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History Books
From the high seas of David Grann’s The Wager to timeless primers like Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny, history books run the gamut from the page-turning action of Band of Brothers to the detailed biographies of Ron Chernow. Whether you’re looking to read up on World History in the Roman Empire or American History during the Revolutionary War, you should know that the adage holds true — those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
B&N Nonfiction Book of the Year
This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (2026 B&N Nonfiction Book of the Year)
By Craig Fehrman
A deeply researched history that reads like an adventure story, this is a fresh and in-depth account of Lewis and Clark's travels that includes new perspectives from forgotten figures, with recently discovered materials and 32 full-color photographs.
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Best History Books of 2026
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Signed & Special Editions
See AllThe Crash That Shattered the American Dream
1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation
By Andrew Ross Sorkin
Sorkin returns with an exacting look at the 1929 Wall Street collapse, outlining how and why such a catastrophe happened.
Best United States History
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Best Military History
See AllInside the 8,000-Mile Race Across Two Continents
The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris - The Adventure That Accelerated the Twentieth Century
By Kassia St. Clair
The gripping true story of the real racers who set off on an 8,000-mile journey across Asia and Europe, which helped pave the way for technological advancements at the turn of the century.
Best European History
See AllA Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
By David Grann
This seamless slam-dunk of epic history-telling from the author of the bestselling Killers of the Flower Moon is an 18th-century puzzle of high seas intrigue, a fateful shipwreck, mutiny, and a real-life Lord of the Flies descent into mayhem
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Recently Reviewed
See AllFamily of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor
By Christine Kuehn
Long-buried secrets. A ruinous affair. Espionage that led to the unthinkable. A dark truth is uncovered in Family of Spies, where one woman learns of her family's shocking involvement in the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
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History
Must-Read History Books
Explore the best selection of history books on thousands of subjects at Barnes & Noble. History books play an important role in helping us remember and learn from the past as perspectives change and we ourselves grow and evolve. From nonfiction historical narratives and biographies about historical figures to fascinating stories that delve into various historical periods, find must-read history books here.
The best history books are the ones that offer fresh insight into historical places, events, people and topics. You can re-examine ancient history in Mary Beard’s Emperor of Rome or revisit ancient Greece in Emily Hauser’s Penelope’s Bones. Trace the intersections and conflicts of European history in Andrew Roberts' Napoleon or discover how a race across Europe changed the world as we know it in Kassia St. Clair’s The Race to the Future.
The Civil War continues to be a source of captivating historical narratives such as Ron Chernow’s Grant or Nathaniel Philbrick’s The Rush. You’ll find something about any U.S. President, from new lenses on widely covered presidents like Abraham Lincoln in Jon Meacham’s And There Was Light to refreshing looks at presidents you may not know much about, such as CW Goodyear’s President Garfield. And if you’re looking for a fresh perspective on history, try A Resistance History of the United States or Dinner with King Tut.
Whether you’re a history lover, history teacher or looking for the perfect gift for a history buff, our wide selection of nonfiction history books is here to please. From popular favorites like A People's History of the United States to modern history books like The Cauldron, there are so many good books about history.
Explore today’s history bestsellers or check out our list of the best history books of 2026. Looking for a history book to start reading immediately? Download history eBooks to your smartphone, tablet, or NOOK device and start reading today.
Discover Great History Books to Read Today
- Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn
- Redwood by Ben Macintyre
- The Vast Enterprise by Craig Fehrman
- Talking Classics by Mary Beard
- Department of Fate by Rachel Maddow
- American Rambler by Isaac Fitzgerald
- Yakuza by Andrew Rankin
- Hotel Exile by Jane Rogoyska
- We the Women by Norah O'Donnell, Kate Andersen Brower
- Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings by Jared Diamond