The 10 Best U.S. History Books
Special Honors
Viator U.S. Heritage Tours Reach out and touch the past on guided trips to historical locations, from the French Quarter in New Orleans and Old Town Key West to Pearl Harbor, Fort Sumter, and the streets of San Francisco. viator.com
Editor's Notes
December 08, 2020:
There's always something new when it comes to the study of history. For this update, we've added two 2020 releases that focus on very different aspects of the American story. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is an Oprah's Book Club selection by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author that explores the unspoken structures of social hierarchy that underpin life in the United States. The Pioneers tells the story of five 18th-century frontiersmen as they venture into the Northwest Territory, its narrative brought to life by first-person sources including diaries and letters.
We've added American Nations, an incredibly insightful look at the 11 different regional cultures that make up the country. It offers fascinating historical explanations for America's current political divisions that go back many centuries before the country even existed. We've also replaced the hardcover version of The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects with the paperback version, which gets better reviews and has a more interesting cover (not to mention it's easier to tote around).
We removed the ambitious American Colonies; many readers felt it was a bit monotonous and too much like a textbook. George Washington's Secret Six is gone because of its specific topic and because its focus on entertainment value often came at the expense of historical accuracy. We've also updated the information for several items, including A People's History, David McCullough's 1776, and the Children’s Encyclopedia of American History.
Finally, we've added a new listing under Special Honors for history lovers who want to get out of the armchair and discover places where the past is alive.
February 28, 2019:
In light of the present political climate, we felt there was a need for a book examining the often-frosty relationship between the United States and Russia. However, that's far from the only reason we included Rocket Men, as it's incredibly engrossing, not to mention a celebration of cooperation and scientific achievement. Still, David McCullough's 1776 was able to hold onto the top spot, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better nonfiction title on any subject.