Nonfiction November is off to such a great start! For those who have missed what Nonfiction November is all about, it’s basically just a celebration of nonfiction throughout the book blogosphere. Each week, we’ll have a different prompt and a different host looking at different ideas about reading and loving nonfiction. This week’s host is another one of my favorite bloggers, Julz and JulzReads, hosting a fun prompt:
Week 3: (Nov. 12 to 16) – Be The Expert/Ask the Expert/Become the Expert (Julie @ JulzReads): Three ways to join in this week! You can either share three or more books on a single topic that you have read and can recommend (be the expert), you can put the call out for good nonfiction on a specific topic that you have been dying to read (ask the expert), or you can create your own list of books on a topic that you’d like to read (become the expert).
I love that we’re doing this prompt again for Nonfiction November because it usually results in some interesting, quirky posts. In the past, I think I’ve done a “be the expert” list, since usually I have some odd trend in my reading for the year that make a good list. Other than Obama administration memoirs I don’t feel like I have that this year, so I decided to try one of the other areas of the prompt to get some recommendations from all of you.
When I started hosting a podcast this spring, I quickly realized that one of my nonfiction blind spots is historical nonfiction – the kind of books that you might buy your dad or grandpa as presents, or that might show up on a high school or college history class reading list. I’m much more likely to pick up nonfiction about contemporary issues or memoirs when they show up on reading lists, skimming over most historical nonfiction titles that pop up.
To be honest, most of the time I’m totally ok with this. A lot of “dad nonfiction” covers events that we already know a lot about. I’d rather invest my time in trying to understand people who have, historically, not been given the space to have their stories told – books like Never Caught by Erica Armstrong Dunbar or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. But I also think just accepting this as a blind spot means I’ve missed out on some excellent historical nonfiction that I’d otherwise like.
So, I am looking for your best recommendations of “dad nonfiction” that covers very specific events or periods of time. I don’t want comprehensive biographies (I really can’t do those, and I have tried!) or chunksters that try to cover, say, the entirety of World War II. I want historical nonfiction that relies heavily on a strong narrative to bring people or moments to life in an engaging, page-turning way.
Tell me what you’ve got! And be sure to head over to JulzReads to check out what other bloggers are sharing this week.
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If you haven’t already read it, you might like 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, a fascinating book that presents current archeological/anthropological research/findings about Native Americans throughout North and South America before the arrival of Columbus. It is long (541 pages) but seems almost too short when you think how much there is to cover. Another idea is Wicked River: The Mississippi When It Last Ran Wild by Lee Sandin. The Mississippi River was a dangerous place in the early to mid nineteenth century, and this book covers the scene from the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, revival meetings, river bandits, missionaries, steamboats, and the snags and hazards of the river itself up to shortly after the Civil War for a fascinating slant on American history.
Those are great suggestions, thanks!
I found Rise of the Rocket Girls to be an interesting look at the women who worked in America’s space program, and I’m currently reading Tinderbox, which discusses a 1973 fire at a New Orleans gay club in relation to the start of the gay liberation movement. Both embed the life stories of forgotten figures within compelling historical narratives.
Alice mentioned Tinderbox on an episode of the podcast, it sounded really interesting. Thanks!
“Dad non-fiction”! This is the perfect descriptor, I know EXACTLY what you mean!
One of my favourites is Sons and Soldiers by Bruce Henderson. It’s the story of these young Jewish men who are forced to flee Nazi occupied countries and find themselves, alone, in America when war is declared. They enlist and end up being a part of a specialized unit because of their language skills and education. It’s a seriously incredible story.
That sounds awesome, thank you! I don’t read a lot of WWII nonfiction, but that seems so interesting.
I love this! I am totally looking up Wicked River from Readerlane’s comment because that sounds kind of amazing. I actually stole from my dad years ago Simon Winchester’s Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded. Really fascinating how far the effects of the explosion went.
I love Simon Winchester, good suggestion, thanks!
I’ve really enjoyed Barbara Tuchman’s work, particularly The Proud Tower (Europe immediately pre-WWI) and A Distant Mirror (the 14th century)!
Thanks Gabby – adding Tuchman to my wishlist 🙂
I’ve heard her name before, but not read any of her books. Thanks for the suggestion!
ha ha – I love that term – “Dad nonfiction” lol! For me, what you’re describing are the books I buy for my brother-in-law, who is a history teacher in high school and a total history geek!
So, I have learned a lot about these kinds of books over the years, and I will recommend certain authors rather than specific titles – ANYTHING by these authors will be great – not just interesting but very readable, too.
The best include Doris Kerns Goodwin, who has a brand-new one out on Leadership of 4 historical Presidents. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Team of Rivals, about Lincoln’s strategy of including his rivals in prominent positions.
You will probably also enjoy narrative nonfiction historical books from authors like Erik Larson and David Grann – they write about specific events in a novel-like way that is very compelling.
Enjoy!
Sue
Book By Book
I love Erik Larson and David Grann, that’s exactly the area I’m thinking if. I tried to read Team of Rivals but stalled out midway through. Her new book does sound good though, thanks!
The Radium Girls was a fascinating read, and I just finished The Last Castle, about the Biltmore Estate of the Vanderbilt family.
I loved The Last Castle! It was so interesting.
Ooo, what a great question! The two books that immediately come to mind are both about fire, I hope that’s okay. 😉 Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David von Drehle is about the awful fire in 1911 and ties it to social and political movements at the time. The trial of the Triangle’s owners is the most riveting part of the book! The second is The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy by Stewart O’Nan. The author usually writes fiction and he makes the account gripping and harrowing.
Oooo, those both sound so interesting, the circus one in particular. Thanks!
“Dad nonfiction” is too funny!! I recently read The River of Doubt by Candice Millard, which is about Theodore Roosevelt’s dangerous journey to map a tributary of the Amazon. Roosevelt strikes me as a very dad topic but I ended up liking it so much, way more than I expected. I haven’t yet read this one (I know, what kind of recommendation is that) but King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild was highly recommended to me and seems dadlike but a somewhat unique setting (exploitation of the Congo by Belgium). I read an essay by the author talking about the importance of writing readable history for non-historians that explores stories outside of the “big three” (Founding Fathers, Civil War, WWII) so I’m interested in reading more by him.
A friend has recommended King Leopold’s Ghost to me too, I think I just need to settle in and read it!
I’ve read a couple of Eric Hobsbawm books in the past and found them entertaining and very readable – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/289.Eric_Hobsbawm
Mr Books also highly recommends – The Vaccine Race by Meredith Wadman and The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
Ooo, The Swerve! I’ve had that on my radar since it came out but I keep getting too intimidating to actually great. Thanks for the suggestions!
My very favorite “dad nonfiction” title has to be Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard. It’s about the assassination of President Garfield, which, I know, sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry. However, I gave it a chance and it remains one of my top ten books of all time. It’s an amazing read and Millard really brings Garfield and that time period to life. I highly suggest it.
I think that actually sounds pretty excellent — that one is on my shelves, I just never pick it up!
Slavery by Another Name, by Douglas Blackmon, is an important work of historical fiction, and very readable.
Thanks Jeanne!
Oooh – I’ve read 2 kind of recently!
Red Notice by Bill Browder – finance in post-Communism Russia, reads like a thriller.
Big Game by Mark Leibovich – new book inside the NFL, sarcastic writing style.
Also – some old standbys….Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, On Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett, Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides, Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden…
Also – I have this list…
https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/book-recommendation-lists/books-for-boys-new/
Such good suggestions! I would never pick up Red Notice on my own, but with your recommendation it sounds much more appealing 🙂
Anything by Sarah Vowell is great! I recently read her Lafayette in the Somewhat United States.
Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt.
The History of Hell by Alice K. Turner was absolutely fascinating!
Another suggestion for The Swerve, that’s moving up my list!
Nothing springing to mind but ‘dad nonfiction’ should be a section at the book shop 😀
Ha ha, maybe! I feel like we do get “gifts for dad” tables around the holidays that have a lot of these books on them.
Citizens of London by Lynne Olson is an excellent book about the politics of London (and the allies) during the blitz. Lots of history, various interesting people, and a very readable style.
Ooo, that sounds interesting! I think I need WWII nonfiction that has a really specific story like that, rather than more overarching books.
If you’re interested in Canadian history at all, Pierre Berton wrote several excellent books. Perhaps The Dionne Qunituplets would interest you?
That does sound interesting, thanks!
Heheh That’s funny. If I was standing in a bookstore, I would be able to point out exactly the titles you mean. The only one I can think of that might fit the bill which is on my shelves, but I haven’t read it yet, is Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 by Wallace and Burrows (which is MASSIVE). I second the rec of Charles Mann above too!
Seeing how massive that book is makes me think it’s probably not a good initial pick, but the Charles Mann book has come up a couple of times when I’ve been looking around.
Unfortunately I don’t read historical nonfiction (or fiction) so I can’t give any recommendations. But good for you for wanting to branch out and try something different. Oh and there are no dad-books for me because my dad doesn’t read 🙁
My dad doesn’t read much either. He just recently started asking me for recommendations, which I am trying to hold back my glee about! So far it’s been mostly fiction, but I’m hoping to turn him on to nonfiction soon 🙂
Enthusiastic reader of “dad nonfiction” here! I’m so excited about your question.
As a journalist, I imagine you’ve already read All the President’s Men by Woodward and Bernstein. But even upon re-reading, it amazes me with the immediacy of the narrative voice.
The Death of a President by William Manchester — about Kennedy’s assassination — also captivated me. He wrote it feverishly fast after JFK’s death, and thank goodness he was a gifted writer — because the freshness of the event is very present in this book, but the writing is also stunning.
And David McCullough’s 1776 gives a fascinating look at George Washington during a period when victory was far from certain.
Best wishes on your dad reading venture!
Those are great suggestions! I have read All the President’s Men, just last year I think, but the others are new to me. My grandpa read a lot of David McCullough, but I haven’t picked him up.
Argo by Antonio Mendez is the story behind the Iran Hostages in 1979 and how they got out. It was very interesting and there is a movie as well (haven’t seen it yet)
Most Dangerous by Steve Sheinkin is subtitled Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War. I think Sheinkin has other NF history books?
All of these were good, specific history stories, very readable:
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, An American Eclipse by David Baron, The Massey Murder by Charlotte Gray
Thanks for the suggestions! I had American Eclipse out from the library earlier this year and didn’t get around to reading it. I’ll have to remedy that!
I have to admit that I feel about the term “dad nonfiction” the way I feel about “women’s fiction” – it’s an informative and helpful term and I know what you mean, but it also feels pretty sexist. As a reader of this sort of nonfiction, I kind of hate that it’s always recommended as a gift for dads. That said, I do know what you mean and have some recommendations 🙂
In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides made my top ten list the year it came out. In the Enemy’s House by Howard Blum was also really engaging, as was The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. These best fit my idea of “dad nonfiction”, in that they are mostly about white men fighting wars or natural disasters, but books that fit your more general brief of historical nonfiction on a very specific topic that I’d recommend include: The Black Count, The Woman Who Smashed Codes, Radium Girls, Forty Autumns, and Death in the Air.
That’s fair, I think both terms can be a problem when they’re used to dismiss or diminish a certain kind of reader or book. That certainly wasn’t my intent, but thanks for pointing it out.
Those are all such great suggestions. I think the Kingdom of Ice is top of the list, I’ve heard such great stuff by that one.
I was waiting until my reads like fiction post went up to comment. So here you go… https://julzreads.com/2018/11/19/nonfiction-november-reads-like-fiction/
So many good suggestions, thanks Julie!