May’s Top Picks in History

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789, by Joseph J. Ellis
If you’ve ever wondered what went on between the signings of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1789), The Quartet is for you. Written by Pulitzer-prize winning historian Joseph J. Ellis, the book asks why the colonies, just after throwing off the yoke of British rule, would choose to band together under a federal government. Ellis tells his story by focusing on four men: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. He follows them through intrigue, heady debates, and political machinations, all the way to the birth of the union.

Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies: The Real West, by  Bill O’Reilly and David Fisher
The companion book to O’Reilly’s ten-part Fox News history series examining the wild legends of the Old West and uncovering the real stories underneath them, Legends and Lies provides a new look at tales about folk figures like Davy Crockett, the Lone Ranger, Black Bart, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Jesse James…the list goes on. A great choice for anyone who loves cowboys, the Wild West, or just a good yarn.

The China Mirage: The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia, by James Bradley
The China Mirage spans a lengthy chunk of Chinese history and Chinese-American relations, from the 19th century to Mao’s ascent to power. Written by the author of the bestseller Flags of our Fathers, the book starts with the wealthy Americans who made their money from the opium trade—and who contributed to the addiction of millions. From there, Ellis traces Chinese-American entanglement through the missionaries, World War II all the way to the rise of communism. A well-written book on a subject that will only become more relevant as time marches on.

The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History, by Boris Johnson
Written by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, The Churchill Factor takes a fresh and sympathetic approach to the life and achievements of Winston Churchill. Tracing the impact that Churchill had (and still has) on world affairs, the book doesn’t ignore his mistakes, either: there’s a whole chapter entitled “Winston Churchill and the Art of Surviving the Cataclysmic Cock-Up.” Especially notable for its humor and light touch, The Churchill Factor is a lively and enjoyable addition to the ranks of Churchill biographies.

Washington’s Revolution: The Making of America’s First Leader, by Robert Middlekauff
It’s hard to frame George Washington as anything other than the nation’s first president, but that’s what Washington’s Revolution sets out to achieve. From Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Middlekauff, here is a book that follows Washington’s journey from a self-conscious man prone to explosive blasts of temper, to a revolutionary, and finally to the leader we encounter in our history books. Widely lauded in publications like The New York Times Book Review and The Wall Street Journal, Washington’s Revolution is a good choice for anyone interested in the driving personality behind the founding of the nation.

Texas Rising: The Epic True Story of the Lone Star Republic and the Rise of the Texas Rangers, 1836-1846, by Stephen L. Moore
Texas Rising is the companion book to the History Channel’s miniseries of the same name, but stands easily on its own. Set during the blood-soaked years of the short-lived Republic of Texas, it provides a lively and exciting overview of the battles, machinations, and political narratives that characterized Texas in the 1830s. Perfect for fans of Texas history (for a great Father’s Day gift, add some salsa and Tito’s Vodka to the basket).
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