Any history book ideas?

[thaegumathteth]

Ds is 15 and studying for his history higher. He's asked for books about history for Xmas but not textbooks iyswim. Doesn't have to be related to school topics and he doesn't want ones about slavery, ww1&2 as he already has a few of those.

I'm thinking maybe Scottish history, but beyond that I'm really quite stuck as I am not very knowledgeable about historical eras tbh.

Can anyone recommend anything Scottish history related or anything else that fits the bill? I wondered about Russian and American history too?

I really enjoyed ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles (although how historically accurate it is I have no idea).

Ah, sorry, reread your OP…you’re after non fiction but not textbooks, yes?

Yes I think non fiction. He's being his usual teenage self and offering no further helpful info.

If you have a Waterston near you, go and have a browse of their history shelves. I always find it much more inspiring than looking online and invariably find books I've not come across elsewhere.

Antony Beevor.

Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser.

Give him vouchers

I love history, live books and would far rather I had the pleasure of trawling bookstores myself

I recommend a brilliant book called The Colour of Time. It has stunning colourised from black and white photographs and then gives you the story behind the picture.
There are photographs of major events and lesser known stories from all over the world.

I quite like Bill Bryson.

Neil Oliver - A History of Scotland
It's an old TV tie in. I really enjoyed it, very readable.

On Russia, there is a brilliant book called A People’s Tragedy by Orlando Figes.

Greg Jenner, brilliant and engaging.

He could listen to the you're dead to me podcasts by Greg Jenner too.

How about the old classic Wild Swans by Amy Tan?
It has a good mix of fact & fiction and will give a good insight into the cultural revolution.

This is one of my favourite books, had it for about 30 years and love it - Faber’s Book if Reportage

For a current hot topic- The Koh i Noor by Anita Annand and William Dalrymple.
Their podcast Empire is also excellent.

Thank you everyone - really helpful ideas. Will google asap!

Re vouchers - I offered that but he wants the books 🤷🏻‍♀️

Made in America by Bill Bryson is great. I also like The

Stupid phone. The Rest Is History podcast on Spotify if he doesn't already have a subscription.

Anglo Saxons by Marc Morris is good.

Simon Schama’s books are wonderful. There’s the History of Britain ones (3 I think) which were in conjunction with the TV show in the late 90s. His French Revolution one is great too.

Agree with Bill Bryson. At Home is excellent.

Yes this is absolutely brilliant.

And the rest is History podcast too.

Death, Dissection and the Destitute by Ruth Richardson (probably out of print so look for secondhand) - victorian britain
Wagons West by Frank McLynn - america
Buried My Heart At Wounded Knee by Dee Brown - America, impact on native Americans
The Weaker Vessel by Antononia Fraser - uk women in 17th century
The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes - Australia
Vive La Revolution by Mark Steel - French revolution

Another vote here for the Colour Of

Posted too soon..

The colour of time by Marina Amaral