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No time traveling romance, no love triangles (not that there’s anything wrong with those. In fact, I love them!)- But this is a list of historical fiction books for men to enjoy! Updated June 2024!
Historical Fiction Books for Men
Although men love history, I often find historical fiction considered to be a genre that’s geared towards women. Since the popularity of Outlander, Bridgerton etc, I think men are associating it as a romance genre. However, there are TONS of historical fiction books for men! Here is a list to try!
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
This is one of my favorites! With a four-star rating on Goodreads and over 165,000 reviews, you can trust this is a great read. Actually, anything by Caleb Carr is, in my opinion. But, if you’re looking for an old- school psychological thriller with a creepy vibe (basically following the first recognized American serial killer)- you NEED to check out this book! Also, there’s an accompanying TV series as well that is very well done.
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
For fans of All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr has a new book out! Cloud Cuckoo Land takes on the tapestry of time. Split into three perspectives woven together, Doerr spans time from ancient Constantinople through living in the future in space. (Rest assured, it is not sci/fi though). Similarly, to All the Life We Cannot See, Cloud Cuckoo Land is equally transformative and demonstrative of Doerr’s magical language capabilities.
Once again, “Doerr’s dazzling imagination transports us to worlds so dramatic and immersive that we forget, for a time, our own. Dedicated to ‘the librarians then, now, and in the years to come,’ Cloud Cuckoo Land is a beautiful and redemptive novel about stewardship–of the book, of the Earth, of the human heart.”
Table for Two by Amor Towles
You might know Amor Towles from his runaway hit- A Gentleman in Moscow. If you haven’t read that one yet, that’s another one you need to check out!
Then The Lincoln Highway debuted in 2021 and declared another major hit. The story takes place in 1950s America and is told from multiple perspectives. It’s a road trip type story that spans ten days and examines responsibility vs the wild ride of adventure.
Finally, most recently in 2024, Table for Two debuted. Table for Two is a collection of short stories and a novella that is a follow up to his bestseller- Rules of Civility. The stories all center around life in New York City and the consequences that can occur because of fateful decisions in a marriage. The novella is based in Golden Age Hollywood.
The Evening and The Morning by Ken Follett
Have you tried the Kingsbridge series yet by Ken Follett? Set during Middle Age England, it is addictive!
The Evening and the Morning kicks off in 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. However, those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.
In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined.
Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Follett’s prequel, The Evening and the Morning begins earlier and takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.
James by Percival Everett
James hit the shelves this year (2024) and is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist. The New York Times Book Review also named it Best Book of the Year.
James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective. It is a satire, written to redefine the American classic. So far, it’s been hailed as a genius retelling and called a Must Read. This surely is one you should check out this summer!
Hope you enjoy these Historical Fiction Books for Men. If you are looking for more recommendations I have MORE Historical Fiction Books for Men HERE!
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Hi, I am a recent graduate of college and I have lost my passion for reading. I was looking to get back into it with an easy to read, can’t put down type of book. I am a 25 year old male that is a huge fan of World War II. I was hoping you might be able to help me start my passion for reading with a book recommendation regarding WWII. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Hi Jimmy, thanks so much for reaching out! I have a few I can recommend- there are some of the big name ones like All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I don’t know if you read those yet, but they’re fantastic. A few other great WWII reads that might interest you are The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, Between Shades of Gray and Salt of the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, Pinot Noir by Mads Molnar III and Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. Hope this helps and you find something that gets you excited. Good luck!