By The History Reader
The United States first celebrated Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. 111 years later, the holiday has evolved but the sentiment remains the same. As Father’s Day approaches this year, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite books—covering subjects from the famous Battle at the OK Corral to hair metal in the 1980s—that will make the perfect gift for Dad.
Killing the Mob: The Fight Against Organized Crime in America
By Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard
If your dad loves suspenseful true stories, look no further. Killing the Mob tackles the controversial subject of the mob. Starting from the 20th century, O’Reilly and Dugard trace the roots of organized crime in the United States, studying serial robbers, conmen, murderers, and especially, mob family bosses. Discussing the FBI’s involvement, the notorious “Five Families,” and U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy’s struggle with legendary Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa, O’Reilly and Dugard go deep into uncovering the mob’s secrets. If your dad enjoyed The Irishman, he will definitely enjoy this book.
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Blood & Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America’s First Frontier
By Bob Drury & Tom Clavin
Blood and Treasure is the perfect read for the dad who is a history buff. Drury and Clavin illustrate colonial tensions during the mid-eighteenth century, and the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Drawing on numerous diaries, journals, newspaper reports, and eyewitness accounts, Blood and Treasure presents an epic narrative of the life of Daniel Boone and life on the often bloody “First Frontier.” With fantastic historical insights that read like fiction, Drury and Clavin have created a remarkable epoch, filled with gripping tales of courage and sacrifice.
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Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell
By Tom Clavin
Did we mention that Tom Clavin has some of our favorite books? Written in a “distinctly American voice” (New York Times), Tombstone is the true story about the afternoon of October 26, 1881, when eight men clashed in what would be known as the most famous shootout in American frontier history. It discusses the events leading up to the Battle at the OK Corral, and also digs deep into the vendetta ride that followed the tragic gunfight. Clavin peers behind decades of legend surrounding the story of Tombstone to reveal the true story of the drama and violence that made it famous.
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Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the ’80s Hard Rock Explosion
By Tom Beaujour & Richard Bienstock
Is your dad still jamming out to Mötley Crüe’s “Girls, Girls, Girls,” or Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”? Is his love of hair metal and crazy hair getting a bit too old for you? Nöthin’ But a Good Time is the perfect outlet for your dad’s inner rockstar. The book takes you on a journey that captures the energy and excess of the hair metal years in the words of the musicians, managers, producers, engineers, label executives, publicists, stylists, costume designers, photographers, journalists, magazine publishers, video directors, club bookers, roadies, groupies, and hangers-on who lived it. He won’t put this book down without at least one 80s rock song stuck in his head!
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All You Need Is Ears: The Inside Personal Story of the Genius Who Created the Beatles
By George Martin with Jeremy Hornsby
For the dad that prefers The Beatles over hair metal, All You Need is Ears is the perfect read. Written by Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated record producer George Martin—often called “the fifth Beatle”—the book shows an intimate glimpse into the life of The Beatles, their recording sessions, their experiences on the road, and their creative process. This book is guaranteed to please the music-loving father.
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Three Wise Men: A Navy SEAL, a Green Beret, and How Their Marine Brother Became a War’s Sole Survivor
By Beau Wise & Tom Sileo
On a day celebrating family, get dad a book celebrating the love, service, and sacrifice one family made for their country. Three Wise Men is the story of three brothers—both by blood and in arms—who volunteered to serve in the US armed forces. After losing both of his brothers in war, Beau Wise lives to tell the story. Through the voice of a veteran, a brother, and a son, Beau’s story will touch everyone’s heart.
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24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid
By Willie Mays & John Shea
For all the baseball-loving dads out there, 24 gives us not only a glimpse of the legendary baseball player Willie Mays but also his life outside of baseball. His success as a baseball legend inspired countless people around the country, including President Obama, who said: “It’s because of giants like Willie that someone like me could even think about running for President.” With his memoir, Mays hopes to continue to influence, inspire, and educate a new generation.
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