You must have been searching online for what are popular historical non-fiction books? Well, there are lots of books worth adding to your reading list; from classics like The Book Thief to All the Light We Cannot See. However, the genre is diverse, and it is difficult to find one with full authenticity.
Historical non-fiction is the favorite genre for many, and for all the good reasons. Although there’s something really magical about historical books, i.e., they instantly transport you to another time and place. Whether you’re reading gripping top rated historical non-fiction novels based on WWII or you have picked a sweeping historical romance, you’re all in.
Over the years, we’ve read a lot of books related to history and non-fiction, and while all have been great, not every book has touched our hearts. However, if you’re looking for your next read, go through our curated list of the best historical non-fiction novels of all time (according to us) to get on the journey to the past.
Great Historical Books To Read
Here’s the answer to your question: what are popular historical non-fiction books? All books in this list are thoroughly read and thoughtfully curated according to the reading standards.
A.W.O.L by John Hatch
John Hatch is a Navy Veteran and has come up with his war memoir A.W.O.L, i.e., Absent Without Leave. The author has written this book to share his life experience and his days in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. The historical book by Author John Hatch not only has a thought-provoking narrative but also has an interesting timeline of the author’s life.
John in A.W.O.L book has revealed how he found hope in adversity, how horrible the war is, and how adverse the effects of the battlefield are. The book is all about his conscious awakening that lets him reevaluate his moral choices. A.W.O.L is a historical non-fiction book that has all the memories of John Hatch from his Navy service days.
The story:
A.W.O.L stands for Absent Without Leave, which actually represents the turning point in John’s life. The author tries to walk you through his life when he was a young sailor. He joined the US Navy during the war with Vietnam due to pressure from his family and society’s expectations. Little that he know that his life would be full of challenges ahead.
To join the US Navy, he compromised his loyalty to his girlfriend and left her behind, pregnant. But soon he realized the horrors of war, and he began to question his role in it. That’s when he decided to go on A.W.O.L , i.e., Absent Without Leave and spent the rest of his life roaming around different cities, from Long Beach to Hollywood.
Why You Should Read A.W.O.L?
- It gives readers a glimpse at the life of a soldier during the Vietnam War.
- John has written his book with honesty. It has relatable storytelling.
- You will know about his love, loss, tough choices and redemption.
- Moreover, you’ll get to know about the personal, emotional, and spiritual toll the war takes.
The Secrets We Kept By Lara Prescott
Lara Prescott’s historical non-fiction novel, The Secrets We Kept, is inspired by one of the most remarkable covert Cold War missions. The novel features the true story of the smuggling of Dr. Zhivago through the CIA’s plan. The author has blended real-world facts with fictional storytelling to make the book more thrilling and thought-provoking. The story is layered, well-thought, intriguing, scandalous, and historical at a time.
The Story:
The Secrets We Kept is told through multiple perspectives to provide readers with an immersive experience. The authors have included everything that may provoke the reader’s interest: spies, secrets, war, & political tension. The story is set against the Cold War to reveal how literature is used as a weapon, how spies use love to get what they want.
Although the story goes beyond the cloak-and-dagger operations during the Cold War, it also offers readers some romantic plotlines that hook them to their couches till the end.
Why You Should Read The Secrets We Kept?
- The author has come up with a book that offers a peek into the Cold War through the lens of spies, love, and literature.
- The book’s story is inspired by real history, yet you will love all the suspense of a spy thriller.
- Although the author combines political tensions, scandals, you’ll certainly get a romantic theme that makes it one of the top historical non-fiction books of all time.
- Lara Prescott’s write-up in this book is crispy, engaging, and indulging.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
How can we forget to add Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale to the historical non-fiction list of books? Published in February 2015, it is the most celebrated historical fiction novels that is set during World War II in France. The story of The Nightingale follows Vianne and Isabelle, the lives of two sisters.
They are stuck in the most traumatic circumstances of war, and they are going through the roller coaster ride of love, survival, and resistance. Kristin Hannah’s writing has all the emotional depth that makes this book the best read. The author walks you through the war’s brutality of war and the human spirit.
The Story:
The Nightingale is the story of Vianne and Isabelle, two sisters bound by family. However, the war sets them on totally opposite paths. One of them quietly fights for survival, the other risks everything for resistance.
Their relationship is complicated, and their sacrifices, love, loss and grief are well-portrayed in the novel along with their personal struggles in extraordinary times.
Why You Should Read The Nightingale?
- The Nightingale is the most beloved historical fiction novel that is set in the context of World War II.
- The story highlights the roles of women in war, which is often overlooked in most books.
- The book is both gripping and heartfelt and has an immense emotional impact.
Conclusion
Here are the recommendations if you were searching what are popular historical fiction books? Although we were really confused while picking the top rated historical fiction novels, the list here has the most favorite war novels. Read them and let us know your opinions.
