Looking for a book for my partner. He recently read “The Wager” and “Vagrant Viking: My life and Adventures” and he loved them! He’s very interested in history (of all times and places), specifically mysterious cases of strange historical events (like “The Wager”) and untold or overlooked stories. He usually enjoys reading about unique and unknown historical figures, wars, geopolitical trends, Eastern European and ancient civilizations/communities, shipwrecks/aviation accidents, and truly all things history.
I’m hoping for a book that is less academic and more easily consumable (it’s a birthday present and I want it to be on the easier-read side of things!). Thank you for any suggestions you can give!
by x_foggy
14 Comments
For fascinating military history, The Great Siege: Malta 1565 by Ernle Bradford
For history of scientific discovery, The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes
My son recently read Steel Boat Iron Hearts which is a memoir of a German crewman on a u-boat in WWII and loved it. https://a.co/d/iplVa5W
I would recommend [Quackery](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33572516) a brief history of the worst ways to cure everything. Not only is it well-researched but it is easily consumed and very informative while remaining funny. the length to which people go to cure themselves into tragically painful death is mind blowing.
In Harm’s Way by Doug Stanton. About the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and written like a thriller.
[Batavia’s Graveyard](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128824.Batavia_s_Graveyard) is an interesting one.
Eric “Winkle” Brown, Wings on My Sleeve. Not great writing, but the man lived an amazing life with incredible stories to tell. British naval test pilot who flew more types of aircraft than anyone else, met Nazi notables before and after the war (after as an interrogator). Flew everything from biplanes to jets to helicopters into late life.
The Ice Master by Jennifer Niven, The River of Doubt by Candice Millard, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing, Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition by Buddy Levy, Ice Ghosts by Paul Watson…all non-fiction. Here are a few I enjoyed. Also check out Nathaniel Philbrick’s books on various sea adventures
Lady Killers was a fun read.
*Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia* by Christina Thom. It’s got ancient Polynesians + seafaring + a variety of European personalities too.
Two Years Behind the Mast – Henry Dana
He might like Dead Wake by Erik Larson or Island of the Lost by Joan Druett
He would probably enjoy ‘*Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific in a Raft*’ and ‘*Aku-Aku, the Secret of Easter Island*’ by Thor Hyerdhal, ‘*Sailing Alone Around the World*’ by Joshua Slocum and perhaps, if he fancies a palate cleanser of fiction, ‘*An Old Captivity*’ by Nevil Shute.
Dirk Pitt books by Clive Cussler for the maritime adventures. Fictional, though.
One Summer: America 1926 by Bill Bryson has so much unexpected history, so many pieces that fit together and trace to the present, and unique figures known and unknown.