20 Historical Fiction Books To Read

Welcome to the channel today as we talk about twenty historical fiction books we intend to read. Truth & Courage!
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#thebrothersgwynne #booktube #historicalfiction

[@OriginalHuman]

I got introduced Bernard Cornwell through one of your previous videos and I honestly can’t thank you enough. I’ve become obsessed. This is by far one of the most underrated YT channels! 💪

[@thebrothersgwynne]

That’s awesome! Thanks for your kind comments. Cornwell is the king of historical fiction! Ed

[@itsaduck]

I was just about to look for some videos for Historical Fiction recommendations then this video pops up! Perfect timing!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

It’s as if we knew! Ed

[@madiantin]

1:00 Dorothy Dunnet - Niccolo Rising 1:53 Manda Scott - Boudica Series 3:45 Simon Scarrow - Wellington and Napoleon series 5:00 Charles Portis - True Grit 6:55 Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall 8:30 James Clavell - Shogun 9:26 Alan Le May - The Searchers 11:00 Bernard Cornwell - Warlord 12:26 Gary Jennings - Aztec 13:50 Matthew Harffy - Killer of Kings 14:32 Peter Carey - The History of The Kelly Gang 15:50 Conn Iggulden - Lion 17:53 James Alexander Thom - Panther in the Sky 18:50 Elodie Harper - The House With The Golden Door 20:35 Joseph M. Marshall - Hundred in the Hand 22:15 Robert Harris - The Cicero Trilogy 23:31 Sebastian Faulks - Birdsong Trilogy 24:15 Kristin Hannah - The Four Winds 25:01 Jeff Shaara - Gods and Generals 26:06 Baptiste Pinson Wu - Yellow Sky Revolt

[@hollyc4624]

Shogun is the first book in a 6 book series. It’s so well written that I found myself flying through it. Same with the Ken Follett historical fiction books.

[@esmayrosalyne]

I LOVE the variety on this list, you guys keep being absolute terrors for my TBR and I don't even mind hahah. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on all of these, they all sound fascinating. Also, thank you so much for keeping in all the side tangents and quibbling, your videos are just top tier entertainment 🤩 Happy reading!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

We love a good quibble😂 Ed

[@mojopie]

My tbr grew so much with this video! I read Birdsong a long time ago and loved it but I'd like to reread it at some point because I think I'd appreciate it even more now that I'm older, I'd also like to read more by Sebastian Faulks.

[@CNavo.TheNextChapter]

Always enjoy your historical fiction recommends guys, whether they would be rereads or brand new for me. Conn Iggulden was one of my first author introductions to historical fiction, yet I haven't read any of the Ancient Athens books yet. Also I keep meaning to read Wolf Hall Trilogy too, I even have the first on my shelf still waiting. Cheers gents!

[@lolanarra]

Great content as always!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks Nicholas! Ed

[@BackInTimeFiction]

Thanks for mentioning Yellow Sky Revolt in this video guys! I hope you'll enjoy it as well as the following ones. And you're right, the Shu characters are the best.

[@vajs6312]

A nice and varied list! I'm in the middle of the 1st Law with "Best Served Cold", but have decided to get back to historical fiction after a long while with Günter Grass' epic classic "The Tin Drum, so I'll be squeezing that one in right after BSC.

[@farhad_s]

Shogun was a huge priority for me this year, almost done with it (been reading it over three months as part of a readalong). The Cicero books are excellent (I've read the first two so far in Allen's readalong), would love to read more from that time period.

[@GaryBoal]

What a list. I've just bought Boudica cause you two keep saying how good it is, so I'm looking forward to starting that later in the year. Hard to beat a good bit of historical fiction.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I reckon you’ll love it Gary! Ed

[@EdwinPutman-io1dl]

Good job. Well done. Fun to watch. Thanks.

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

That was a very varied list. As for historical fiction that i would like to read this year, aside from the Boudica readalong which i do plan to participate in, I'm extremely interested in The New Achilles by Christian Cameron.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Christian Cameron is great. Looking forward to chatting with you about Boudica! Ed

[@nataliethompson5266]

I hope to try one or two by Amy Harmon, who has a really nice prose style, as well as The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I told my dad you recommended Dan Jones and so he’s enjoying one by him

[@markbaker737]

Currently reading The Troy series by David Gemmell, great read so far. Also started a Roman series by Angus Watson. 1st book Age of Iron.

[@djbogz1921]

Excellent trilogy

[@djbogz1921]

Also the Century trilogy by Ken Follett was very good. The first book was amazing. Made me tear up a few times.

[@Hutch.Piper10]

Thanks so much for this great list! What is the great Amanda Scott book that was mentioned?

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Manda Scott - The Boudica Series. Ed

[@Hutch.Piper10]

Thank you!

[@GroundedPho3nix]

Oh man what a throwback. Loved playing dynasty warriors on ps2 back in the day. Gan Ning has always been my favourite. Will have to check out yellow sky revolt!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Gan Ning was a legend! Ed

[@campo870]

Imperium was fantastic. I’m mildly ashamed I got it as a gift when I was 16 it stayed on my shelf 16 years before reading. Just bought Lustrum. Also the influence it had on Richard swan and justice of kings is clearly visible

[@angelaholmes8888]

The four winds is really great definitely one of kristen best books

[@djbogz1921]

Added Boudica to my ever growing list. Sounds awesome. Thanks, guys.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope you love it! Ed

[@Jane-w]

I'm looking forward to joining Will's Boudica readalong starting in March. I'll be heading over to the discord to suggest Ed host a readalong for the True History of the Kelly Gang.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Sounds good to me! Ed

[@djbogz1921]

I'm planning on reading the Knightsbridge books again. And re reading the Sharpe novels. I can recommend Tim Willocks - Tannhauser trilogy. Although he hasn't finished the trilogy yet Great list of books. Very interested in the one written by the Lakota dude.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Heard great things about the Knightsbridge trilogy! I’m looking forward to getting to Sharpe. What is the Tannhauser trilogy about? Ed

[@djbogz1921]

@@thebrothersgwynne I suppose you could call it a swashbuckler during the siege of Malta 1565 with the Ottoman Empire against Christian knights.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

@@djbogz1921 I’m in. Ed

[@djbogz1921]

@@thebrothersgwynne Ha ha enjoy, dude.

[@LucianoDelaney]

Historical I'm intending on reading this year: All the light we cannot see by Anthony doerr (current read) Brooklyn by colm toibin More of the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis World without end by Ken Follett The betrayal by Kate Furnival The pale horseman by Bernard Cornwell (and more in the series) Shuggie bain by Douglas Stuart Between shades of gray by Ruta sepetys The boleyn inheritance by philippa gregory Shogun by James clavell Fingersmith by Sarah waters Hell fire by cj sansom Atonement by Ian mcewan We'll see how I get on!!

[@marya4632]

The Cicero Trilogy is amazing!! My favourite books ever!

[@dandelves]

Reading War & Peace at the moment. Would like to read Wolf Hall too someday

[@flashgordon6510]

Jerusalem by Cecelia Holland is a great historical novel. Glad to see Aztec on the list - one of my favorites!

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

I will start my historical fiction journey with Warlord Chronicles in the next few days and will be moving on to Saxon Stories afterwards. The Last Kingdom is probably my favorite TV show ever and I can’t wait to experience it in written form! Based on all I’ve heard, I’m certain Cornwell will click with me!

[@djbogz1921]

Great series. Its getting a tv show soon here in the uk.

[@jenb9742]

​@@djbogz1921 The Seven Dead King's? Or something like that?

[@djbogz1921]

@@jenb9742 The Warlord Chronicles

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Warlord Chronicles is incredible, I hope you love it! Ed

[@marcobelli6856]

Thank you good recommendations

[@alynam82]

I didn't read Panther in the Sky, but I did read From Sea to Shining Sea by the same author, James Alexander Thom. I thought it was fantastic and made me want to read more of his books. Another of his I just purchased recently was Follow the River

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Even more exciting to get to it now! Ed

[@campo870]

Recommend sword and scimitar by Simon scarrow. Really good stand alone about the great siege of Malta. Also hurry up and read the wars of the roses by conn Iggulden

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I don't know too much about Malta so thank you! I've read book 1 of the Wars of the Roses. Ed

[@Rhand007]

Have you guys considered a follow up video on how the books panned out?

[@AlexDuggan68]

We Appy Few is a great book to read. A hundred year old man tells a young Henry 8th his account of the battle of Agincourt. Its funny and touching, and makes you question the nature of history, truth, and language.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Sounds pretty, thank you for the recommendation! Ed

[@MacScarfield]

I wondered if you fine chaps had/planned to read any books by Alfred Duggan: "The Little Emperors", "Conscience of the King", "Winter Quarters" etc. ? Can recommend checking out "The Templar Trilogy" by Swedish Jan Guillou. Currently enjoying "The Winter King" by Bernard Cornwell!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Haven’t heard of any of those! I’ll pop them on my list 😊 Ed

[@MacScarfield]

​@@thebrothersgwynne "The Little Emperors" follows a Roman Imperial Civil Servant during collapse of the Western Roman Empire navigating several coups and Pretender Emperors. "Conscience of the King" follows the Founding King of Wessex, a Roman-Brytanic of Germanic Heritage joining the Saxons due to a fued within his family, and "Winter Quarters" follows two Gauls joining the Roman Army during the time of the First Triumvirate, before becoming captured at the Battle at Carrhae by the Parthians and sent to Parthia's Eastern Provinces!

[@christianhahn1818]

I finished today my current read and I will start Boudica - Dreaming the Eagle. Hmm, which Booktubers are responsible for that?

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hmmm, some pesky ones I’m sure! Ed

[@lawrencejames8011]

One omission: the Flashman series is more than a match the stuff here. Flashman at the Charge and Flashman in the Great Game are best: witty, intelligent and well researched.

[@perritohiker]

So, No Pillars of the Earth 😭

[@michaeldemarco2415]

They've already read it.

[@hollyc4624]

The sequel (book 4) is releasing this year! I’m thinking about a reread since it’s been years since I’ve read any of them.

[@perritohiker]

@@michaeldemarco2415 I don't recall seeing that. I've recommended the book in past posts and their replies haven't said that they've read it.

[@MonnyArcade]

​@@perritohiker yeah me neither. I love pillars and I don't remember it being mentioned here before?

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I haven’t read it … I’m waiting until I really feel the urge to, I don’t feel drawn to it for some reason! Ed

[@zackattack366]

Audio is a bit rough

[@thebrothersgwynne]

In an empty room at the moment! Ed

[@AReadersJourney]

Well now I have to go buy all of these books lol

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Sorry - not sorry😂 Ed

[@sobersportsman]

Ben Hur.

[@playermartin286]

What if I´m from the city? Do you still want my ears?

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Yeah go on then. Ed

[@jenb9742]

All is fair in love of books 😘 I like Renaissance Italy, though the first time I played Assassin's Creed 2, I didn't care for it. Then I couldn't stop playing it. I looked up Niccolo Rising the first time you mentioned it, Ed, but I couldn't find the audio for it 🥲. I had been trying to remember which historical fiction series I had that was napoleonic except for Sharpe. Thanks, Ed! I haven't gotten to it yet, but I have the audio! Will is choosing the short western? Lonesome Dove will fly by, Will! True Grit has been known to elicit some giggles. And I have the audio for The Searchers. The True History of the Kelly Gang is on audible (looks interesting). I have found an Australian author named Peter FitzSimons that does nonfiction, history & military/war. I have multiple audiobooks of his to get to. The Cicero trilogy is fantastic, in my opinion, boys. I am midway through the final book & I'm already considering what other books by this author I want to get to. I've been feeling like a yapping chihuahua, jumping up and down, in the comments trying to make sure you knew about Shelby Foote, Ed, and you already knew 😂. You might look into Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson, too.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I think I actually tried Nicole Rising on audio but didn’t gel with it. It should be on there! I’m sure one Will has read true grit he’ll be desperate for more! Happy reading! Ed

[@jenb9742]

@The Brothers Gwynne Her other series is on audio, but I couldn't find Niccolo Rising. Maybe it's available on the UK side, not the US? I just Googled it and found it, but when I logged in, it said it wasn't available in my region!

[@MonnyArcade]

Historical I'm intending on reading this year: All the light we cannot see by Anthony doerr (current read) Brooklyn by colm toibin More of the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis World without end by Ken Follett The betrayal by Kate Furnival The pale horseman by Bernard Cornwell (and more in the series) Shuggie bain by Douglas Stuart Between shades of gray by Ruta sepetys The boleyn inheritance by philippa gregory Shogun by James clavell Fingersmith by Sarah waters Hell fire by cj sansom Atonement by Ian mcewan We'll see how I get on!!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Good luck! Ed