United States History Books: Must-Read American History

With 250 years of stories, memories and history, the best way to celebrate the Semiquincentennial is to examine the past. From little-known accounts to in-depth timelines and fresh perspectives, these books are packed with impressive history that will fascinate any reader.

Bringing to life the stirring, revolutionary words that helped shape American democracy, Isaacson offers a vital reminder of the values we continue to aspire to as a nation.

 

The United States is a country ripe with complexities, and this book takes them all on. Sitting at the cross-section of scholarly research and approachable prose, this book is a great read for anyone who wants to understand this nation better.

 

Bringing women to the forefront of America’s founding, Norah O’Donnell’s gripping storytelling shines a spotlight on scientists, artists and abolitionists long overlooked by history.

 

Maybe you already think you know the midnight ride of Paul Revere by heart, maybe not, but even if you know it… do you really? This captivating account of what actually happened pulls in all the tertiary details to paint a complete picture, from the man himself to the events that led to this most important night.

 

Encompassing the triumphs, struggles and challenges of American history from early colonialism to the present day, Jon Meacham offers a nuanced look at the country’s evolution and the ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union.

 

Deep dive research, unsparing and entertaining, told with a piercing humor and direct delivery, Michael Harriot, author and social critic, writer for The Root and The Grio and host of the Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History podcast, is here to tell you what is missing from our American "history" books. 

 

There are few documents as storied as the Constitution of the United States, but who really understands it? Jill Lepore's Pulitzer Prize-winning book is here to help, digging into the history and legacy of the Constitution in all of its intricacies and hopes. This is sharp and necessary narrative nonfiction.

 

Prolific historians Ken Burns and Geoffrey C. Ward, alongside a similarly prolific supporting cast, take us deeper into the American Revolution than ever before, spotlighting the struggle for independence and how it continues to ripple across the nation today.

 

With illuminating insights from both sides of the war, Rick Atkinson brings fresh perspectives to the first 21 months of the American Revolution.

 

The Warmth of Other Suns details the Great Migration, the movement of Black Americans out of the South and to the North and West. This is a work of massive importance, written with an immensely approachable voice to boot.

 

David McCullough presents the story of a nation and the people who brought it to life in this extensive history based on both American and British documents and archives. This deluxe edition features a slipcase, striking sprayed edges and more.

Just in time for the semiquincentennial, discover an in-depth, accessible timeline of the nation and all its flaws, obstacles and triumphs.

 

Explore the key documents that helped form the foundation for America and its people. Featuring the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers, and more, this is essential history.

 

Moving from decade to decade, this book highlights the major milestones in American history through objects, featuring over 600 Smithsonian artifacts.

 

Learn the lives, loves  and drama of Angelica and Elizabeth Schuyler, two women who sat at the forefront of America’s founding.  Daughters of colonial Hudson Valley aristocracy, the Schuyler sisters attached themselves to powerful men in the days of turmoil, battles and dinner parties.

 

Consisting of 55 sections, this is a book-length poem that examines national identity, parenthood, masculinity and popular culture through the lens of the American people.

 

A vital historical document that helped lead to the American Revolution, Common Sense is the most influential pamphlet of the Revolutionary era, paving the way for independence.

 

In the pack of well-known founding fathers, Samuel Adams has remained an enigma. In The Revolutionary, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and biographer Stacy Schiff teases out a captivating portrait of this historical actor and the Revolution he helped make, revealing a fiery orator, fierce patriot, master of tactics, strategy and motivation. 

 

Explore the moments that shaped American history through pivotal acts of resistance and rebellion that inspired change and revolution, such as the Salem Witch Trials and the Underground Railroad.

 

This in-depth historical timeline covers queer history from pre-1942 to now, highlighting the monumental figures from LGBTQ history and their tireless efforts for equality and social acceptance.

Dissecting the work of Thomas Paine, this re-interpretation of Common Sense offers fresh and compelling insights into the original text and examines the work through a modern lens.

Celebrate the eclectic history of the United States with this in-depth look at 1,000 prominent moments from the last 250 years that have helped shape the nation. From the Industrial Revolution to The Beatles at Shea Stadium, prepare to view history in a new way.

 

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