What is your favorite book about a historical event or with a historical setting?
HEG12823@aol.com
Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara.
DDingyd311@aol.com
I guess you would have to say books..as the ones I love to read over and over are John Jake's series on "North and South"..blending the characters into the period of the Civil War...showing how hard it was for friends/family to stay connected when they lived in opposite worlds. The Hazzards and the Mains showed that friendship CAN conquer all problems. They stuck it out no matter what...From the first time Ory and George met at West Point....past the wedding of Ory's sister to George's brother....to the combining of the families into a joint company. The series may have been fictional but the historic facts were blended in very well.
pennie0801@aol.com
Gone With the Wind
Janjan33@aol.com
My alltime favorite book of historical material is Follow the River by William Thom. You can't put it down!
Jkrusemom@aol.com
My favorite book is War and Peace. I have read this several times and have never read a historical book I liked better.
Erev591324@aol.com
I really liked the use of Scottish history in Doomed to Repeat It.
SBoyle6827@aol.com
The new book, by Mary Higgins Clark, Mount Vernon Love Story was very good. Told history of romance of George & Martha. Very interesting. More of the personal side of their lives, than the historical side.
theaerie@skybest.com
Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose and John Adams by David McCullough. Both were excellent not only from the standpoint of the history one learns, but also by putting you back in their point in time.
Carrol224@aol.com
I vote for Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love by Dava Sobel.
mrobideaux@cox.net
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
KTBug931@aol.com
My favorite book with a historical setting has to be the classic Gone With the Wind. Though there are no scenes set on the front line of battle, I think it is clear that this would not be the book it is had there never been a Civil War.
MSteins@aol.com
I really have enjoyed the "Outlander" series by Gabaldon. It has everything, good historical background, romance, and adventure.
GATGKT@aol.com
My favorite books about a historical event were the John Jakes bicentennial series: The Bastard, The Rebels, The Seekers, The Furies, The Titans, and The Warriors. Couldn't wait for each new title to hit the stores back then!!
Dkioppolo@aol.com
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
CabanaLin@aol.com
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
Sheila5199@aol.com
Two Nelson DeMille books about Vietnam. One old one --- Word of Honor --- and one new one --- Up Country.
martyph@charter.net
GONE WITH THE WIND, of course, followed by JANE EYRE, CHARLESTON (Ripley), THESE IS MY WORDS, THE CAMULOD CHRONICLES, and THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH. Sorry, I couldn't come up with just one title.
sblatnik@execpc.com
I have 2 books: Killer Angels and No Ordinary Time.
SGreen5909@aol.com
There are many to chose from, but my favorites would have to be the North and South trilogy by John Jakes.
Jsaofusa@aol.com
My favorite book about a historical event or set in a historical setting is Centennial by James Michener.
JJMMcCann@aol.com
My all-time favorite book with a historical setting is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. While it has elements of time travel and romance, it is also a great adventure set around the time of the ill-fated Battle of Culloden. It's a very hard book to classify --- it's not just one genre, it's many!
JmkWild@aol.com
I, Claudius, by Robert Graves.
Bookwo7875@aol.com
Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger.
NFrazelle@aol.com
Gone With The Wind and John Adams.
DKRnj@aol.com
I was completely fascintaed by JOHN ADAMS by David McCullogh. Besides being such an interesting story, it was written from thousands upon thousands of letters between John Adams and his wife. Also their letters to and from other people. It brought that time of our history very much to life for me.
DMogel@cox.net
Green City In The Sun by Barbara Wood. Kenya's independence along with with a story of romance and rich in characterization. 5 stars.
KEMillRoch@aol.com
I think I would choose Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. This little gem explains the writing and research of history as well as exploring one of histories most intriguing puzzles: did Richard III of England really kill his brother's sons? The book is as alive today as when it was published in 1951. It is surely a classic of historical fiction.
DStegmanCrawford@aol.com
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. Maybe fiction, but certainly intriguing....9th century --- WOW. Good book.
BDavis626@aol.com
Black Hawk Down is my pick. The first book to relate what modern combat is really all about.
Dvbjo@aol.com
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
Fsqueek@aol.com
Believe leave or not I have 3 favorites, and they are Dances with Wolves, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. I know I am a little nerdy but what the heck.
LMcgookin@aol.com
Outlander by Gabaldon.
JSeaw93144@aol.com
Mornings on Horseback.
MARYANNMO@aol.com
I haven't been a big fan of these types of books, but I did read The Eight by Katherine Nevell a few years ago and loved it.
PamE523@aol.com
The first book that comes to mind would have to be Gone With the Wind, although Elie Wiesel's Night also offers a historical setting and them as well.
jupe77_2000@yahoo.com
Follow the River by Alexander Thom.
Omwillis@aol.com
Definitely Cicero is a must-read. It is authored by Anthony Everitt. Excellent history, and excellent depiction of people.
cjherbst53@earthlink.net
My favorite is Pope Joan by Donna Cross.
kj4fm@chartertn.net
Gone With The Wind is a beautiful piece of historical fiction. In the nonfiction category it could only be the Holy Bible.
MADORJIM@aol.com
Amistad, the Thunder of Freedom by David Pesci.
NCBengt@aol.com
The Red Tent.
Grandmareadme@aol.com
Of course it is Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I have since found out that it is not all that historically correct by it is my favorite anyway. Second would be The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
Renger@aol.com
John Adams, without doubt. I've been reading biographies and historical novels for 75 years (starting with Mark Twain's Joan of Ark when I was eight). I must admit, I looked at the references and number of pages --- but it read like a novel and I was hard pressed to put it down.
Clhcitrano@aol.com
I simply loved Gore Vidal's Lincoln. It was chalk full of interesting tidbits about that time period and the people who inhabited it, as well as being a good, fun read. Highly recommend this book.
rodgers77@mchsi.com
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
BigAlvis41@aol.com
I am very interested in American History and Historical fiction covering the period starting with the American Revolution and ending roughly with Custer's Last Stand.
My favorite book happens to be a novel but is written with such historical accuracy that it is practically a history textbook as well. The book in question is Jeff Shaara's GONE FOR SOLDIERS. This novel is set during the Mexican War and covers the military career of General Winfield Scott and most of the future generals of Civil War fame as well. Inasmuch as high school and college American History courses usually skim rapidly through this particular period this volume fills in a great deal of facts that make an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the leaders of the American Civil War much easier. I highly recommend any thing by Jeff Shaara or his father Michael's famous KILLER ANGELS, the hallmark of historical novels dealing with the battle of Gettysburg.
rongardner4@comcast.net
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. This book captures the sights, smells, sounds of the Middle Ages, and you learn about the building of a Cathedral as well. If you want to lose the next 2-3 weeks of your life, read this book. It's incredible!
Shell725@aol.com
Definitely Lucia St. Clair Robson's "Ride the Wind," the story of Cynthia Ann Parker and the last days of the Comanche. Ms. Robson introduced so many characters in this book, but she did so in such a way that I had absolutely no trouble keeping track of them all. She also told a very beautiful story in a rich and touching way. It will always be a favorite of mine.
Lernr730@aol.com
Mila 18 by Leon Uris. I also like the Zion Covenant and Zion Chronicles series by the Thoenes.
Faelyly@aol.com
When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon K. Penman.
Butterfly4Shelly@aol.com
The Diary of Anne Frank.
nvrbz@cox.net
The Killer Angels.
billiegirl20@hotmail.com
My favorite historical book has been In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden by Kathleen Cambor. The book opens on Memorial Day 1889 (the day of the Johnstown Flood which devastated the city) and flashes back to the previous year. It's a great read (and takes place in my hometown).
Actually, my reading group is attempting to put together a citywide book read on this novel. We're just in the beginning stages, but are very excited about this project.
gstuart@necc.mass.edu
My favorite is Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett. The entire “Lymond Chronicles” series, of which this is one volume, is great. This is my favorite because of its exoticism.
DCCJ1@aol.com
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth.
ltwilson@southark.cc.ar.us
Historical fiction is my favorite --- so I have many books of this type that I really enjoy over and over.
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. This is probably the first historical fiction that I read at about age 11, so it's at the top of the list. Nothing compares to it, not even the movie (although I love the movie too) I learned more about the Civil War era from the book than I ever did in school.
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I just discovered these books about 2 years ago and now I'm a big fan. She's a wonderful writer who can really put the reader in the story.
The titles are in order:
Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Tells the story of King Author from the women's point of view --- as in his sisters, mother, aunt --- and is full of fascinating details on the pagan religions of that time.
I have many more favorites but these are probably the top three.
DoctorAnn@aol.com
I can still remember the first historical book I read as a young teen that had an impact on me, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, I believe a Caldecott winner. It was a great introduction to historical fiction.
JanetWish@aol.com
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I thought I would never like romance novels but oh, my goodness --- this book was amazing! I liked it so much I went out and bought the entire series and have read each and every one. I think I'll be rereading the books next year --- I just didn't want to stop hearing about Jamie Fraiser!
Pmboyer55@aol.com
Hands down: Charles Frazier's COLD MOUNTAIN.
Judyal7@aol.com
Exodus by Leon Uris
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
The Source by James Michener
tmzemke@comcast.net
One of the best is The Last Jew by Noah Gordon, which is about the Spanish Inquisition.
NoelWillis@aol.com
John Adams by David McCullough. Does anyone know where I can do some reading on Dr. Benjamin Rush of Colonial Philadelphia? He also figures in the early part of Undaunted Courage, as a tutor of Merriweather Lewis.
JHenthorn@aol.com
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
svonpier@monmouth.com
My favorite book about a historical setting would be Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring. I never would have purchased this book had I not been involved in a reading group and I would have missed one of the best books I've ever read. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. Tracy Chevalier's writing is fluent and captures the look and feel of what I imagine, life in Delft of 1600s Holland --- would be like. Truly a book I will always remember.
Mystrytx@aol.com
So many!!! Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose; Andrew Jackson and His Indian Wars by Remini, those are just the last two I've read. There is Diary of Anne Frank, Elizabeth, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boon, Henry VIII and on and on...
Woodhead9@aol.com
Pope Joan. Great summer read.
CurtisLi@aol.com
The Three Musketeers.
heartsong77@yahoo.com
Without a doubt: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Honorable mentions:
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Champion by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Conquest by Elizabeth Chadwick
Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywellin
lgettle@iserv.net
My favorite book with a historical setting is A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.
sthring@sympatico.ca
The Lymond Saga (in 6 volumes) by Dorothy Dunnett. A brilliant historical series of novels set in the time of Mary Queen of Scots.
AndreaCarter3270@aol.com
This is SO hard --- I'm a history buff, so I read every decent historical novel I can find, but they're not easy to locate. And although I think the man's writing isn't very good, I have to say that the book that has resonated with me for a good 40 years now is Hawaii by James A. Michener. It evokes many eras, an exotic place, and a plethora of peoples who come together and form a new and fascinating society. If you can immerse yourself in the story and ignore the technical aspects of Michener's writing, you'll be enthralled.
vixw@adelphia.net
I enjoyed The Book of Eleanor by Pamela Kaufman. It is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine and was very well written. I was, however, disappointed to discover at the end of the book that the author had created the romance between Eleanor and her captain. I felt Eleanor's story was interesting enough that it did not need the addition of a false love.
Bobjoydunk@aol.com
Without a doubt: John Adams by David McCullough. Second --- and a close second --- Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose.
start@gsinet.net
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
Gerspark@aol.com
My favorite book about a historical event is Killer Angels by Shaara. I was a great depiction of the Battle of Gettysburg.
dsbrueckner@yahoo.com
The Source by James Michiner. This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of the middle east, written by someone with no agenda.
GERBAM@aol.com
JANE EYRE AND THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN ARE TWO OF THE FINEST NOVELS EVER WRITTEN.
hkpope@insightbb.com
It's hard to pick which ONE of this series, but Diana Gabaldon's set starting with Outlander is phenomenal. She brings the 17th century to life, blending specific characters into the events of the British Isles at the time. While giving you the political realities in ways that affect regular folks, she also gives the "everyman" details of living in that time as the characters go about daily life. Her commentary on the differences between 17th and 20th century life make sense within the story, and reveal some of the details of life in the 1940s in ways that do not intrude on the tale. More importantly, she tells a great tale with characters that are so real you find that you want to go have a conversation with them "down the pub." They're real; they have foibles and honor, hopes and fears, joy and pain, family and friends and enemies, and all shown in wholly believable ways. I liked these people so much that I just had to go read then next book, and then the next, so as not to lose touch with them.
Lksatt@aol.com
I very much enjoyed Cold Mountain. It's historical fiction, but realistic and I could actually see this happening.
gmld@attbi.com
Favorite: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Second Favorite: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
puzzler1012@aol.com
I would have to say that my all-time favorite is Gone With the Wind (Civil War of course).
ccopeland@cablespeed.com
Still tops on my list after many years would have to be Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour.
ZiaSmiles@aol.com
My favorite book about a historical period and event is The Journeyer by Gary Jennings. It is historical fiction telling the "things" that might have happened on Marco Polo's journeyed to China. Things, that is that Marco could not write in his book for fear of censure in his day. Jennings actually followed the path of Polo to research this exciting book.
kaldrell5@aol.com
The Knighting of Sir Lancelot.
