“For me, it’s writing a book and telling people about this story.”
History is so often told through the stories of famous leaders and well-known events, but there are endless numbers of forgotten historical figures whose contributions shaped the world in profound ways. Today at What We Reading, we’re exploring non-fiction books that uncover these overlooked individuals, shedding light on unsung heroes, hidden stories, and untold histories that have been forgotten by mainstream narratives. From forgotten inventors and trailblazers to unsung revolutionaries, these books delve into the lives of people whose impact is often left in the shadows of history. Whether you’re a history buff keen to discover lesser-known periods or a reader searching for hidden gems, these must-read books about forgotten historical figures promise fresh insights into history’s mysteries. So join us as we uncover the untold stories of remarkable individuals who deserve their place in the history books.
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot
First up on our list of books about forgotten historical figures is Rebecca Skloot’s acclaimed biography, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In it, Skloot tells the story of the African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent or knowledge in the 1950s. Lacks’ cells, dubbed ‘HeLa cells’, became one of the most important tools in medical research, contributing to huge breakthroughs in developments ranging from the polio vaccine, cancer treatments, and gene mapping. However, Henrietta Lacks never received recognition or compensation for the use of her cells, and her family remained in the dark about their significance for years.
The book blends the history of scientific discovery with the personal narrative of Henrietta’s life and legacy. It explores the ethical issues involved with medical experimentation, informed consent, and racial inequalities in medicine. Through research and personal storytelling, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks honours both a pioneering woman and her lasting imprint on modern science.
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The Woman Who Smashed Codes – Jason Fagone
The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone tells the remarkable story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a pioneering cryptanalyst whose groundbreaking work in code-breaking helped shape the world of cryptography. In the early twentieth century, Elizebeth and her husband, William Friedman, were instrumental in deciphering secret communications for the US government, particularly during the two World Wars. Elizebeth’s skills in cryptography were largely overlooked during her time; nevertheless, her contributions were vital in the fight against crime and espionage.
Fagone’s work charts her life, from her early fascination with language and puzzles to her role in decoding the messages that had a profound impact on military intelligence and national security. The Woman Who Smashed Codes brings to light a forgotten figure in history, celebrating Friedman’s brilliance and the role she played in shaping modern intelligence.
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The Secret History Of The Mongol Queens – Jack Weatherford
Jack Weatherford’s The Secret History of the Mongol Queens unveils the extraordinary and often overlooked role of women in the Mongol Empire, particularly the powerful queens who helped shape the destiny of the empire. The book illustrates the lives of several women, including Toregene Khatun, Mandukhai the Wise, and others, whose political acumen and leadership were crucial in maintaining the Mongol legacy after the death of Genghis Khan.
Weather explores how these women, often overshadowed by their male counterparts, wielded influence in a patriarchal society, often stepping into leadership roles during times of crisis. Through detailed historical research and storytelling, Weatherford’s work reveals how these queens played pivotal roles in governance, diplomacy and military strategy, making for one of the most eye-opening accounts of hidden heroes in history.
The Zookeeper’s Wife – Diane Ackerman
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman tells the remarkable true story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, the husband-and-wife team who ran the Warsaw Zoo during the Second World War. When the Nazis invaded Poland in September 1939, the zoo was destroyed, and the Zabinskis found themselves in a perilous situation. Using their position as zoo keepers, they secretly hid Jews in the zoos’ abandoned animal cages and underground tunnels, helping to save the lives of over three hundred people.
The book weaves together a gripping narrative of courage, survival, and moral conviction, blending history, personal memoir, and natural history. Ackerman paints a vivid portrait of the war’s devastating impact on Warsaw, while also highlighting the Zabinskis’ quiet heroism. The Zookeeper’s Wife not only illuminates the strength and resilience of the human spirit, but also celebrates the importance of empathy and selflessness in the face of horrifying circumstances, helping to make it one of the most poignant books about overlooked figures from history.
The Memory Palace Of Matteo Ricci – Jonathan D. Spence
In The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci, Jonathan Spence explores the fascinating life and work of Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci, who lived in China during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Ricci is best known for his attempts to bridge the cultural and intellectual divides between Europe and China, primarily through his introduction of Western scientific knowledge, and his work on developing a mutual understanding between the two civilisations.
Spence’s book delves into Ricci’s innovative use of the ‘memory palace’ technique, a mnemonic system that allowed him to remember vast amounts of information and helped him to navigate his complex cultural exchanges. The book also explores Ricci’s profound understanding of Chinese philosophy, language, and traditions, and how he adapted his approach to better communicate with the Chinese elite, all of which combine for a fascinating biography on a sorely overlooked historical figure.
The Duchess Of Bloomsbury Street – Helene Hanff
Another one of the most heartwarming books about forgotten historical figures, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is a memoir that charts Helene Hanff’s journey to London in the 1970s, fulfilling a long-held dream to visit the city she had only ever known through stories. Hanff, who became famous for her earlier book, 84, Charing Cross Road, had corresponded with a bookseller in London for years and had promised herself to one day visit him in the flesh.
This historical memoir picks up where her earlier work left off, documenting her experiences as she finally arrives in London and is welcomed with the kindness and hospitality of the people she’s only known through letters. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street serves as her observations of the city and its inhabitants, celebrating the joys of travel, the warmth of connection, and the power of books to bring people together across distances and time.
The Daughters Of Yalta – Catherine Grace Katz
The Daughters of Yalta by Catherine Grace Katz brings readers the story of the three daughters of key figures involved in the Yalta Conference of 1945, where the fate of post-WWII Europe was decided. The book centres on the lives of Anna Roosevelt, daughter of Franklin D. Roosevelt; Kathleen Harriman, the daughter of Averell Harriman, and Sarah Churchill, the daughter of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. These women, often overlooked in historical accounts, played significant roles in shaping the course of history during this pivotal time.
Ktatz provides a fresh perspective on the Yalta Conference by exploring not only the political machinations between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, but also the personal relationships and experiences of these women. With rich detail, political history and personal stories of loyalty, sacrifice, and ambition, The Daughters of Yalta is a fascinating book about forgotten historical figures during one of the most consequential moments in the twentieth century.
A Distant Mirror – Barbara Tuchman
Barbara Tuchman’s A Distant Mirror is a masterful work of historical narrative that takes readers on a vivid tour through the fourteenth century, exploring the turbulent and tumultuous period known as the Late Middle Ages. Focusing on the life of French nobleman Enguerrand de Coucy, Tuchman depicts a world fraught with political intrigue, war, and social upheaval.
Through the lens of Enguerrand’s life, A Distant Mirror captures the broader struggles of the time, including the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, and the Great Schism in the Catholic Church. Tuchman deftly weaves together the personal and political, showing how the experiences of a single individual intersect with the sweeping events of the day, making for not only one of the best books about forgotten historical figures but also overlooked periods in world history.
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Hidden Figures – Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly is the inspiring true story of three African American women who played pivotal roles in NASA’s early space programs. Despite the racial and gender discrimination of the time, these brilliant mathematicians and engineers overcame numerous obstacles to contribute substantially to key achievements in the space race, including John Glenn’s orbital flight and the Apollo missions.
The book shines a much-needed spotlight on these heroes, who were fundamental in breaking down barriers and proving that intelligence and capability know no race nor gender. Shetterly not only tells their personal stories, but also places their achievements within the broader context of the civil rights movement and the struggle for equality in the twentieth century. Hidden Figures reveals how their perseverance and brilliance helped shape the course of American history, making it one of the best tributes to the often-overlooked women who helped launch the nation into space.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
