Description
The book entails all the incidents from the inception to the end of the 20th century describing American history. The author tells about the nature of nationalism, the concept of slavery, and how it transformed the abolitionist.
It also talks about the labor movement and the early feminist. Eric is a great historian Who has written books on the Civil War and Reconstruction. He is exceptional, so is his style of narration. The book contains excellent summaries of the major incidents that took place and shaped the future of America.
Overall, the book talks about the meaning of freedom with respect to economic, political, and personal liberties. The content is accompanied by various illustrations that show different eras. Moreover, the author has done a remarkable study of geographical areas. It adds to the understanding of the readers.
As a whole, this book is a fine example of a remarkable articulation of historical work with captivating details.
If you want to understand more about the subject, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
9. The Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War
Highlights
Author: Drew Gilpin Faust
Last Published: 2009
Publisher: Vintage
Description
Everyone knows about the horrific American Civil War. Approximately, six lakh soldiers lost their lives during the war. This incident brought a major shift in America’s social, political, and economic history.
In this Republic of suffering, the writer tells how such a massive death scale not only impacted the lives of individuals but the whole nation. It is a groundbreaking history depiction with some shattering incidents. The writer also explains violent incidents along with the basic thought process of people at that time. The depiction of how America handled such a large-scale death toll due to the Civil War is worth appreciating.
No wonder the book is a harrowing experience but full of fascination. After all, it is important to understand the history of your country. Interestingly, the book also explains the behavioral change of people before and after the Civil War.
In a nutshell, this is a wise compilation that demolishes the sentimentalism for the Civil War.
To discover more about this book, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
10. Washington’s Crossing
Highlights
Author: David Hackett Fischer
Last Published: 2006
Publisher: OUP USA
Description
David compiles this book that entails the most vital period of the war with utmost boldness and courage. He carries the reader on a journey with him to experience that time.
A lot of historical incidents have been entailed in the most dramatic way. In 1776 after the declaration of Independence a total of three armies arrived in New York namely:
- The British
- The Continental
- The Hessians
In the first volume, the writer explains all three armies in detail. Each army has a different style of strategizing, understanding, and fighting the rules of war. After the continental army was forced to be out, it was believed that an army from Europe would come. However, when the Continentals retreated into Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the confidence of the army shook.
Overall, it is an excellent account of the ancient time period that covers a lot of interesting aspects.
If you want to explore more, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
Conclusion
Various books are written about American history and the prevailing incidents in detail. Many authors have done meticulous research and analysis to write about some of the most critical events of history.
There are various mediums through which you can understand American history in detail, however, books are a rich source. In this article, we mentioned the 10 best American History books available for you. If you wish to gain knowledge regarding the subject, then take the help of the above-mentioned list.
We hope that this article assists you to make an informed decision and helps you in the best way possible.
Keep learning, keep reading!
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