History
We asked our staff, "What is your favorite history book?"
Read below for their answers!
Plus, history book recommendations from Beaufort County readers
Surviving Savannah
by Patti Callahan
Recommended by Amanda Betz,
Library Assistant
"Titanic of the South." The story moves between the past. The book is emotional and beautifully written, with themes of survival, loss, and courage. It explores how people find strength during tragedy and how history shapes our lives today.
The Last Kingdom
by Bernard Cornwell
Recommended by Grace Farish,
Library Assistant
The opening to a series that also has a Netflix series based on it! If you love Vikings, medieval times and war this book and the series that follows is right for you! I got introduced to the series by the amazing Netflix show and as always, the books were way better!
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era
by James M. McPherson
Recommended by Collin Stiglbauer,
Information Services Librarian
The detail and research that went into this book is immaculate. It remains the single best starting point for learning about the Civil War more than 30 years after being written, and after years of reading on the topic it still upended so many misconceptions I had on the subject.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
Recommended by Candy Van Tine,
Branch Manager
This true story about the origins of one of the twelve known bio-medical research cell lines is both riveting and troubling. Running continuously through this fascinating account is the injustice that Henrietta's family endured while Big Pharma made billions from her cells.
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase For Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson
Recommended by Amanda Brewer Dickman,
Library Director
Manhunt by James Swanson is a pulse-pounding true crime thriller that follows the intense 12-day chase for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. With vivid detail and relentless pacing, Swanson gives the reader a front row seat to the manhunt that gripped a nation and changed American history.
A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II
by Elizabeth Wein
Recommended by Libby Voight,
Branch Manager
Elizabeth Wein wrote one of my favorite YA historical fiction books (Code Name Verity) but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed and learned from her nonfiction A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II. It isn't my typical genre but I was blown away by the bravery, strength, and stubbornness of these pioneer women aviators who did not receive the recognition they deserved after the war. There are a lot of WWII books out there but not many from this perspective, so I recommend A Thousand Sisters even if you're not usually a historical reader.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by Shannon Chakraborty
Recommended by Alyssa Krob,
Digital Resources Librarian
Technically, this is a historical fantasy novel but when I tell you this book is amazing - I mean it! The story is beautifully told and has such intricate details from history that you almost believe it's real. If you're going to dive into this title, I suggest the audiobook because the narration is one of my all-time favorites!
Moloka'i
by Alan Brennert
Recommended by Traci Cox,
Marketing and Communications Manager
Moloka’i is an historical, coming of age novel about a young girl who is diagnosed with leprosy and is sent to live on the quarantined island of Moloka’i. Although heartbreaking at times, the story showcases the resiliency of the human spirit and how love and friendship can lift us up, even in the darkest of times. The setting is such a centerpiece of the book, and you can’t help but feel like you are there in Hawaii, too.