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History of the world is based on facts and truth. People love to read history books online. But does the History we know is true and detailed? Well not all the time. History has mostly been written by the victorious, while the vanquished is damned for eternity. Here are some of the Best History Books that will tell you nothing but the truth.
If you are an avid book reader, you can download history books from online bookstore by purchasing them.
Interesting Facts About History Books
- It is said that history is a compilation of facts passed down from one source to another. It is part fact, part fiction, part legend, part lie and a whole lot of exaggeration.
- Only three percent of human history is recorded and found to be true.
- With scientific and physical pieces of evidence mounting, it can be safe to say that some myths and mythology and legends could have been long forgotten. The ancient history of the world like the Adam’s Bridge from Ramayana whose carbon dating has revealed that it is 7000 years old.
- People who have won battles have always scripted History. That does not mean their version of history is right. For example, Marie Antoinette’s last words were “Pardon me, sir, I meant not to do it.” Which until recently was believed to be: “If you do not have bread, eat cake!”
Top Best History Books that tell the Truth
Let us look at the 10 best history books that seem to tell the ultimate truth about our legacy as human beings.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
This book takes a look at the gradual transition of some of the powerful civilizations in history. It argues that the tribes of humans who advanced to farming and food production from being hunters and gatherers, became the most powerful societies. They developed language, writing, government, religion, germs and potent weapons of war to take control of other tribes, still in the hunter-gatherer stages.
This book won the Pulitzer Prize.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer
Adolf Hitler wanted to build an empire as formidable as the Roman Empire and was confident that the Third Reich would last 1000 years. Although the Reich crumbled in 12 years, it was a chance that before the Nazis could destroy their pieces of evidence, the Allied Forces forced them to an unconditional surrender.
The author, a former journalist who had been reporting on the Nazis from 1925, spent five years putting together an anthology. It had minute by minute account of how Hitler managed to terrify the whole world. It reveals how Hitler used Mussolini and Japan in his ambitions, how America got involved, and how were the Nazis defeated after a massive initial success.
The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land by Thomas Asbridge
One of the defining moments in medieval history was the Holy War between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Land Jerusalem. Popularly known as the Crusades, we find the emergence of Knights Templar who later conspiracy theorists claim they are the Illuminati, etc.
This, as one of the best history books chronicles the high point of Crusades from 1095 AD to 1291 AD. It is one of the few books which tells the legend of Richard, the Lionheart, Saladin, Byzantine emperors and the Knight Templar.
A History of Russia: Volume 1 and 2 by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky and Mark D. Steinberg
A very comprehensive volume series on the history of Russia in terms of geography, literature, culture, language, politics, and international relations, military might, economic power.
Volume 1 covers early Russia through the 19th century. Volume 2 covers the time frame from 1855 to the present.
Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West by Tom Holland
In 480 BC, Xerxes, the God-King of Persia invaded Greece to try to annex it. Till then, Greece was an internally divided nation which held of the Persians who had to retreat. This history unravels the whole story.
The Persian Empire is considered to be the first world empire stretched from India to Aegean. Had the Greeks been routed in the battle of Salamis, one can surely say the west as we know it, would not have existed.
The History of The World: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 by Susan Wise Bauer
This authoritative series delves into the epoch of history from Ancient World, Medieval World, and the Renaissance World. This three-volume book takes a look at from the perspective of maps and timelines.
This book series takes a look at -
- Ancient civilizations in Europe, Egypt, Middle East, India and China.
- The end of Sumerian civilization to the Pagan culture and the Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity in 312 BC.
- Harappan and Indus Valley to Yellow and Yangtze River settlements of China.
- The schism between Rome and Constantinople, the rise of T’ang Dynasty in China.
- Birth of Prophet Muhammad and Crowning of Charlemagne.
- The rise of powerful kingdoms and emergence of new thinking.
Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky
Did you know that the word ‘Salary” originates from Salt? In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid in salt because salt was one of the barter currencies of the ancient world.
Salt has been the pioneer of commerce in the society. It has fuelled wars, established empires and trade routes and helped the notion of business to thrive.
Get to know the history behind the mineral that gives taste to food in one of the best history books.
The Twelve Caesars (De Vita Duodecim Caesarum Libri Volume 1 to 12) by Suetonius, Michael Grant (Introduction), Robert Graves (Translation)
Suetonius was the private secretary of Caesar Hadrian who ruled Rome from 117 to 138 CE. In this monumental book, Suetonius chronicles the lives of 12 Roman Emperors from Julius Caesar to Augustus and from Nero to the re-emergence of the Empire.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
The definitive guide to one of the most prolific commanders in history, this book tells the story of the only conqueror to have 12 million square miles of territory under one rule.
The Histories by Herodotus, Aubrey de Sélincourt (Translator), John M. Marincola (Editor, Introduction, Notes)
Often considered a fantasy account, one cannot deny that Herodotus was indeed a master historian. This history book makes us see the world in the fifth century BC.
Are you a history-loving person…?
Do you like history? Do let us know if you have read any of the books mentioned. We would be glad to know your views on these.
Do you read history books online? Have you brought any history book online? Or do you buy it from a bookstore yourself?
