Logo for History Readers

U. S. History

Celebrating Black History Month in 2025

Let's honor the remarkable Black Americans throughout history with our favorite books. From the 19th century…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: A Matter of Complexion

by Tess Chakkalakal

Leaving Fayetteville Charles W. Chesnutt. (Public domain, Wikimedia Images.) On October 7,…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: The JFK Conspiracy

by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch

Belmont, New HampshireSeptember 1960…
Read the article

The Island Behind the Island: Real Life Inspiration for Trouble Island

Middle Island, Lake Eerie, Ontario, Canada

by Sharon Short

Suspense author Sharon Short shares the rich history behind Middle Island, the real-life location that inspired…
Read the article

Silver Wedding

by Lydia Reeder

Harriot Kezia Hunt, from a 1910 publication. (Public domain,…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: Four Against the West

Phantly Roy Bean Jr. 1825

by Joe Pappalardo

Four Against the West  is a thrilling true saga of legendary Texas figure Judge…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: Resist

Example of a hanging tree in Dallas Texas

by Rita Omokha

In Resist, award-winning journalist Rita Omokha charts the last century of civil rights activism, from the…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: “Second Life” from Cabinet of Curiosities

Lost State of Franklin Boundary Map

by Aaron Mahnke

Read below for a fascinating excerpt from Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable,…
Read the article

‘Gunplay’ in the Wild West

Butch Cassidy

by Tom Clavin

This week sees the publication of my new book, Bandit Heaven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gangs and the…
Read the article

I Am a Respectable Person

by Jack Kelly

Elizabeth Jennings Graham. Public domain via…
Read the article

U. S. History

Featured Excerpt: Milena and Margarete: A Love Story in Ravensbrück

Milena, circa 1930. Photo Credit: Milena and Margarete.

by Gwen Strauss

From the moment they met in 1940 in the Ravensbrück concentration camp, Milena…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: Once There Was a Town

Lillian Chanales, portrait of author's grandmother pictured in mourning attire after husband's death.

by Jane Ziegelman

Described as an "animated tapestry" by The Wall Street Journal, Jane Ziegelman's Once…
Read the article

The Escapes of David George and the Stories We Tell About Slavery

The Escapes of David George Timeline

by Gregory E. O'Malley

by Gregory O'Malley When most people think of North American slavery, they most often think of…
Read the article

Featured Excerpt: The Great Abolitionist

Southern Chivalry Argument versus Club's depiction, 1856.

by Stephen Puleo

The Great Abolitionist is the first major biography of Charles Sumner to be published…
Read the article

Falling in Love with Texas’ Worst Town

Texas Ranger Frank Hamer

by Joe Pappalardo

From a wrestler with cauliflower ears to ill-used dance hall girls to everyday…
Read the article

I Told You So!

Thomas Sydenham – English physician (1624–1689).

by Matt Kaplan

From Darwin to Pasteur to modern-day scientists, Matt Kaplan's I Told You So!…
Read the article

Five History Books Coming This March!

The History Reader Upcoming Books March 2026
From society belles teaming up with gun manufacturers to save America's birds in The Feather Wars…
Read the article

The Battle of Wounded Knee

Portrait of Sitting Bull taken at the studio William Notman & Son, in Montreal, Canada, in 1885

by Tom Clavin

Two weeks after the death of Sitting Bull, tensions were high between the…
Read the article

Connect with The History Reader

opens in a new window Facebook-f opens in a new window Twitter

Other Historical Fiction Titles

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.