Historical Fiction
Explore books in the Historical Fiction category
33 books in this category
Cryptonomicon
Neal Stephenson
A complex novel weaving themes of cryptography, history, and treasure hunts across multiple timelines.
A Gentleman in Moscow
Amor Towles
A novel about a Russian count sentenced to house arrest, exploring themes of resilience and adaptability.
Musashi
Eiji Yoshikawa
A historical novel about the life of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, exploring themes of honor, discipline, and martial arts.
The Last Days of Night
Graham Moore
A historical novel set during the War of Currents, following the rivalry between Edison and Westinghouse over electric power.
Lincoln
Gore Vidal
A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.
The Pillars of the Earth
Ken Follett
A historical novel set in medieval England, focusing on the building of a cathedral and the lives of those involved.
City of Thieves
David Benioff
A novel about two men on a dangerous mission during the Siege of Leningrad, blending dark humor with historical tragedy.
Gates of Fire
Steven Pressfield
A historical novel about the Battle of Thermopylae, depicting the courage and camaraderie of Spartan warriors.
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
A novel set during WWII following a blind French girl and a German soldier, highlighting resilience and fate.
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
A novel about a missionary family’s experiences in the Congo, exploring themes of faith, culture, and colonialism.
War And Peace
Leo Tolstoy
An epic novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of love, war, and the interconnectedness of society.
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Michael Chabon
A novel about two Jewish cousins in the comic book industry during WWII, blending history, love, and adventure.
The Sympathizer
Viet Thanh Nguyen
A novel about a Vietnamese double agent after the Vietnam War, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and trauma.
The Underground Railroad
Colson Whitehead
A novel about a young slave’s journey to freedom, reimagining the Underground Railroad as an actual railway system.
Lincoln in the Bardo
George Saunders
A novel set in the afterlife, exploring grief and redemption as Abraham Lincoln mourns his young son.
The First Circle
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
A novel set in a Soviet labor camp, examining the lives of political prisoners and the nature of power.
Lincoln
Fred Kaplan
A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.
A Suitable Boy
Vikram Seth
A novel set in post-independence India, following the lives of four families and exploring themes of love, politics, and society.
Daughter of Fortune
Isabel Allende
A historical novel set in the 19th century, following a young woman’s journey from Chile to California in search of love and freedom.
The Charterhouse of Parma
Stendhal
A novel about an Italian nobleman’s life and love affairs against the backdrop of European political unrest.
A Grain of Wheat
Ngugi wa Thiong'o
A novel set during Kenya's fight for independence, exploring the personal and political complexities of colonialism and liberation.
The Signature of All Things
Elizabeth Gilbert
A historical novel following a female botanist in the 19th century, exploring themes of science, adventure, and self-discovery.
Shōgun
James Clavell
A historical novel set in 17th-century Japan, following an English navigator’s journey through Japanese politics and culture.
Enemies, a Love Story
Isaac Bashevis Singer
A novel about a Holocaust survivor in New York navigating complex relationships and past traumas.
Memoirs of Hadrian
Marguerite Yourcenar
A fictionalized autobiography of Roman Emperor Hadrian, reflecting on his life, reign, and philosophical insights.
The Reader
Bernhard Schlink
A novel about a young man’s relationship with an older woman, exploring themes of love, guilt, and the Holocaust.
Burr
Gore Vidal
A fictionalized account of Aaron Burr’s life, delving into his political career and scandalous reputation.
American Tabloid
James Ellroy
A crime novel that explores the dark side of American politics in the years leading up to JFK’s assassination.
The Nickel Boys
Colson Whitehead
A novel based on the true story of a brutal reform school in Florida, exposing systemic racism and injustice.
The Afghan Campaign
Steven Pressfield
Historical fiction detailing a soldier's experience in Alexander the Great's campaign in Afghanistan.
Matterhorn
Karl Marlantes
A novel depicting the brutal experiences of soldiers in the Vietnam War.
An Instance of the Fingerpost
Iain Pears
Historical mystery novel set in 17th-century England.
Lincoln
David Herbert Donald
A fictionalized biography of Abraham Lincoln, capturing his political and personal struggles during the Civil War.