Best World History Books

Explore the answer to the central problem in global history with Guns, Germs, and Steel. In this insightful book, author Jared Diamond looks at the broad movements of peoples and ideas on every continent since the Ice Age. He presents a biology-driven answer to The Rise of the West, focusing on geography, demography, and ecological happenstance. With a binocular perspective of an evolutionary biologist and a heart that belongs to the people of New Guinea, Diamond presents a well-rounded and evenhanded review of human history.

Discover the story of human history, from the first humans to walk the earth to today's modern society. Explore how we came to believe in gods, nations, and human rights, and how our societies were shaped by the Cognitive, Agricultural, and Scientific Revolutions. Sapiens covers it all, using insights from biology, anthropology, paleontology, and economics to challenge our beliefs about what it means to be human. Are we happier now than we were before? Can we change our behavior and influence the future? Dr. Yuval Noah Harari's provocative and wide-ranging book will challenge the way you think about our species and our place in the world.

Discover the rise and fall of Rome in SPQR, as Mary Beard offers a passionate and detail-oriented narration of the history of the ancient empire. From a humble beginning to becoming the masters of the Mediterranean, Beard challenges the traditional historical viewpoints and sheds light on often overlooked aspects such as class struggles and democratic movements. Spanning nearly a millennium, this highly informative and engaging read will leave your hair standing on end, earning its place as a modern classic - shaping our view of Rome for many years to come.

Explore the universe and the human experience with one of Bill Bryson's biggest books. From the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson seeks to answer the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about ourselves and the world around us. Join him on an adventure to understand how we got from there being nothing to there being us, as he learns from some of the world's most advanced archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians. A Short History of Nearly Everything is a profoundly clear and entertaining journey through the depths of human knowledge.

Discover the fascinating history of the world's most common household item: salt. From shaping civilization to financing wars, this valuable substance has played a pivotal role throughout human history. Mark Kurlansky's multi-layered masterpiece is both entertaining and informative, filled with colorful characters and fascinating details.

Discover the fascinating history of Genghis Khan, the Mongol warrior who rose to power and shaped the modern world. From his roots in Mongol culture to his tactical warfare and empire-building, this book tells the captivating story of a true historical figure who changed the course of history.

Discover the stories of all peoples in this fascinating first volume of a new series that connects historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China. Author Susan Wise Bauer gives weight to the characteristics of each country while still providing vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history. With dozens of maps and timelines, this narrative history is an engrossing tapestry of human behavior and world events.

Discover the incredible, untold story of Virginia Hall, one of the greatest American spies who changed the course of the Second World War. Despite being rejected from the foreign service due to her gender and prosthetic leg, Hall talked her way into Churchill's "ministry of ungentlemanly warfare" and became the first woman to deploy to occupied France. Coordinating a network of spies, she sabotaged enemy lines and recruited and trained guerrilla fighters while being hunted by the Gestapo. Through sheer persistence and bravery, Hall became known as the "Madonna of the Resistance" and helped win the war.

Explore American history from the perspective of the people who shaped it, in this groundbreaking book. A People's History of the United States throws out the official narrative and focuses on the struggles and triumphs of everyday Americans, including women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, and immigrant laborers. From the fight for fair wages to the battle for women's rights, this book explores the grassroots movements that shaped our country. With lively prose and scholarly research, this classic bestseller is a must-read for anyone who wants to truly understand America's past and future.

Discover the fascinating events and people that led to World War I with this Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The author, Barbara Tuchman, provides intricate details and an expert understanding of the subject that will leave readers captivated. Throughout this historical survey, Tuchman reveals how the war started, why it began, and how it could have been prevented. THE GUNS OF AUGUST offers an engaging perspective on a critical moment in world history that is not to be missed.