Top 10 Historical Fiction Books

[@marygriffiths6818]

I love your list - several books I treasure there and wonderful to see the great Maurice Druon included. My favourite historical fiction writer is Dorothy Dunnett. She has two great series - The Lymond Chronicles and The House of Niccolo. The Lymond series has six books set at the time of Henry 8 and moving on to when Elizabeth takes the throne. They follow years in the life of Lymond in Scotland, France, Malta, Turkey Russia and England. The characters are wonderful and the settings drawn so well you feel you are there. The Niccolo series again follows a man from being a humble apprentice to a great merchant. Again the settings cover many countries and the historical research is impeccable. Happy reading!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I've heard good things about Dorothy Dunnett - I may have to check her out soon. Thanks!

[@dianehouse4021]

I have 5 of the 6 books in the Lymond Chronicles…missing the 3rd. I’m looking forward to starting it soon.

[@katieb2931]

Dorothy Dunnett's King Hearafter about MaCBeth is very worth reading.

[@kaitlynslucher9257]

I just finished pillars of the earth early this month. I agree with you 100%. I’ve been reading historical fiction for years and that book jumped to my favorite of all time. Still thinking about it!

[@RedFuryBooks]

It's so good! The sequels and prequel are worth your time too.

[@wbl5649]

I've considered reading it but heard there is quite a bit of crude sex , and I don't like reading that so I've put off reading it

[@Arven8]

@@wbl5649 "Quite a bit of crude sex"? Really? It's been 7 or 8 years since I read Pillars of the Earth, but I don't remember any sex scenes at all, much less anything crude. If there were, they didn't register in my memory. I really don't think there is "quite a bit of crude sex" in the book. It's just not that kind of book.

[@andrewrussell6806]

Pillars is great, but the series is formulaic.

[@flashgordon6510]

Jerusalem by Cecelia Holland is one of my favorites, along with Aztec by Gary Jennings. I’m just finishing The Warlord Chronicles, and i highly recommend the audiobooks. The narration is amazing. I also totally agree about Pillars of the Earth.

[@lisamarshall5023]

I second AZTEC!!!! That book was sooo good and really made an impression on me. Pillars is one of the best!! It has been so hard to find something that I can get into and could even come close to these two books. My amazing father, who is now in heaven, recommended these two books to me 15 years ago. Boy, did he know a good book!!

[@Miguel_Travels]

I absolutely fell in love with The Winter King in 2007, finishing the series, not thinking that I could find anything better and jumped right into Pillars of the Earth, and it blew my mind. London by Edward Rutherford is another great epic work of historical fiction. I really miss those days and I desperately want to feel that love of reading again. Hopefully The Accursed Kings can light that spark. Thanks for the great video.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope The Accursed Kings works for you! And thanks for checking out the video!

[@daverehorst2897]

You might want to try James Michener, have not read all of his but really enjoyed Tales of the South Pacific, Hawaii and The Source

[@RedFuryBooks]

Michener is definitely on the list. Since I live in Texas, I'll probably start with that one. But I've heard good things - I know Brian Lee Durfee raves about him.

[@alynam82]

Michener is fantastic! I've only read a handful myself, but I loved each one -- Texas, Chesapeake, Centennial and The Novel

[@andrewrussell6806]

Tales of the South Pacific is unfortunately not available on audio or Kindle. Centennial, Hawaii, and The Source are my favorite Micheners. The Covenant and Poland are also excellent.

[@wendybyle]

Hawaii was wonderful!

[@cathycrandall5264]

My Dad always talked about Michener’s books but I have not read any yet, I need to try some of his works📚

[@francoisbouchart4050]

Josh, Great list. Having read many of the books on your list, I concur with your selection. If you want another take on the Legend of King Arthur, I would recommend Lancelot by Giles Kristian. I am currently reading The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker; a book that will challenge your views of the heroic warrior and war in general. Love your channel and the way you talk about books 🙏

[@angelaholmes8888]

I did enjoy the silence of the girls

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you! Lancelot is definitely on my radar - I do love Arthur retellings. I'm adding The Silence of the Girls to the TBR - thanks for the recommendation and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kvom01]

My recs: 'Vanity Fair', 'Forsyte Saga', anything by Henryk Sienkiewicz, 'Baroque Cycle' by Neal Stephenson, 'Ben Hur' and "The Prince of India' by Lew Wallace. 'I Claudius'. And for long satisfying reading, both of the series by Dorothy Dunnett.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Baroque Cycle is on the shelf to start later this year!

[@garyb2392]

Wow! I’ve only read Shogun, Lonesome Dove and Grapes of Wrath on your list! Thanks for sharing ! I’ll read (the rest of) your list this year !

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy them all as much as I have!

[@SkippyTheRedKangaroo]

If you haven't read Gone With The Wind then do yourself a favour. It is spectacular and easily with the top 20 books ever written. Edit: I wrote this comment before i saw No.1 on this list. I wholeheartedly agree with the No.1. I've read it at least 3 times and it is legendary.

[@loriwald9532]

100% yes! A must read.

[@sandraelder1101]

Thank you for the GwtW plug. I promised someone I’d read it and need to get interested. I bought a copy at least. 😁

[@wendybyle]

Loved it! I read it when I was 16 years old and again as an adult. Now I’d love to listen to the book!

[@adamwee382]

My favorite historical novel is "The land beyond the sea" by Sharon Kay Penman. It's set during the 12th century in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem during the reign of the boy King Baldwin IV who suffered from leprosy which caused a factional dispute surrounding his inevitable succession during the raise of the Muslim Ayyubid Dynasty under Saladin. I won't spoil anything, but I will say that it ends roughly where another great book of hers starts called Lionheart, about King Richard of England. The Land Beyond The Sea covers the lead up to the third Crusade and Lionheart is set in the Third Crusade. The Land Beyond the Sea was the final book she wrote before she died, and I think it's her best work. So I really hope some of you decide to give it a read, she was a very special lady and put a great deal of effort into historical research for her books and it really shows.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Penman has been on my radar for some time, due to some viewer comments. Hopefully soon as the settings sound right up my alley!

[@katieb2931]

Her books are very well researched.

[@debbiemurphy4971]

Historical fiction is my favorite genre and your taste in this wonderful genre matches mine. GWTW is my second favorite book of all time, and Grapes of Wrath is my third (To Kill a Mockingbird is first). I recommend the Outlander series to HF lovers (I understand your reticence to continue on with that series lol), but I also really like Margaret George’s Henry VIII Biography As Told By His Fool, Will Summers, her Mary Queen of Scots, s as bd also her Elizabeth I. Ms. George has written several historical fiction books that are very well researched and very well written. Because of the time she puts into a novel, she only publishes one approximately every 5 years. Also, Sharon Kay Penman’s The Sunne in Splendor (about Richard III) is very good. Hilary Mantel’s books are excellent as well. (Whew, that was a lot). Great video, Josh!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, Debbie! The Sunne in Splendor is one that's already on the TBR but I'm writing down Hilary Mantel as well as I've heard good things. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the recommendations!

[@NikhilKoparkarmusic]

You’re fast becoming one of my favorite channels, along with Mikes Book Reviews. Thanks for the great videos!!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks so much - this made my day!

[@kazang856]

I loved your list. 7 were on my list of all time. I am going to download The Terror today.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy The Terror!

[@thelibraryladder]

Great list, Josh! It includes many of my favorites. If I can suggest a few more authors, I think you might enjoy Patrick O’Brian, C.S. Forester, Steven Pressfield, and Alexandre Dumas. Also, C.J. Samson, Lindsay Davis and Ellis Peters do historical mysteries very well. And great historical fiction with a tinge of SFF includes Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle, S.M. Stirling’s Nantucket trilogy, and Connie Willis’ Oxford time travel series.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you, Bridger! Jotting down all these author names to explore - thanks!

[@thelibraryladder]

@@RedFuryBooks I just noticed that my phone's autocorrect messed up one of the author names. It should be C.J. Sansom. Also, be sure to read modern translations of Dumas (after ~1940). They're a lot better than the earlier translations in the public domain now (which are what many of the low-cost editions sold today use).

[@alynam82]

C.J. Sansom is a good one, I read Dissolution recently, and loved it. It's set in a time period I never really knew much about, prior -- Henry VIII and Cromwell

[@RedFuryBooks]

@@thelibraryladder Got it! I do have The Three Musketeers on the shelf - not sure the translation, but it IS an Easton Press edition, so I would hope it's a good translation!

[@thelibraryladder]

@@RedFuryBooks The Easton Press edition sounds promising. My favorite Dumas is The Count of Monte Cristo, and nearly all of his works are highly readable with a good translator. (The same goes for authors such as Dostoevsky and Jules Verne.) Penguin Classics editions are among the best because they enlist the services of very good translators for foreign works. In contrast, avoid the Barnes & Noble Classics editions of translated works because they frequently use the oldest translations available (which are often in the public domain and bowdlerized if they date back to the 1800s).

[@shirleylandis3095]

Pillars of the Earth, the only book I've read more than once. The second time thru I was so disappointed that it ended, I immediately read it thru again

[@RedFuryBooks]

That's awesome!

[@alynam82]

Yea, this really is a fantastic list! I loved The Terror, as Dan Simmons is one of my top 3 favorite writers. Pillars of the Earth is THE DEFINITION of the word 'epic', and I gotta say that World Without End (for me) followed closely behind. I enjoyed each book in the Kingsbridge series, even the prequel was good, and I cannot wait to read the new one coming out in September! Killer Angels was fantastic, and kicked off my love for the rest of the Shaara trilogy. I live about 2hr from Gettysburg and go there about once a year. I've started to build a collection of Jeff Shaara's other works, and can't wait to read them. I got his newest book, Old Lion (came out last week, and I got autographed 😀) and planning that as my next read.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I loved all the Kingsbridge novels - Pillars at the top but World Without End and the prequel honestly not that far off. I'm definitely excited for the new one! I'll definitely be picking up Jeff Shaara's works too; if he's anything like his father, I'll definitely enjoy them.

[@thefantasythinker]

I enjoyed The Name of the Rose a long time ago when I read it for a class. Oddly enough, I've read a ton of non-fiction history but no historical fiction so this is a good list for me to delve into that genre. Thanks!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad to help! I feel like I've only scratched the surface with this genre, but have read some really great ones.

[@delza9137]

Pillar of the Heart is as my favorite work of historical fiction too! I just watched about 5 other video on best historical fiction books and you were the only one to mention it! I want everyone to know about this book.

[@RedFuryBooks]

It's a fantastic book! Glad you love it too!

[@veronicagarcia2025]

Great books! I'd read most of them (except Winter king and the accursed Kings). After i read the killer Angels, i bought a blaze of Glory and a chain of thunder, i can't wait to read them. These next books are ones of my favorites. 1) Gates of fire by Steven Pressfield (a tale of Battle of Thermopylae). 2) The war of the end the world Mario Vargas Llosa (a fictional tale of war of Canudos in the 19th Century Brazil). 3) i already mention it (but i think you would like it) Top of the world by Hans Ruesch (about the ways of live of North people). As always great video❤

[@RedFuryBooks]

Gates of Fire is already a "hopefully soon" book as I've heard tremendous things about it. I'm writing down the other two as well - thanks!

[@binglamb2176]

You are preaching to the converted as many of these are my favourites as well. Bernard Cornwell appears in my list for the Sharpe series. Love those. I have never heard of the Maurice Druon books so thanks for mentioning them. I'll be on the lookout for this series.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy the Druon books.

[@bigaldoesbooktube1097]

Wow what a list 💪 I am fast growing to love this genre above all else. I am loving Tai-Pan currently. The book I would recommend everyone in this genre is War and Peace 👌 but for you Josh I would have to say Sharpe’s Tiger as I think you’d love reading Sharpe.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you're loving Tai-Pan! I'll be on Allen's channel in a couple of weeks talking about that one. I did enjoy War and Peace - not as much as Anna Karenina, but did like it.

[@dheeraj5564]

I just want to say, this is such a great video. You strike such a great balance between not giving away too much about a book, while still selling its appeal. Pillars of the Earth is of a size, and has a premise, that would have kept me from ever trying it. But I have now purchased the book based off your praise, and am very excited to get started on it!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks so much - I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you love Pillars of the Earth!

[@ttowntrekker5174]

Great list and almost identical to my favorites. I read Killer Angel's and Lonesome Dove when they were first released and have been hooked on HF since. I distinctly remember putting Lonesome Dove in my drawer at work and opening my drawer to read during down times. Of course if someone walked in I'd look l Iike I was looking for a paperclip! LOL! What we do! I'll have to check out Terror by Dan Simmons. I consider that Historical Fantasy and see more and more books written around that genre.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Haha - I need to try that desk drawer trick! The Terror is great - it's kind of a genre-bender, but I do feel like it's more historical fiction than anything else. It being Dan Simmons, it's extremely well told.

[@ttowntrekker5174]

@@RedFuryBooks I'm definitely going to read it. I love your channel. And not only because our reading tastes are near identical but because your vids are so professionally down. Your use of background music is perfect, loud enough for emphasis but it in no way competes with your voice. That's rare on KZbin.

[@RedFuryBooks]

@@ttowntrekker5174 thanks so much! I find music distracting in videos (as I tend listen to the music more than the voice) so I'm pretty sensitive to that. Thanks for noticing! :)

[@brianrogers4344]

Great list! While probably not marketed as historical fiction, I loved Small Mercies, the new book out by Dennis Lehane. It's a crime mystery/thriller that takes place in the 70s in south Boston when public school busing started. I also love The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay, which is not actually historical fiction but rather a low fantasy taking place in place intended to be very reminiscent of medieval Spain. And of course there is War and Peace, which was historical fiction even when originally published.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Good to know about Small Mercies! I love Lehane and look forward to getting to that one. I'll also be reading The Lions of al-Rassan this year - probably this summer. I've been itching to start GGK.

[@SD9xcp311x]

GG Kay did a two book sequence around a fictional Byzantium! Incredible read!

[@tyrson4331]

Such a good list. The Accursed Kings is my absolutely favourite

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes! It's a far underrated book series.

[@kvom01]

One of my all-time favorites that I haven't seen mentioned on booktube is "The Long Ships" by Frans G. Bengtsson.

[@stacyarmstrong8275]

This is probably the best top 10 historical fiction lists I've seen. The Grapes of Wrath, Gone With the Wind, Lonesome Dove and Pillars of the Earth would be on my list, also. I haven't read the others, but am excited to check them out.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you!

[@sandraelder1101]

I have little interest in reading Gone with the Wind, but I promised a friend it’ll be my first read after I retire. I have three more yrs to gear up. So, thanks for the sales pitch. 😁 In the meantime, Killer Angels! It’s been on my list since falling in love with the movie. 📚

[@RedFuryBooks]

I didn't realize there was a Killer Angels movie!

[@sandraelder1101]

@@RedFuryBooks Gettysburg starring Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain, Martin Sheen as Lee, and a host of other top actors.

[@meggy8868]

Agree with Lonesome Dove. Didn't care for Pillars. Hmmm. I recommend Katherine by Anya Seaton. Katherine is the sister-in-law of Chaucer, the lover of John of Gaunt and the ancestress of the Tudors. Absolutely agree about Shogun. Also recommend The Haj by Leon Uris. Complete and fair immersion into the Jewish Arab conflict set during the ' 48 war

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

What an awesome list!! I've read a few of those, own a few others and now have a few others to add to my list. I'll be rereading Gone with the Wind in July and I'm so excited to reread it! I last read it as a young teenager. I don't have any others to rec to you yet. I did buy another if Umberto's books to try also.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Someone else had mentioned another Eco book - Foucalt's Pendulum I think. I hope you love the reread of Gone with the Wind. I found it such an immersive read.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Incredible list here, Josh! Lots here I adore, also lots that I haven't read yet! This is just more motivation to read some Ken Follett. Ed

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, Ed! Definitely read some Follett!

[@avrorawhite9763]

wow, I loved the Accursed Kings (all 7 books), so glad someone is talking about them. Warlord chronicles for me is the best story about king Arthur and his times, loved it so much too!! Also loved Cornwell's Saxon Stories, they are so funny to read. And I'm definitely reading Terror after this video

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy The Terror! And always glad to meet another fan of The Accursed Kings. That series flies under the radar.

[@72mje]

Great list! I added Druon to the TBR. Have you read The Crusades Trilogy by Jan Guillou? It takes on the crusades from a Swedish perspective and while it's been a good few minutes since I read it, I remember really enjoying the series. /Minna

[@RedFuryBooks]

Minna, I'm writing those ones down! Thanks!

[@angelaroberts-757]

Great List! A couple of these i havent read are going on my TBR, The Name of the Rose and Killer Angels. You may want to try the Boudica novels by Manda Scott based on your love for The Winter King. They are great. I loved The Winter King!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you love them! I'm definitely interested in the Boudica novels after hearing Ed Gwynne rave about them.

[@darthandy6161]

Great list. Shogun, Lonesome Dove, and Pillars of the Earth are all on my TBR. My favorites are The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr. Much better than the tv show, they are psychological crime novels set in late 19th century New York. Gripping and really cool how they piece together the psychological profiles. Since I know you enjoy crime fiction I’ll also make that my recommendation for you.

[@sasapejcin3568]

I love historical crime thrillers especially set in middle ages up to 18 century!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I tried The Alienist on audio and it didn't work for me, but I'll have to try it physically. Those style of books definitely appeal to me. Thanks!

[@marsrock316]

My top recommendation in historical fiction is always the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. I read them out of order initially depending on which volume I could get at the time; am currently rereading the series in order of publication and appreciating how much development we see in these two main characters. Very enjoyable series on many levels. Someone else in comments said that the Hornblower series was the best depiction of the Napoleonic wars and the early 19th century British navy. I would call and raise that assertion with the O'Brian series.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I definitely need to get to those books- so much universal praise!

[@SD9xcp311x]

Aubrey/Maturin.. THE GREATEST!

[@johnbittel3772]

A tremendous series! The quality of the writing is so good that I didn’t get very far with “Pillars of the Earth” before I put it down because it’s writing isn’t anywhere as good in quality.

[@sandraelder1101]

I really liked: Sacajawea by Waldo, The Power and the Glory by Greene, Joan of Arc by Twain, Poor Banished Children by Fiorela di María, The Last Crusader by de Wohl, Reunion by Uhlmann, Buffalo Soldiers by Willard, Children’s Blizzard by Benjamin, and Bartolomé de las Casas by Olaizola. Remains of the Day was wonderful, and I think it may count as HF.

[@davidperkins4134]

One of my favorite authors is Sharon Kaye Penman. My recommendations would “When Christ and his Saints Slept” set during The Anarchy period in England and the Welsh trilogy starting with “Here Be Dragons”. Now I’m off to check out “The Accursed Kings”.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I already had the welsh trilogy on my TBR, but I'll add the other - thank you!

[@suelayman1371]

What a fantastic list, I love how you present each book. Great summaries, and vivid explanations!!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Habsolutely]

great list. Ill have to find some of these. For me Id have to include Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (rip), The Thin Red Line by James Jones and also For Whom The Bell Tolls by Hemingway.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy them. RIP Cormac McCarthy indeed. I definitely need to get to Blood Meridian.

[@jnevingill3122]

Winds of War and War and Remembrance

[@RedFuryBooks]

Both on the to be read list!

[@andrewrussell6806]

Love to see a video on these two books.

[@wendybyle]

Winds of War was great.

[@cathycrandall5264]

I just read both of those over the summer! It felt like living through the entire time😮

[@PersonallyOptimistic]

Watching your countdown go past Lonesome Dove, Shogun, Warlord Chronicles... I couldn't think what could top those. Think I'll have to dive into The Pillars of the Earth soon then!

[@RedFuryBooks]

It's fantastic - I hope you love it as much as I did!

[@dragonvliss2426]

I feel that the Horacio Hornblower novels should be included -- they are one of my favorite series, and one I can read over and over again, as well as watch in movies. The best version of the British navy in the Age of Sail that I know.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'll have to check those out!

[@meggy8868]

One summer I started tbe Hornblower series. From page one I couldn't put them down and searched for more. I was going to to exit my entry to include them but found you instead. Much better than Master and Commander, couldn't get into that

[@dougsundseth2303]

@@meggy8868 I think the history is better in the Aubrey/Maturin series, but the adventure is better in Hornblower. I'm not sure which I like better. (And both are loosely based on the life of Adm. Thomas Cochrane, RN.)

[@SD9xcp311x]

The BBC movies are crap like they did with Sharpe... Tried watching them but they do not have the power and thought of the books, which I have avidly read!

[@stargater2892]

I am now officially on hold at the library for The Terror because a man on KZbin made it sound good, albeit the same man hyped GWTW. I don't think I will ever understand the GWTW band wagon. I'm also going to try Lonesome Dove. I liked your presentation, new sub here.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for stopping by as well as the nice comment. I hope you love both of those books!

[@lockdowntechie3122]

I will be starting Pillars of the Earth tomorrow and I recommend A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini(Its my favorite historical fiction book).

[@RedFuryBooks]

Oh I hope you love Pillars!

[@bobbywheeler4810]

This is my first video of yours but you might check out the Outlander Series. The historical nature of this series is friggin PHENOMINAL!!! There is a show based on it on the Starz Chanel. The show is very good but, as usual, the books are just so much better.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I read the first one but haven't gone back to that series yet. But will at some point for sure.

[@leahandchad9882]

Thank you for this awesome list. I’m curious to know if you have read anything by Edward Rutherfurd? I read The Forest and loved it. He has also written London and Sarum.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you enjoyed the list. I have not heard of Edward Rutherfurd!

[@cathycrandall5264]

I read New York last year and it was great!👍

[@kimberlyhanson965]

I really enjoyed your video. I added several to my TBR. I look forward to listening/reading them. I can't wait to read Lonesome Dove. I had forgotten about it. I have to agree that Pillars of the Earth is one of my all time favorite reads. I'm surprised that it doesn't show up on more book tube historic fiction lists. You might enjoy Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock. They're beautifully written. The setting is a monestary/abbey. I'm due to a reread of them.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate the recommendation!

[@Dustin36299]

Thank you for an entertaining and informative video. I've been looking for historical fiction that doesn't focus on romance, and you've provided just what I needed.Liked, subscribed, and followed on Goodreads!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome - glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for hanging out!

[@jorgemedina8083]

This video makes me want to read the warlord chronicles. Thanks for the video.🎉🎉🎉 I would recommend East of Eden by John Steinbeck. So good.

[@RedFuryBooks]

East of Eden is a favorite! It will definitely be on another top 10 video... or two... stay tuned! :)

[@jorgemedina8083]

@@RedFuryBooks I love East of Eden

[@Arven8]

Hey, I didn't know Bill Burr had a Booktube channel. (I'm guessing you've heard that one before.) Thanks very much for this list and your thoughts. I am trying to read more historical fiction, so your input helps. I loved Pillars of the Earth and was happy to see it was your #1 pick. I haven't read any other Follett besides that, but I probably should. I loved Lonesome Dove, too. Thanks again for the suggestions.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad to help with the recommendations! Follett's World Without End is the follow up to Pillars and is pretty great too.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Considering I’ve absolutely loved the two on here I’ve read (Killer Angels and Warlord) I really need to try some more of them-loved the vid!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, my friend, I hope if you pick some up you love them as I do!

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Great picks !

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks!

[@geauxreadbooks]

So many on here that I need to get to. I’m having a great time with Warlord Chronicles! 😊

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! That's such a remarkable series.

[@loganwillis5367]

Cool video man I’m reading lonesome dove right now. Dostoyevsky is cool for historical Russia

[@jerrybost4442]

I would highly recommend The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott. The Greenlanders by Jane Smiley. Hearts of the West by Greg Matheson.

[@sterlingreads547]

Fantastic list! I’m excited for the next book in The Kingsbridge series. 😊 Have you read Fall of the Giants?

[@RedFuryBooks]

Not yet! I do want to read those books though.

[@shawn4white]

Hey man great video! Coming from the fantasy genre I haven’t read a ton of historical fiction but Cornwell and iggulden are on my tbr Have you read any Greek/norse mythology series? Achilles, Troy Or Julius Ceasar, Alexander the Great, Genghis khan, Thanks!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I've read about a dozen by Cornwell - he's amazing. I've only read the first Genghis Khan book by Iggulden but definitely will read more!

[@Mement0o]

Forget about the romance, Gone with the Wind shows clearly how being self-centered ruins your life. It shows how having one benefitial quality that helps you in one way can harm you in others. It is the most perfect representation of what it is to be human, on top of being an amazing historical novel that makes you feel like you are living in those times. I hate what marketing has to do to masterpieces like Gone with the Wind to be able to fool superficial people to buy them. It is absolute gold but they have to market it as just another trash romance. People are addicted to degradation, god forbid you actually become a better person by reading something genuine and genius.

[@RedFuryBooks]

This is a fantastic summation of Gone With the Wind! You are so correct about the marketing, and this is a masterpiece that I felt immersed from the start to finish.

[@5610winston]

Check out Owen Wister's _The Virginian_ Perhaps not historical fiction , but a series of loosely related stories stitched into a sprawling account of life in the Medicine Bow area of Wyoming in the late 1800s, many of the stories critiqued by Wister's friend, Theodore Roosevelt. I have also recently gotten into Louis L'Amour's "Sackett" novels.

[@SummerDream3r]

What do you think of Colleen McCullough's "Masters of Rome" series ? :)

[@RedFuryBooks]

Definitely on the TBR! I've heard great things.

[@SummerDream3r]

@@RedFuryBooks nice! :)

[@mikulasdug6306]

Best history books ever.

[@tylerb.-hq7fq]

I'm waiting for Pillars of the Earth to arrive in mail today. I'd recommend any of Gore Vidal's The American Chronicle Series, starting with Burr. Vidal is both a great historian and writer. Check it out, it's awesome. Each book can be read alone. I think I've read them all at least once. Tyler

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you! I had forgotten about Gore Vidal until you mentioned him.

[@dab505279]

Tyler, I read Burr probably 40 or more years ago. However, I distinctly remember that it was excellent.

[@tylerb.-hq7fq]

I read Burr a few years ago, not that long but maybe 10 or 15 years ago. It is my favorite of all of the series. Like the best series out there you can read one book, and it is self-contained. Each book is a standalone but does connect through one family that is fictitious. If you are a history buff, Like Vidal, these books are full of it.

[@lawrencejames8011]

Macdonald Fraser's Flashman series, particularly 'Flashman at the Charge' and 'Flashman in the Great Game', outshine most of those listed here, so does Alfred Duggan's 'Conscience of the King'.

[@SD9xcp311x]

FLASHMAN!!!! YES!!!!!

[@JamesI88]

Aside from the accursed kings, all these are books I have read and enjoyed, or own and plan to read soon. I'd suggest gods and generals and the last full measure, both of which I enjoyed a lot. Gods and generals especially has some great character work, the conflicted feelings on display as the war slowly becomes real was well done.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'll definitely be reading Jeff Shaara's books as well. Thanks!

[@bosquedetinta]

Great recommendations! Thanks. Now I have to check them all. I could also recommend Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones and the Boudica Warrior Queen series by Manda Scott.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I really want to read Boudica as I've heard the Brothers Gwynne rave about that series!

[@jelkel25]

Never read a bad historical fiction book by Manda Scott, always very good.

[@khod3337]

Great list really need to get around to reading some follet I also was obsessed with the warlord chronicles everytime I can't think of what to read I almost restart the series 😂 really interested in the accursed kings still on my tbr from the last time you mentioned it

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! If you get to The Accursed Kings, I hope you enjoy it!

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

Thank you for the recommendations. I've read a few of them, and there are some others that I must read. Read Lonesome Dove last year and would put it above Pillars of the Earth, which is also great, but top of my list would be Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. It may not be up your street as the plot is more romance/family saga, but for transporting you to another time and place it has no equal. Plenty of reviews of it on KZbin and elsewhere. Must check out Maurice Druon, who I'd not heard of before.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you love Maurice Druon!

[@margretenglesson5834]

I'd argue that Kristin Lavransdatter is definitely less romance than a family saga in the mold of The Saga of the People of Laxardal, and Kristin could easily have echoed the famous words of Gudrun Osvifsdatter: I was worst to him I loved best. There's also Sigrid Undser's Master of Hestviken tetralogy, which she herself rated even higher than Kristin Lavransdatter

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

@@margretenglesson5834 Yes, I've read Master of Hestviken, which is good, but not quite as good as Kristin imho. I've also tried one of Undset's modern novels, but didn't like it.

[@margretenglesson5834]

@@tarquinmidwinter2056 Are you familiar with Zoe Oldenbourg's novels-- The Heirs of the Kingdom, The World Is Not Enough, The Cornerstone, Destiny of Fire and Cities of the Flesh? I'd argue that she does for 12th and 13th century France and Langued'oc what Undset does for medieval Norway.

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

@@margretenglesson5834 Never heard of her. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@Abuamina001]

In a similar vein I can recommend the books "Hadji Murat" by Leo Tolstoy, "Death and the Dervish" by Mese Selimovic, and “My Name is Red” by Orhan Pamuk.

[@wilfamos7314]

Brilliant list. Read several on the list, awesome books. Recommendations? Recently read and enjoyed Joan by Katherine Chen, brilliant. CJ Sansom's Dissolution was great. Currently reading Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. On page 160, and so far I would classify it as a great read. Oh, and this year read Essex Dogs by Dan Jones. Oh my, what an excellent trip to France in 1300 that was, highly recommended. Historical fiction is my favourite genre by far.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for the recommendations! Essex Dogs is high on the list already.

[@bstephens44]

Good recommendations. I would add I Claudius/Claudius the God by Robert Graves; Robert Harris’ Cicero trilogy; and Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you!

[@DWS205]

Thomas Pynchon’s Mason and Dixon is my favorite

[@karengustafson7666]

The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer is terrific and follows William the Conqueror from birth through the assault and conquering of England in 1066. It is historically accurate with some fictional characters. She also wrote An Infamous Army featuring the battle at Waterloo.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you! I'm writing this down.

[@VeronicaSanchez-nn4de]

The Pillars of the earth is my favorite Book of all times 🎉, I like your list a lot. I had Excalibur on my hands today at the library but I recalled that it is # 3 on Cornwell’s trilogy. I have to wait until the first one is available. Instead I had taken Never from Ken Follett, I can always read something from him. My recommendation, try something from Ildefonso Falcones, his most famous book is The Cathedral of the sea (Middle Ages in Barcelona Spain)but my favorite from the author is The Hand of Fatima ( eviction of the Moors from 16th century Spain)! 😊

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you for the recommendations! Those setting sound like things I'll like to read.

[@5610winston]

How could you have overlooked Robert Graves and his _I, Claudius_ and _Claudius the God_ ? Claudius was the most unlikely emperor in European history, considered to be an imbecile for much of his life, but he survived the terrors of the reigns of Tiberius and Caligula, the assassinations of most of his family and friends (many dispatched on orders from his grandmother Livia --- "It is said she was once bitten by a snake, and the snake died"---) _I, Claudius_ chronicles the life of this interesting character up 'til the death of Caligula, and _Claudius the God_ documents his achievements and failures as Emperor. If you have not read these, find a copy of each and spend some quality time. The 13-part BBC video adaptation is also available on KZbin, with Derek Jacobi as the stammering and crippled Claudius, Brian Blessed as Augustus, and young Patrick Stewart as a thoroughly despicable Sejanus, no shortage of talent through the entire series!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Adding them to the list - thanks! And that miniseries looks great too, I'll have to remember to watch that afterward!

[@meggy8868]

Oh my yes! My girlfriend and I read them at the same time and we would dream about Claudius and the next day discuss the book and our dream series

[@carolinesmercantile4290]

I read Gone With the Wind as a teen BECAUSE it was that romance that died in the end, and because I loved the epic movie and wanted to read it. Because I had lived in Virginia, I had learned about the Old South vs. New South in history classes. I was NOT prepared for so much insight into this subjectmatter when I read the novel. I was MORE appreciative to learn how the Old South actually was pre-war...so naive and trusting... and how the Civil War changed all of that. Many of the customs that the old south held dear were gone in a puff of canon smoke once the war ended. This book, to me, was more historical/personal growth focus rather than a romance.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I definitely learned more about Reconstruction in Gone with the Wind than anywhere else.

[@richardlock1631]

It may be a little obvious and someone may have already mentioned them below, but the CJ Samsum Matthew Shardlake books are probably the finest of the Tudor/Elizabethan historical mystery series that are out there. Shardlake is a well written character, a junior lawyer and hunchback, which gives the character some additional obstacles to negotiate, the period is brought to life well and the weave of fiction and history is superb. The last couple of books feel a little stretched out, which some people quite like, but the earlier ones are very well balanced and tautly written.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes - those ones are on the radar as I've heard many good things. Thanks for chiming in!

[@andrewrussell6806]

My Top 15 Historical Fiction 1. The Winds of War (2) 2. Lonesome Dove 3. Shogun 4. Centennial 5. Exodus 6. The Caine Mutiny 7. The First Man in Rome (7) 8. The Journeyer 9. The Source 10. Musashi 11. Hawaii 12. East of Eden 13. The Killer Angels 14. The Year of the French 15. Gone With the Wind 16. Lincoln (Vidal)

[@RedFuryBooks]

Most of these are on my to be read list, but I'll be looking up the others - thanks!

[@patriciabradford4067]

Herman Wouk - all his works are just amazing.

[@elijah8867]

My personal favorite is True Grit by Charles Portis. Quite a tale of revenge with a 14 year old girl as the heroine.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes, I really need to read that one!

[@pauloconnor7392]

Great reviews I have u read flashman by George macdolad frasier or Roger brook series by dennis wheatley

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I haven't read any of those.

[@pauloconnor7392]

Please just try flashman look it up he anyhow 12 books in total

[@SD9xcp311x]

@@pauloconnor7392 Flashman is the anti-Sharpe and GREAT!

[@Danny_Matson]

Pillars of the EARTH!! I whole-heartedly agree. I've just started a book called Pachinko right now. Have you heard of it? Seems like it will be good.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I've heard of Pachinko - somewhat new I think? - but haven't heard anyone talk about it. Let me know if its something you think I'll enjoy!

[@dianehouse4021]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, also about the building of a cathedral in the 12th Century. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier, extraordinary tale of a soldier’s perilous journey back to his beloved at the end of the Civil War . The Power of One, Bryce Courtenay, set 1939 South Africa. The Book Thief, set in 1939 Nazi Germany. And Lonesome Dove… my top 5 historical fiction.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Great list! I overlooked The Book Thief - that's a great one I haven't thought of in awhile.

[@elderhiker7787]

Oliver Wiswell by Kenneth Robert’s is a magnificent tale about the American Revolution told from the side of a Tory loyalist. I read this as a sophomore in high school and it opened my eyes to the notion that there are two sides to every story and history is told by the winners. Kenneth Robert’s is an excellent historical fiction writer and this is my recommendation to you. Ciao

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm writing these down - thank you!

[@DuckRon626]

I’m in the middle The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. While I do want to read the series about King Arthur, it’s kind of hard for me to imagine it being a better series than The Saxon Stories.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I haven't read the Saxon Stories yet, but definitely will. But of the people I know that have read both, all of them prefer the Warlord Chronicles, so I hope you enjoy that series as well!

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

I *LOVE* The Terror!!! Such an amazing book, one I couldn't put down! And The Accursed Kings--such a great series! I had to check, but it looks like I read all of those first six. I'll follow your tip and not read the seventh! One recommendation: you might enjoy "The Warwolf: A Peasant Chronicle of the Thirty Years War" by Hermann Lons. It's the story of a German farmer and his community facing the brutality and awfulness of the Thirty Years War, and how they learn to take up arms and defend themselves in a rugged wilderness environment. Very short, compulsively readable, probably something you could finish in a night or two.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm writing down The Warwolf - that sounds amazing. Thank you!

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

@@RedFuryBooks absolutely, my friend, hope you enjoy it!

[@mattlien5844]

As an avid reader of westerns I never warmed to Lonesome Dove. Perhaps because it is historical fiction rather than genre western. Maybe it's because I saw the tv series first and thought that was better. My favorite historical fiction western is The Bloody Season by Loren Estleman. His telling of the Earp saga. Another I cannot recommend highly enough is The Last Viking trilogy by Poul Anderson. The story of Harald Hardrada. From Norway to Kiev to Constantinople and finally to his death in England.

[@RedFuryBooks]

That's an interesting take. Lonesome Dove probably does transcend genre quite a bit, but as a reader that hasn't read much in that genre, I obviously really loved it. Thanks for the other recommendations, going to Google them now....:)

[@arselanehadjslimane2582]

You should try out Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel and Master and Commander by Patrick O'brian. Actually I think youre really gonna love the opening scene of Master and Commander.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you!

[@Canoe64]

You would probably enjoy The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte (A Dream of Eagles in Canada). He also tells the tale of Camelot told in a historical sense, as if King Author had actually existed. It is told on a background of historical events, actual locations and historical characters. The story begins with The Skystone about 4 or 5 generations before the birth of Author who doesn't appear until the fourth book as a baby. Only the main characters are fictional and used to tell the story. Ironically I only found this series after recently discovering fantasy. I had no idea Roman history in Britain and Britain's entry into the dark ages could be this interesting. It is now my favourite historical fiction book/series bumping Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy) by Ken Follett to second place, Pillars of the Earth (The Kingsbridge Novels) to third and Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel to fourth. Of course there is also War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky which is in a class of its own. **Just happens that this edition is on a Kindle sale today for $1.99. Just bought it although I have the book 🙂

[@RedFuryBooks]

Several people have told me about the Jack Whyte books, so they are firmly on the TBR to read at some point. I'm also a HUGE fan of Pavear and Volokhonsky translations- they are my go-to for everything Russian. I read War and Peace about year and a half ago - their translation of course!

[@Reece2Town]

Would highly recommend Blood Meridian if you enjoy dark westerns. It’s not for the faint of heart but it is absolutely phenomenal.

[@RedFuryBooks]

McCarthy has been hit and miss for me, but Blood Meridian is definitely one I want to read.

[@lisettefonder1566]

Cornwall’s series on the development of England

[@DuckRon626]

Yes! The Saxon Stories! That’s what I’m talking about…

[@ba-gg6jo]

Shardlake series, set in Tudor times and follows the cases of a solicitor and the intrigues of the court of Henry V111.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Sounds awesome - I'm writing it down.

[@phylwin]

Definitely on my list. Great series. C.J. Sansom died last month so there will be no more.

[@ev3261]

Great list, thank you! I read the first book in Droun's series (was able to take all 7 books from the locals library's surplus), and it was excellent! I plan to read all 7 this year (but noted your warning about the 7th one, thanks :-)). I read "Pillars of the earth" many years ago and loved it, Ken Follett is a great writer. I read is newest novel this year, and found it to be as gripping as usual. The premise is very different, it's about the possibility of the world today to go into a nuclear war, and I have to admit, I was SCARED! I assume you will be reading all of Clavell's Asia saga, so no need to recommend "King Rat" to you, but it is very different from the other books and I love it. I have 2 recommendations for historical fiction: 1. The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman. This is about Richard III, and I was shocked to learn that what was done to him in history, partly by Shakespeare, and to stand corrected. 2. I, Claudius by Robert Graves. Best book about Ancient Rome I ever read.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Oh great, I hope you enjoy The Accursed Kings! Follett is fantastic - such a great plotter that all his works are just so gripping. I'm definitely looking forward to King Rat. As for The Sunne in Splendor and I, Claudius, I just had two other commentors recommend those too! I'll definitely need to pick those up!

[@dougsundseth2303]

Here are ten, not necessarily the ten that I would choose if I were given infinite time, and in no particular order. Also, some of these are series for which I can't choose a best book. But there you go. Patrick O'Brien - Aubrey/Maturin: Occasionally a bit dry, this is the best look at life in the Napoleonic British Navy that's ever been written. It's loosely based on the remarkable life of Thomas Cochrane, who rose to the rank of Admiral of the Blue during the Napoleonic Wars. CS Forester - Hornblower: Also based on Cochrane's life, the history here isn't as good, but it's a very good adventure story. CS Forester - The Good Shepherd: This was made into the movie Greyhound, and is a brilliant piece of WWII fiction. It covers a corvette and its captain escorting a convoy from North America to Great Britain during the Battle of the Atlantic, and is tense throughout. Edward Beach - Run Silent, Run Deep: WWII submarine warfare in the Pacific Theater. Tense and engaging. Bernard Cornwell - Sharpe: I like the stories of Richard Sharpe better than the other series that Cornwell has done. Excellent history and brilliant adventure. Reavis Z Wortham - The Rock Hole: This was a surprise for me this year. It's suspense/mystery set in North Texas in the early '60s. It evokes a time and place as well as any book I've read, and the characters and plot are both very well done. James Clavell - Shogun (and Taipan): For the reasons you mentioned. Lindsey Davis - Marcus Didius Falco: Noir-ish mystery set in the Roman empire in the first century AD. Strong character work and excellent historical research into the day-to-day life of a person of the time. Craig Johnson - First Frost: Most of the Longmire series is set in the present, but this looks back to the mid-60s and tells a story that is affected by the events of WWII. One of Johnson's best. W.E.B. Griffin - The Corps (and others of his WWII series, actually): WWII in the Pacific from ground level. Compelling plotting, good characters, and solid use of history. Honorable Mention Esther Forbes - Johnny Tremain: I don't know that this book would make any list of mine today, but it was extremely memorable when I read it as a kid. It covers an apprentice to a silversmith (IIRC) at the start of the Am. Rev. (and won the Newbery Medal in 1944).

[@SD9xcp311x]

Master and Commander! LOVE the series! Hornblower is great.. so is the James Kent series.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for your list! A lot of them appear to be nautical adventures, which are not a favorite of mine, but I jotted down several of the others. Thank you!

[@dpotman]

The Citadel of God by Louis de Wohl and The White stag by Kate Seredy

[@sandraelder1101]

I enjoyed Last Crusader by de Wohl. I’ll have to try Citadel of God.

[@wendybyle]

The mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Another King Arthur book, but from the women’s point of view. A very huge book and very good!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Yes! I've read that one and love it as well.

[@markbaker737]

Paul Fraser Collard - The Scarlet Thief. Great series

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you!

[@papajohnloki]

i'm with you on all of your books except GWTW which i read over 50 years ago and i literally hated most of the characters except for the sickly sweet melanie who always triggered my desire to throw up and the Killer Angels which was a great first read and ,upon a reread, realized that the sympathy of the reader was directed towards the Confederate side (George Meade who won the battle is only mentioned in a slanderous and inaccurate reference as wanting to retreat but was voted down by his generals- thus becoming the victor by default?). the novel is well done but really,,,

[@andrewrussell6806]

Loved GWTW. 2nd most important novel in American history.

[@andrewrussell6806]

I love GWTW. It's one of the most important American novels because it did more than anything else to perpetuate the myth of the lost cause. It's still an immersive book and it can be helpful to read books that have had such an enormous influence on American society.

[@papajohnloki]

@@andrewrussell6806 And Birth of a Nation is an important movie, but that does not make good or particularly worthwhile in my opinion.. Both it GWTW represent love letters to a society that did not exist as in reality.

[@tommymills1668]

Hi great list! Have you ever read the flashman series by George Macdonald Fraser?

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I have not read those!

[@adventuresinmusic2487]

Read several of your pics. Here a few of mine. Texas by Michener Hawaii by Michener The Man Who Would Be King: by Rudyard Kipling Aztec by Gary Jennings Arundel by Kenneth Roberts. first in a series. Samurai !: The Personal Story of Japan's Greatest Living Fighter Pilot by Saburo Sakai. Not fiction but an amazing tale that sounds like fiction.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for the list! Michener is definitely an author I want to explore.

[@SD9xcp311x]

Aztec! Samurai! YES!

[@rickcroucher]

If you like Dan Simmons, I recommend DROOD. It involves the friendship of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. I was fascinated through the entire book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I enjoyed Drood! I plan on a reread after I read Dickens' The Mystery of Edwin Drood one day!

[@Ben-O25]

My favorite historical fiction book is also my favorite book: Shadow Country by Peter Matthiessen. It's my pick for the Great American Novel.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I have never heard of that one, but I'm writing it down now. Thanks!