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Historical Figures

Every Weapon I Had Introductory Excerpt

The Frederick Hart bronze statue Three Soldiers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

by Paris Davis

In Every Weapon I Had, author Paris Davis shares the story of a…
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An Eager Beaver’s Birthday

by Tom Clavin

Tom Clavin writes about Jay Zeamer, an Eagle Scout and skilled pilot during…
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Richard Nixon’s Call for a Cosmic Hoedown

Apollo 11 launch from Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969.

by Jeffrey Kluger

Few authors have had as big an impact on space journalism as Jeffrey…
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To Look Them in the Face: Bunker Hill 250

Map of The Battle of Bunker Hill.

by Jack Kelly

As part of the ongoing celebration of the birth of the United States…
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The Red Baron and Early Flyboys During WWI

Photograph of Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron.

by Tom Clavin

To celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI on…
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This Is a Pretty Country We Live In: The Trial of Anne Royall

Ducking stool illustration

by Jack Kelly

In honor of Anne Royall's birthday (June 11, 1769), author Jack Kelly shares…
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Ben Franklin Gets Juiced With a Little Hemp

Ben West's painting of Benjamin Franklin drawing electricity from the sky.

by Tim Queeney

In June of 1752, with some sources specifically saying the tenth of June, Benjamin Franklin conducted…
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Dear Mr. Coppola: A True War Story from Việt Nam

by Alex Vernon

Alex Vernon, author of Peace Is a Shy Thing, discusses reality versus cinema…
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Featured Excerpt: The Last Secret Agent

by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson

After decades of silence,…
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Fascinating Historical Finds: May 2025

Looking for your next history read? Check out our favorite new history books publishing in May…
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Historical Figures

The Landmarks of Mary Ann Patten’s Maine

by Tilar J. Mazzeo

New York Times bestselling author Tilar J. Mazzeo gives a behind-the-scenes look…
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Dolly Parton Knows Who She Is

Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, 1969.

by Martha Ackmann

Lifelong fan Martha Ackmann shares with The History Reader why she felt drawn…
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Featured Excerpt: Tom Paine’s War

Painting of Thomas Paine by Laurent Dabos. National Portrait Gallery (London). Public domain.

by Jack Kelly

In 1776, Tom Paine's words—and the determination of American patriots—allowed our nation to…
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Three New History Books to Read This January

January 2026 Upcoming History Books
With a new year comes a new set of history books publishing this month. Whether you've…
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Featured Excerpt: The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz

Auschwitz gate

by Anne Sebba

An instant USA Today bestseller, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz …
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Featured Excerpt: JFK: Public, Private, Secret

Jackie Bouvier and John F. Kennedy married in Newport, Rhode Island, on September 12, 1953.

by J. Randy Taraborrelli

J. Randy Taraborrelli shares with The History Reader an excerpt from his…
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Featured Excerpt: The Sea Captain’s Wife

Neptune's Car Clipper Ship.

by Tilar J. Mazzeo

In The Sea Captain's Wife, New York Times bestselling author Tilar J.…
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The Curious Case of Nuremberg’s Hangman

View of the defendants in the dock at the International Military Tribunal trial of war criminals in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany. November 1945. Public domain. Courtesy of Wikimedia.

by Tim Queeney

In his book Rope, author Tim Queeney takes readers on a unique and…
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