American History Tellers
Book Recommendations

American History Tellers

The Cold War, Prohibition, the Gold Rush, the Space Race. Every part of your life - the words you speak, the ideas you share - can be traced to our history, but how well do you really know the stories that made America? We'll take you to the events, the times and the people that shaped our nation. A...

Episodes 518
Books 427

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Get Capone: The Secret Plot That Captured America's Most Wanted Gangster cover

Get Capone

Jonathan Eig

Mentioned 5 months ago

St. Valentines Day Massacre | Public Enemy No. 1 | 2

The speaker mentioned this book as further reading to explore Capone's ultimate downfall with the author.

In our next episode, we'll explore Capone's ultimate downfall with Jonathan Eig, author of Get Capone, the secret plot that captured America's most wanted gangster.

Buy on Amazon
Al Capone: His Life, Legacy, and Legend cover

Al Capone

Deirdre Bair

Mentioned 5 months ago

St. Valentines Day Massacre | Public Enemy No. 1 | 2

This book was recommended for listeners who wanted to learn more about Al Capone and the Chicago Gang Wars.

If you'd like to learn more about Al Capone and the Chicago Gang Wars, we recommend Al Capone, The Life, Legacy, and Legend by Deidre Baer, The St. Valentine's Day massacre by William J. Helmer and Arthur J. Billick, and Murder and Mayhem on Chicago's North Side by Troy Taylor.

Buy on Amazon
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre: The Untold Story of the Gangland Bloodbath That Brought Down Al Capone cover

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre

William J. Helmer

Mentioned 5 months ago

St. Valentines Day Massacre | Public Enemy No. 1 | 2

This book, co-authored by William J. Helmer and Arthur J. Billick, was suggested for further reading on the topic of the massacre.

If you'd like to learn more about Al Capone and the Chicago Gang Wars, we recommend Al Capone, The Life, Legacy, and Legend by Deidre Baer, The St. Valentine's Day massacre by William J. Helmer and Arthur J. Billick, and Murder and Mayhem on Chicago's North Side by Troy Taylor.

Buy on Amazon
Murder & Mayhem on Chicago's North Side cover

Murder & Mayhem on Chicago's North Side

Troy Taylor

Mentioned 5 months ago

St. Valentines Day Massacre | Public Enemy No. 1 | 2

Troy Taylor's book about Chicago's North Side crime was suggested as recommended listening for those interested in the subject.

If you'd like to learn more about Al Capone and the Chicago Gang Wars, we recommend Al Capone, The Life, Legacy, and Legend by Deidre Baer, The St. Valentine's Day massacre by William J. Helmer and Arthur J. Billick, and Murder and Mayhem on Chicago's North Side by Troy Taylor.

Buy on Amazon
This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving cover

This Land Is Their Land

David J. Silverman

Mentioned 7 months ago

The Mayflower | The Thanksgiving Myth | 5

The author wrote this book to place Wampanoag people at the center of the history of the first Thanksgiving and connect that history to their long-term struggles with colonialism. He also intended the book to be accessible to secondary teachers to reach millions of students with a more accurate history.

He's the author of This Land is Their Land, The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving.

Buy on Amazon
Thundersticks: Firearms and the Violent Transformation of Native America cover

Thundersticks

David J. Silverman

Mentioned 7 months ago

The Mayflower | The Thanksgiving Myth | 5

This book was mentioned as another work by David Silverman that listeners might want to check out after the interview.

You may also want to check out another of his books, Thundersticks, Firearms, and the Violent Transformation of Native America.

Buy on Amazon
Of Plymouth Plantation (Illustrated): In Modern English cover

Of Plymouth Plantation (Illustrated)

William Bradford

Mentioned 7 months ago

The Mayflower | Cutthroats | 4

William Bradford wrote this detailed history of the colony's early years between 1630 and 1652, hoping it would educate younger generations about the community's founding ideals. The manuscript was lost in 1777 amidst the American Revolution but was rediscovered in the Bishop of London's library in 1855, sparking a pilgrim craze in the North.

And thus was this poor church left, like an ancient mother, grown old and forsaken of her children. She that had made many rich became herself poor.

Buy on Amazon
The Origin of Species cover

The Origin of Species

Charles Darwin

Mentioned 7 months ago

History Daily: Darwin’s Origin of Species

This transformative book introduced Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection to the world on November 24, 1859. The publisher initially agreed to print it without even reading the manuscript due to Darwin's secrecy, though sales proved to be impressive immediately upon release. The book was controversial because it suggested evolution occurred without a creator and included humans as just another species subject to evolutionary pressures.

On the Origin of Species, by means of natural selection or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life.

Buy on Amazon
Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam (Studying Qur'an & Hadith) cover

Secrets of Divine Love

A. Helwa

Mentioned 7 months ago

History Daily: Darwin’s Origin of Species

A man stumbled upon this book in a library looking for answers and it led him into a world of radicalism and eventually to joining Al-Qaeda. The towering, ginger-haired Dane did not know that moment would change his life.

One afternoon, he stumbles into a library looking for answers. He finds them in the form of a book about Islam.

Buy on Amazon
Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell (Frontier Lawmen) cover

Tombstone

Tom Clavin

Mentioned 8 months ago

Shootout at the O.K. Corral | Vendetta | 4

This book focusing on Tombstone was suggested for further reading on the subject.

Tombstone by Tom Clavin

Buy on Amazon
The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral-And How It Changed the American West cover

The Last Gunfight

Jeff Guinn

Mentioned 8 months ago

Shootout at the O.K. Corral | Vendetta | 4

This book about Tombstone was recommended for listeners who wanted to learn more about the area.

we recommend The Last Gunfight by Jeff Gwynn

Buy on Amazon
Ride the Devil's Herd: Wyatt Earp's Epic Battle Against the West's Biggest Outlaw Gang cover

Ride the Devil's Herd

John Boessenecker

Mentioned 8 months ago

Shootout at the O.K. Corral | Vendetta | 4

This publication was recommended for listeners interested in learning more about the events discussed.

and Ride the Devil's Herd by John Bozenegger.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

Anxious Decades: America in Prosperity and Depression, 1920-1941 Cover

Michael E. Parrish

Anxious Decades

America in Prosperity and Depression, 1920-1941

The book characterized the Roaring Twenties not just as a time of optimism but also as an 'anxious decade,' highlighting underlying cultural and political tensions. The author discussed how the book's perspective on the 1920s remained consistent even decades after its initial publication in 1992.

"

By the title of your book, you characterize it as one of the Anxious Decades. What did you mean by that, anxious?

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | Anxious Decade | 5

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | Anxious Decade | 5

The book characterized the Roaring Twenties not just as a time of optimism but also as an 'anxious decade,' highlighting underlying cultural and political tensions. The author discussed how the book's perspective on the 1920s remained consistent even decades after its initial publication in 1992.

"

By the title of your book, you characterize it as one of the Anxious Decades. What did you mean by that, anxious?

Well, I meant that because people were experiencing this burst of what you might call modernism in terms of American culture and politics, entering this era did generate a great deal of anxiety and frustration among a great number of people.

His book Anxious Decades explores the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression.

Your book, Anxious Decades, was published in 1992, almost 30 years ago.

Anxious Decades: America in Prosperity and Depression, 1920-1941 Cover

Michael E. Parrish

Anxious Decades

America in Prosperity and Depression, 1920-1941

This book was mentioned as the topic of discussion for the next episode, featuring the author, Professor Michael E. Parrish.

"

On the next episode, our guest will be Professor Michael E. Parrish, author of Anxious Decades, America in Prosperity and Depression, 1921-1941.

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | The Great Crash | 4

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | The Great Crash | 4

This book was mentioned as the topic of discussion for the next episode, featuring the author, Professor Michael E. Parrish.

"

On the next episode, our guest will be Professor Michael E. Parrish, author of Anxious Decades, America in Prosperity and Depression, 1921-1941.

The Man and the Book Nobody Knows Cover

Bruce Barton

The Man and the Book Nobody Knows

This book was mentioned as a bestseller for two years running, where the author argued that Jesus Christ was the greatest advertiser of all time, helping religious conservatives reconcile modern self-indulgence with Christianity.

"

In his 1925 book, The Man Nobody Knows, he argued that Jesus Christ was the greatest advertiser of all time.

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | How the Money Rolls I...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | How the Money Rolls In | 3

This book was mentioned as a bestseller for two years running, where the author argued that Jesus Christ was the greatest advertiser of all time, helping religious conservatives reconcile modern self-indulgence with Christianity.

"

In his 1925 book, The Man Nobody Knows, he argued that Jesus Christ was the greatest advertiser of all time.

Every advertising man ought to study the parables of Jesus. They are marvelously condensed, as all good advertising should be.

The Man Nobody Knows was the best-selling nonfiction book for two years running.

New World Coming : The 1920s and the Making of Modern America Cover

Nathan Miller

New World Coming

The 1920s and the Making of Modern America

This book about the Roaring Twenties was recommended to listeners for learning more about the era.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Roaring Twenties, we recommend the book New World Coming, The 1920s and the Making of Modern America by Nathan Miller.

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | How the Money Rolls I...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | How the Money Rolls In | 3

This book about the Roaring Twenties was recommended to listeners for learning more about the era.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Roaring Twenties, we recommend the book New World Coming, The 1920s and the Making of Modern America by Nathan Miller.

New World Coming : The 1920s and the Making of Modern America Cover

Nathan Miller

New World Coming

The 1920s and the Making of Modern America

This book was recommended as a resource for listeners who wanted to learn more about the Roaring Twenties era discussed in the episode.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Roaring 20s, we recommend the book New World Coming, the 1920s and the Making of Modern America by Nathan Miller.

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | Rise of the Radicals...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | Rise of the Radicals | 1

This book was recommended as a resource for listeners who wanted to learn more about the Roaring Twenties era discussed in the episode.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Roaring 20s, we recommend the book New World Coming, the 1920s and the Making of Modern America by Nathan Miller.

The Hidden History of the White House: Presented by the Hit Podcast American History Tellers: An Immersive Exploration of Unseen American History, ... and Perspectives from the White House Cover

Corey Mead

The Hidden History of the White House

Presented by the Hit Podcast American History Tellers

This new book, inspired by the podcast, was presented as offering a look inside dramatic scenes, power struggles, decisions, and scandals within the White House, covering events from 1792 to 1941 and beyond.

"

Inspired by the hit podcast American History Tellers, Wondery and William Morrow present the new book The Hidden History of the White House.

— Episode: Roaring Twenties | Rise of the Radicals...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Roaring Twenties | Rise of the Radicals | 1

This new book, inspired by the podcast, was presented as offering a look inside dramatic scenes, power struggles, decisions, and scandals within the White House, covering events from 1792 to 1941 and beyond.

"

Inspired by the hit podcast American History Tellers, Wondery and William Morrow present the new book The Hidden History of the White House.

Order The Hidden History of the White House now in hardcover or digital edition before you get your books.

Breaking New Ground: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (An Amish Legacy Novel) Cover

Amy Clipston

Breaking New Ground

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (An Amish Legacy Novel)

Gifford Pinchot wrote this autobiography where he detailed his mission to educate the American public about forestry and ensure the scientific and productive use of the nation's forests.

"

He would later write in his autobiography, Breaking New Ground,

— Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Great Disas...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Great Disaster | 4

Gifford Pinchot wrote this autobiography where he detailed his mission to educate the American public about forestry and ensure the scientific and productive use of the nation's forests.

"

He would later write in his autobiography, Breaking New Ground,

Hunting Trips of a Ranchman - Sketches of Sport on the Northern Cattle Plains Cover

Theodore Roosevelt

Hunting Trips of a Ranchman - Sketches of Sport on the Northern Cattle Plains

Roosevelt published this first book in 1885, which detailed his early experiences out West, but it received a mixed review from Forest and Stream magazine.

"

Roosevelt published his first book, Hunting Trips of a Ranch Man, detailing his early experiences out West in 1885.

— Episode: Encore: National Parks | Rough Rider | 3

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: National Parks | Rough Rider | 3

Roosevelt published this first book in 1885, which detailed his early experiences out West, but it received a mixed review from Forest and Stream magazine.

"

Roosevelt published his first book, Hunting Trips of a Ranch Man, detailing his early experiences out West in 1885.

But Forest and Stream magazine, the country's premier publication for outdoorsmen, gave the book a mixed review.

Camping & Tramping With Roosevelt Cover

John Burroughs

Camping & Tramping With Roosevelt

Burroughs wrote about his experience traveling with Roosevelt in Yellowstone in this book.

"

Burroughs wrote about it in his book Camping and Tramping with Roosevelt.

— Episode: Encore: National Parks | Rough Rider | 3

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: National Parks | Rough Rider | 3

Burroughs wrote about his experience traveling with Roosevelt in Yellowstone in this book.

"

Burroughs wrote about it in his book Camping and Tramping with Roosevelt.

The Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees: A Preliminary Report, 1865 Cover

Frederick Law Olmsted

The Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees

A Preliminary Report, 1865

This preliminary report, presented in 1865, argued that untouched landscapes were essential for the soul and that the government had an obligation to protect these natural wonders for public enjoyment. It also provided practical guidance for building infrastructure while preserving the scenery's dignity.

"

The document was titled Yosemite and Mariposa Grove, a preliminary report.

— Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Business of...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Business of Nature |...

This preliminary report, presented in 1865, argued that untouched landscapes were essential for the soul and that the government had an obligation to protect these natural wonders for public enjoyment. It also provided practical guidance for building infrastructure while preserving the scenery's dignity.

"

The document was titled Yosemite and Mariposa Grove, a preliminary report.

Olmsted argued that untouched landscapes were capable of providing people of any age with refreshing rest and reinvigoration. He stressed that natural wonders such as these were good, perhaps essential for the soul.

Olmsted's report is still considered one of the most powerful and important documents on the need for conservation ever written.

In the Heart of the Sierras: Yosemite Valley and the Big Tree Groves Cover

J. M. Hutchings

In the Heart of the Sierras

Yosemite Valley and the Big Tree Groves

James Hutchings wrote this book where he slighted John Muir by never referring to him by name, instead referring to him only as a good practical sawyer.

"

When it came time for Hutchings to write his own book, In the Heart of the Sierras, he would slight Muir by never referring to him by name. In Hutchings' narrative, Muir was just a go...

— Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Business of...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: National Parks | The Business of Nature |...

James Hutchings wrote this book where he slighted John Muir by never referring to him by name, instead referring to him only as a good practical sawyer.

"

When it came time for Hutchings to write his own book, In the Heart of the Sierras, he would slight Muir by never referring to him by name. In Hutchings' narrative, Muir was just a good practical sawyer.

The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games: Sport, Race, and American Imperialism (Critical Studies in the History of Anthropology) Cover

Susan Brownell

The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games

Sport, Race, and American Imperialism (Critical Studies in the History of Anthropology)

This book, which the guest edited, focused on the Anthropology Days held during the 1904 Olympics and the involvement of the discipline of anthropology in that event.

"

She is an Olympic historian, professor of anthropology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and editor of the book, The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games, Sports, Race, and...

— Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics |...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics | Passing th...

This book, which the guest edited, focused on the Anthropology Days held during the 1904 Olympics and the involvement of the discipline of anthropology in that event.

"

She is an Olympic historian, professor of anthropology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and editor of the book, The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games, Sports, Race, and American Imperialism.

I am an anthropologist. I have a Ph.D. in anthropology. So I was drawn originally to the title Anthropology Days.

Anthropology of Sport: Bodies, Borders, Biopolitics Cover

Niko Besnier

Anthropology of Sport

Bodies, Borders, Biopolitics

The guest's work appeared in the New York Times and the Huffington Post, and she is listed as the co-author of this book.

"

Her work has appeared in the New York Times. And the Huffington Post. And she is co-author of the book, The Anthropology of Sport Bodies, Borders and Biopolitics.

— Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics |...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics | Passing th...

The guest's work appeared in the New York Times and the Huffington Post, and she is listed as the co-author of this book.

"

Her work has appeared in the New York Times. And the Huffington Post. And she is co-author of the book, The Anthropology of Sport Bodies, Borders and Biopolitics.

Full-Court Quest: The Girls from Fort Shaw Indian School, Basketball Champions of the World Cover

Linda Peavy

Full-Court Quest

The Girls from Fort Shaw Indian School, Basketball Champions of the World

This book was recommended for listeners who wanted to learn more about the Fort Shaw basketball team's story.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Fort Shaw basketball team, we recommend Full Court Quest by Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith.

— Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics |...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Fight for the First U.S. Olympics | The Home S...

This book was recommended for listeners who wanted to learn more about the Fort Shaw basketball team's story.

"

If you'd like to learn more about the Fort Shaw basketball team, we recommend Full Court Quest by Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith.

The Nation Must Awake: My Witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 Cover

Mary E. Jones Parrish

The Nation Must Awake

My Witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921

This book is the written account of the Tulsa Race Massacre by the great-grandmother of Anneliese Bruner, which Anneliese re-published. The book serves as a primary witness document to the destruction that occurred.

"

This year, she re-published her great-grandmother Mary Parrish's written account of the destruction under the title The Nation Must Awake: My Witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 192...

— Episode: Encore: Tulsa Race Massacre | Bearing Wi...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Encore: Tulsa Race Massacre | Bearing Witness | 5

This book is the written account of the Tulsa Race Massacre by the great-grandmother of Anneliese Bruner, which Anneliese re-published. The book serves as a primary witness document to the destruction that occurred.

"

This year, she re-published her great-grandmother Mary Parrish's written account of the destruction under the title The Nation Must Awake: My Witness to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

The Hidden History of the White House: Presented by the Hit Podcast American History Tellers: An Immersive Exploration of Unseen American History, ... and Perspectives from the White House Cover

Corey Mead

The Hidden History of the White House

Presented by the Hit Podcast American History Tellers

This new book, inspired by the American History Tellers podcast, covered fierce power struggles, world-altering decisions, and shocking scandals that shaped the nation within the White House. Listeners were promised they would witness events from the laying of the foundations in 1792 to the British burning it down in 1814, and even hear intimate conversations between FDR and Winston Churchill.

"

Inspired by the hit podcast, American History Tellers, Wondery and William Morrow present the new book, The Hidden History of the White House.

— Episode: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper | The Man in...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper | The Man in Row 18 | 1

This new book, inspired by the American History Tellers podcast, covered fierce power struggles, world-altering decisions, and shocking scandals that shaped the nation within the White House. Listeners were promised they would witness events from the laying of the foundations in 1792 to the British burning it down in 1814, and even hear intimate conversations between FDR and Winston Churchill.

"

Inspired by the hit podcast, American History Tellers, Wondery and William Morrow present the new book, The Hidden History of the White House.

Order The Hidden History of the White House now in hardcover or digital edition wherever you get your books.

Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times Cover

David S. Reynolds

Abe

Abraham Lincoln in His Times

This was mentioned as David S. Reynolds' most recent book, which contextualizes Lincoln and his capabilities during the Civil War.

"

He is the author of John Brown, Abolitionist, and Abe, Abraham Lincoln in his times.

— Episode: Bleeding Kansas | The Man Who Sparked th...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bleeding Kansas | The Man Who Sparked the Civil Wa...

This was mentioned as David S. Reynolds' most recent book, which contextualizes Lincoln and his capabilities during the Civil War.

"

He is the author of John Brown, Abolitionist, and Abe, Abraham Lincoln in his times.

as I prove in my new book, Abe, which contextualizes Lincoln, he had special capabilities in part produced by his own background and his own culture that enabled him to direct America through the Civil War.

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Young Folks' Edition Cover

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Young Folks' Edition

The novel was described as a very Christian and anti-slavery work that was part of the evangelical branch of the anti-slavery movement.

"

That came through also in the anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, a very Christian novel by Harry Beecher Stowe, which is very anti-slavery.

— Episode: Bleeding Kansas | The Man Who Sparked th...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bleeding Kansas | The Man Who Sparked the Civil Wa...

The novel was described as a very Christian and anti-slavery work that was part of the evangelical branch of the anti-slavery movement.

"

That came through also in the anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, a very Christian novel by Harry Beecher Stowe, which is very anti-slavery.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.