June’s Top Picks in History

Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship, by Robert Kurson
When divers John Chatterton and John Mattera set out to find the sunken ship of pirate Joseph Bannister, they’re up against enormous odds. Only once before has a pirate ship ever been located and positively identified, a fact that doesn’t stop the pair from flinging themselves headlong into the search. As they face limited resources, complicated bureaucracy, and rivals determined the find the ship first, the reader is swept along on the adventure as well. Widely praised, this breathless story also gives readers a glimpse into the world of 17th century piracy.

The Hunter Killers: The Extraordinary Story of the First Wild Weasels, the Band of Maverick Aviators Who Flew the Most Dangerous Missions of the Vietnam War, by Dan Hampton
Elite pilots, top secret military projects, and incredible heroism: these are the elements of both the Wild Weasels program and Hunter Killers, which opens a door into the project. When the Soviets successfully began to use surface-to-air missiles to take down American jets, the Pentagon established a new team with cutting-edge aviation tactics and technology—a new team with a 50 percent mortality rate. Hampton reconstructs missions from the project using firsthand interviews and newly discovered (or declassified) documents to create a gripping, fast-paced read.

The Quiet Man: The Indispensable Presidency of George H. W. Bush, by John H. Sununu
Written by former George H. W. Bush chief of staff John H. Sununu, The Quiet Man provides close and personal insight into a pivotal presidency. Approaching his topic with a positive outlook, Sununu notes Bush’s achievements in foreign policy, but also spends significant time looking at the domestic side of his policy work. Glimpses into the day-to-day work of a presidency are woven throughout, and over the course of the book, fascinating psychological portraits of both Bush and Sununu begin to take shape. A great book for people interested in Bush, political families, or the inner workings of presidencies.

Among Heroes: A U.S. Navy SEAL’s True Story of Friendship, Heroism, and the Ultimate Sacrifice, by Brandon Webb, with John David Mann
Among Heroes is the story of eight men who gave their lives in service to the United States. Written by Brandon Webb, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who also managed the SEAL sniper course, the book plunges into the history and lives of each one of these heroes, painting a picture of life, bravery, and love. With attention paid to their families, their friendships, and their characters, Among Heroes paints a beautiful, poignant picture of heroism.

Once Upon a Time in Russia: The Rise of the Oligarchs—A True Story of Ambition, Wealth, Betrayal, and Murder, by Ben Mezrich
Mezrich, the author of Bringing Down the House and The Accidental Billionaires (which were later turned into a couple of films you may have heard of: 21 and The Social Network) is back with another exciting tale of wealth and power: during the collapse of the Soviet Union, a handful of businessmen managed to capitalize wildly on the breakup of government assets, becoming both hugely rich and hugely influential. Mezrich follows two of these oligarchs, Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich, tracing their meteoric rises, and, in the case of Berezovsky, his fall at the hands of Putin, and his apparent suicide. An engrossing, highly readable tale.

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789, by Joseph J. Ellis
The story of the founding of the United States may be inspiring, but it’s also confusing. What was happening in those years after the American Revolution, but before the ratification of the Constitution? How did we get from 13 independent colonies to a federal government? These are some of the questions The Quartet seeks to answer, following George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison as they deftly navigate political processes to build the political framework we’re familiar with today. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph J. Ellis, The Quartet is a fascinating and wonderfully researched book, sure to please anyone interested in American history.
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