“The cry of the poor is not always just, but if you don’t listen to it, you will never know what justice is.”
History is often filled with well-known books and events; however, there’s a wealth of groundbreaking history books that don’t always receive the attention they deserve. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to expand your reading list, we here at What We Reading have you covered with our favourite underrated history books that offer fresh perspectives that are guaranteed to surprise and challenge you. These hidden gem history reads cover a range of lesser-known historical events and figures that offer a chance to delve deeper into the past, providing unique insights that go beyond the typical narrative. If you’re looking for must-read history books, these works are sure to change the way you think and more than earn their spot on your shelf!
The History Of The Medieval World: From The Conversion Of Constantine To The First Crusade (The History Of The World #2) – Susan Wise Bauer
Kicking off our list of the most groundbreaking history books is The History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer. In it, Bauer takes readers on a journey through the key events and figures from across the Medieval period, examining the interconnectedness of cultures and empires during this often overlooked era and presenting new insights into the political, social and religious dynamics that shaped the world during the time.
One of the definitive works on this period in history, Bauer challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the contributions made by both well-known and lesser-known civilizations of the time. The History of the Medieval World reveals complexities and the far-reaching impacts of medieval society, making it one of the most essential reads for anyone looking to understand how this period in history shaped contemporary society.
A People’s History Of The United States – Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States offers a radically different perspective on American history, focusing on the experiences of marginalised groups rather than traditional political figures. Zinn challenges the conventional narrative by highlighting the struggles of Indigenous people, African Americans, women, labourers and others who have found themselves excluded from mainstream historical coverage.
This groundbreaking history book uncovers hidden gems of American history, shedding light on the social, racial and economic dynamics that have shaped the nation. It remains one of the most influential works for redefining how we understand the American story, urging readers to reconsider historical events from the viewpoints of those so often silenced.
A History Of The World In 6 Glasses – Tom Standage
Throughout history, certain drinks have done far more than just quench thirst. In A History of the World in 6 Glasses, Tom Standage explores world history through the lens of six beverages – beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and cola – that have shaped the course of civilisation. He traces how these drinks influenced major historical events, from the rise of agriculture with beer to the spread of colonialism through tea and the global dominance of cola in the modern world.
Each drink offers a fascinating perspective on social, cultural and economic change, demonstrating how what we drink has so often been the crucial political decisions made across history. With its engaging narrative and unique approach, Standage reveals hidden gems about our past, offering readers fresh insights into how must-read history books can reveal the significance of everyday life and challenge conventional views of world events.
The Making Of The English Working Class – E.P. Thompson
The Making of the English Working Class by E.P. Thompson is a pioneering work that redefines the social history of the Industrial Revolution in England. Thompson explores the development of the working class during this transformative period, honing in on their struggles, culture and political movements. By examining the lives of ordinary people, the book illuminates how they shaped the course of history through resistance, solidarity and action.
This groundbreaking history book challenges traditional narratives of industrialisation by focusing on the experiences of the working classes, making it essential reading for anyone interested in social history. It provides a unique lens into the complexities of labour, class and power, offering readers the chance to further their understanding of the industrial era in England and its lingering effects.
Salt: A World History – Mark Kurlansky
The only rock humans eat, salt has a long, profound and fascinating history. From its use as currency and a preservative to its influence on trade routes, empires and conflicts, Mark Kurlansky chronicles the vital role salt has had in history in his book, Salt: A World History.
This groundbreaking history book reveals how this humble substance impacts everything from politics and religion to food and economics. Through engaging anecdotes and meticulous research, Salt offers unique historical insights into how one of the world’s most essential resources has shaped societies across the globe.
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story Of America’s Shining Women – Kate Moore
Kate Moore tells the captivating and heartbreaking true story of the young women who worked with radioactive paint, unaware of its deadly effects, in the early twentieth century in her historical biography, The Radium Girls.
As they painted glow-in-the-dark dials for instruments and watches, these women suffered horrifying health consequences, igniting a legal and social movement that led to long-overdue reform in workplace safety. Through this investigation into a dark chapter in industrial history, Moore reveals the courage of the women who fought for justice against powerful corporations. The Radium Girls is one of the most groundbreaking takes on the human cost of industrial progress, highlights the importance of workers’ rights and captures the intersection of science, labour and social justice.
Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler And Stalin – Timothy Snyder
In Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, Timothy Snyder offers readers a harrowing exploration of the mass killings across Eastern Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, a region sandwiched between the atrocities of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Snyder examines the human cost of the two totalitarian regimes, focusing on the millions of lives lost in countries like Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics.
This crucial work reveals the often-overlooked horrors of this part of the world, offering unique historical insights into the scale of destruction that shaped the course of the Second World War and its aftermath. One of the most groundbreaking historical books of its time, Bloodlands serves as a potent reminder of the human suffering behind the ideological battles of the twentieth century.
Guns, Germs, And Steel: The Fates Of Human Societies (Civilizations Rise And Fall #1) – Jared Diamond
A Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestseller, Guns, Germs, and Steel explores the factors that shaped the development of human societies, arguing that the geography, climate and environment played key roles in determining which civilisations flourished, and which were left behind.
Jared Diamond challenges traditional views of history by moving the focus from race or intelligence to the influence of external factors on societal progression. From the domestication of plants and animals to the spread of diseases to the availability of resources, Guns, Germs, and Steel offer a wealth of compelling insights into global patterns of inequality and power. One of the most trailblazing historical works in recent times, it is an essential read for challenging us to reconsider the forces behind the evolution of societies.
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The Black Death: A Personal History – John Hatcher
The Black Death: A Personal History by John Hatcher offers one of the most intimate accounts of one of the most devastating pandemics in history. Through the lens of personal stories and individual experiences, Hatcher brings the catastrophic impact of the plague to life, focusing on the lives of ordinary people living in England during the fourteenth century.
This groundbreaking and thoroughly unique history book explores the emotional and societal upheaval caused by the plague, providing a fresh analysis of how it reshaped communities, economics and the course of history. By humanising this tragedy, Hatcher makes the horrors of the pandemic more relatable and poignant, helping to make The Black Death: A Personal History essential for anyone looking to understand more about how deadly the extent of this period truly was.
The Silk Roads: A New History Of The World – Peter Frankopan
Peter Frankopan’s The Silk Roads presents a revolutionary view of world history, centring on the East and the pivotal role the Silk Roads played in shaping global civilisation. Frankopan pivots away from the traditional Western-centric narrative, highlighting the cultural, economic and political exchanges that flowed along these ancient trade routes that connected the East with Europe and beyond.
One of the most groundbreaking history books, Frankopan demonstrates how the Silk Roads facilitated the spread of ideas, religions and goods, ultimately influencing the course of world history. The Silk Roads provides a fresh and expansive view of the past, challenging conventional understandings of power and influence, making it a must-read for anyone keen to learn more about the interconnectedness of civilisations and the role trade and cultural exchanges played in shaping the modern world.
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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).
