Suggestions for interesting history books to read

Cod : a history of a fish

And

Salt a world history

Are very interesting reads.

I just read Castles of Steel (about the naval war of ww1) and dreadnought...but these are big long reads...great for naval history.

Five Days at Memorial was one of the best books I read this year.

Another book I read this year that was excellent was Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Scott Anderson.

I saw Lucy mention Doris Kearns Goodwin. I haven't read any of her books, but she is supposed to be terrific. I just bought the Kindle version of this one for $3: No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II

You might want to also consider historical fiction. Sometimes for me it's more interesting to read and you can still learn a lot. Herman Wouk's Winds of War and War and Remembrance are excellent books about WWII.

I just bought my dad The Unsubstantial Air: American Fliers in the First World War by Samuel Hynes. I haven't read it, but saw it on a couple "Best of 2014" non-fiction lists.

Here's an interview with the author: Samuel Hynes - NYT

I got my MA in History. My "specialty" area is pre-American Revolution, up to the Civil War. My thesis was on the contributions of lesser-known men of faith in support of ending slavery. They felt "guilty" for their wealth and felt that God's *Higher Law* superseded man's law and did what they could to assist more militant abolitionists without getting caught.

The book that started me on this trek was The Town that Started the Civil War by Nat Brandt. Brandt was a newspaper/TV journalist along with his book writing, so his writing style is very reader-friendly. Through this book I learned about the little town (Oberlin, Ohio) and how the Oberlin/Wellington Rescue was connected to John Brown's Harpers Ferry revolt, and the earlier cases of Anthony Burns (runaway slave living in freedom in Boston, but kidnapped by slave catchers) and the Amistad (ship)Slave Revolt. All of these events are connected through the finances of this small group of men.

All of those connections are what intrigued me and led to my thesis topic.

I'll agree with others that historical fiction is a great place to start. HF authors do a LOT of research before writing their books & they (the books) often send me into a rabbit hole of my own research.

HTH,
Chele :-)

. Seward is a fascinating character! DH and I stumbled on his home in Auburnn NY on one of our motorcycle trips. I am constantly dragging the poor guy through historic homes but we both agreed this tour was amazing. He was so respected throughout the world that supposedly the treasures in this home rival what is In the White House - all these amazing gifts from kings and queens and rulers of other nations. Anyway, if you are ever in that area, I highly recommend taking that tour. Then head to Skaneateles for lunch!

But to answer the question you actually asked, I haven't read any civil or WWi books. But I did just finish "the Aviators Wife" about Anne Morrow Lindbergh, which was fascinating.

Connie Willis has written some fabulous books that combine time travel with historical fiction. I've read all of them, but "The Doomsday Book" is my favorite.

I love most of her books. Blackout and all clear are on my list of favorites because they are longer and thus more history. I also loved Lincoln's dreams. I don't know how much of the history was correct, but it made me want to go to the battle sites and do more research