best history books that read like fiction

One great one is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and combines historical details of that era with a mystery plot. The characters are vivid, and as you read, you feel like you're really in that time period.

Sure. 'Lies My Teacher Told Me' by James W. Loewen. It's about American history and reveals a lot of the inaccuracies in the way history has been taught in schools. But it's not presented in a boring academic way. Instead, it reads like a story, with engaging arguments and real - life historical events presented in a thought - provoking manner.

Sure. 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves is a good start. It gives an account of the early Roman emperors in a very accessible and engaging way. It reads like a family saga filled with intrigue, power struggles, and all sorts of drama, which makes it easy to get into the historical events.

A strong narrative. These books usually have a clear plotline that drives the story forward. In 'Cold Mountain' by Charles Frazier, which is based on the American Civil War, the journey of the main character is a gripping narrative that keeps you turning the pages as if it were a fictional adventure.

One characteristic is the use of vivid storytelling. Just like in fiction, these nonfiction books use detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and events. For example, in 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks', the author describes Henrietta's life, her family, and the medical context in a very vivid way that makes it feel like a fictional story about a real person.

Great history books that read like fiction tend to humanize historical figures. In 'Midnight's Children', the characters represent different aspects of India's history and society, and they are full of human flaws and virtues. Another aspect is the use of dialogue. They use dialogue to show the relationships between characters and the cultural context. For example, in 'The Name of the Rose', the conversations between the monks reveal a lot about the religious and intellectual climate of the time. Moreover, they often have a unique perspective. Instead of a general overview, they might tell the story from a particular character's point of view, like 'I, Claudius' which is from Claudius' own perspective.

One great option is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It's set in 12th - century England and vividly depicts the building of a cathedral. Another is 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which gives a fascinating look into the court of Henry VIII. And 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr is also excellent, set during World War II.

Another great one is 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote. Capote's meticulous research and his ability to create vivid characters and a suspenseful plot make this a nonfiction work that reads like a gripping crime novel. He delved deep into the real - life murder case, exploring the motives and backgrounds of the killers and the victims, and presented it all in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

One great example is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and involves a complex mystery. The detailed descriptions of the time period and the engaging plot make it seem like a fictional thriller while also being deeply rooted in historical context.

One great book from 2013 fiction is 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt. It's a coming - of - age story wrapped around a mystery. The main character, Theo, experiences a tragic event as a child and his life takes many unexpected turns. The descriptions of art and the way Tartt weaves the story around a painting make it truly captivating.