Last year was a banner year for advocates of the importance of public history. In a year when so many have been left wanting more, searching for clarity amidst the confusion caused by an increasingly complicated world, the past can help provide a guide for the future. From the presidential campaign to the Syrian refugee crisis to the cracks in the foundations of postwar Western democracy, the role of the historian has taken on new prominence, a trend that has included museums.
many of this year’s best books were about museums, from samuel redman’s bone rooms, which provides a much-needed foundation for the relationship between museums and native americans, to richard conniff’s house of lost worlds, It offers a wonderful history of paleontology. The Smithsonian himself, Jon Grinspan of the Museum of American History, wrote an illuminating look at American electoral history with the Virgin Vote, and for those who had (and didn’t) the opportunity to tour the institution’s newest museum, the accompanying book starts with the past: building the national museum of black history and culture, comes as close as possible to replicating the experience.
You are reading: Best history books of 2016
here are some other great history reads to add to your list that were published in the past year.
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hitler: rise, 1889-1939 by volker ullrich
This national book award finalist tells the story of forsyth county, georgia, where the jim crow laws were taken to the extreme. By virtually banishing all non-white residents from its borders, the county sought to institutionalize not only white supremacy, but white purity as well. Phillips, who grew up in Forsyth, tells a story that draws together many of the threads of racial violence in post-Civil War America.
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- the earth is crying: the epic story of the indian wars for the american west by peter cozzens this detailed account of the battles for control of the large the expanse of the American plains brings nuance and new detail to a time that needs both. Without diminishing the devastating impact of these wars on Native American populations, Cozzens reveals the motivations of the U.S. generals and officers fresh from their civil war experiences. Read this exclusive excerpt from the book about President Grant’s covert plot against the Plains Indians.
- A Whole Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression by Jane Ziegelman and Andrew Coe How Does a Nation of Plenty Confront Hunger on a Large Scale? national? Food historians Jane Ziegelman and Andrew Coe look at the Great Depression through a plate as a lens. It’s a fascinating way to explore one of America’s darkest hours, and the authors’ descriptions of bread lines, strange food combinations, and new nutrition science just might change the way you view your next food.
- countdown to pearl harbor by steve twomey some stories are groundbreaking for your new investigation and analysis, shedding much-needed light on a cloaked subject. Others, like this cracker read before the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, take advantage of excellent writing and storytelling to bring a well-told story to life. Blaming no one person in particular, Twomey’s captivating words leave the reader wondering what might have been if military officials had anticipated the events of the “day of infamy.” read this exclusive excerpt from the hours before the attack.
- Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard Does the uniform make the man or does the man make the uniform? For Winston Churchill, it is clear that he was destined for greatness even in his early years. As he did in his best-selling books on Theodore Roosevelt and James A. Garfield, Millard uses a formative experience to describe a larger-than-life historical figure. With Churchill, he discusses the future Prime Minister’s foray into South Africa, where he was held in a military prison during the Boer War. his escape and subsequent journey to freedom made him a national hero. Read our hero of the empire coverage here.
- louisa: the extraordinary life of mrs. adams by louisa thomas until january 20, 2017, when melania trump sees her husband take the oath of office as president, the united states will have had only one foreign-born first lady: louisa adams, the wife of john quincy adams and daughter-in-law of John and Abigail Adams. Louisa was born in London, but she used the skills she was taught as an upper-class English woman for her benefit in charming Washington society. Read about her integral role in her husband’s political successes here.
- truevine: two brothers, a kidnapping and the search for a mother: a true story of jim crow south by beth macy a fascinating story of twists Set in the 1920s American South, where the Klan was making a comeback and racism was rampant, TrueVine tells the story of the Muse Brothers, two albino African Americans who became famous as part of a circus sideshow. Macy deftly separates family lore from the truth, uncovering both intrigue and embarrassing exploitation along the way as she gives the brothers the space to tell an untold side of their story.
- The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African-American Slaves in the White House by Jesse J. holland on the first night of this year’s democratic national convention, first lady michelle obama made headlines when she said, “i wake up every morning in a house built by slaves” . The truth behind the matter, covered here by Danny Lewis, is also addressed in this fascinating biography of the enslaved people who resided alongside 10 of the first 12 presidents in the White House. Holland Landowner’s work here accomplishes what many other histories have failed to do, which is to tell the stories of those whose names have long been forgotten, but who were instrumental in understanding the lives of the founding fathers. read an interview with holland here.