2025’s 12 Best History Books According to Reddit
History buffs, unite! We have scoured the depths of best history books Reddit recommendations to bring you the ultimate list of must-reads. Our focus? We’re all about captivating storytelling, factual accuracy, and learning from the past. Whether you’re into prehistoric adventures or modern political dramas, we’ve got you covered with a range of topics that promise to enlighten and entertain. Let’s embark on a journey through time, courtesy of the finest minds and stories out there!
On this list:
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
- The Silk Roads: A New History of the World
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
- A People’s History of the United States
- The Wright Brothers
- The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
- The Diary of a Young Girl
- A Short History of Nearly Everything
- Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
- The Guns of August
- 1776
- The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
12 Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
This book takes you on a thrilling ride from the Stone Age to the Digital Age. It’s like a rollercoaster of knowledge. We loved the simple language and humorous insights.
11 The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan
Frankopan rewires our brains to see global history from an eastern perspective. Perfect for those who’ve heard enough about the Romans.
10 Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
Diamond unravel’s the fate of societies through geography and environment. After reading, you’ll have deep convos about crops at dinner.
9 A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
Zinn flips history on its head and narrates it from the people’s view. It’s like watching Titanic, but from the iceberg’s perspective.
8 The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
McCullough makes the Wright brothers’ journey to flight feel just as exciting as a Marvel movie. Very uplifting, literally!
7 The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome by Susan Wise Bauer
Bauer’s book reads like a juicy soap opera but with pharaohs and emperors. It’s addicting and informative.
6 The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Heartfelt and poignant, Anne’s diary offers a human perspective during one of history’s darkest times. Get your tissues ready.
5 A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bryson tackles everything from geology to physics with wit and wonder. You’ll finish the book and feel like a genius.
4 Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Goodwin’s portrait of Lincoln is a masterclass in leadership. It shows that sometimes you need to keep your enemies closer.
3 The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
Tuchman captures the chaotic dance into WWI. It’s as if you’re watching the world play a risky game of dominoes.
2 1776 by David McCullough
McCullough brings the year of America’s birth to life. It’s like being a front-row spectator to the American Revolution.