Best History Books of August 2024, as chosen by the Amazon Editors
What does it take to find your space in the world? Themes of belonging, identity, and community are at the heart of our Best History Books of the month. Looking for more to read? Check out our Best Books of August in every genre, and our Best Books of the Year So Far.
Chris La Tray writes with such warmth and curiosity, sharing his story of searching for identity within a larger context of what it means to be native, and the member of the last federally-recognized tribe (and until then: landless). His conversational, salt-of-the-earth writing style draws you in, and, as the poet laureate of Montana, many of his sentences sing in their beauty. La Tray brings readers into his vulnerable heart and thoughtful mind, which adds to the unique cadence of this compelling memoir-slash-history of the Little Shell tribe. He shares his joy and the sweet relief of finding his community amid the devastating aspects of American colonialism—a rich and insightful history. Ideal for fans of Tommy Orange, Morgan Talty, or Deborah Taffa, or anyone who has ever reflected on finding a home and fitting in. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
When I read The Boys of Riverside, I was taken back in time to when I first saw Remember the Titans at the cinema. Thomas Fuller delivers a thought-provoking American underdog story that hits all the right beats. Where the Titans fought through racial prejudice, these football boys face a different foe—no one believes they can win for the simple fact that they're an all-deaf team. Every chapter is a fascinating look into the lives of the players, coaches, families, and Riverside community at large, diving into such topics as drug abuse, the vilification of sign language, and even the urbanization of farmland. It all plays a part in how this team comes together on the football field. A story of defeat and victory, of haves versus have-nots, and overcoming adversity, the narrative will make you want to read on, and even though you know the ending, it offers surprises and nail-biting moments along the way. One of the best books I've read all year; ultimately, it's an inspiring story that will speak to sports fans, deaf communities, allies, and more. —Ben Grange, Amazon Editor
Ian Frazier has written a real love story to the cacophonous energy of the Bronx, New York City—and really of America itself. Frazier, an award-winning travel and humor writer, spent 15 years transversing New York City’s northernmost borough, home to more than 1.4 million people, the birth place of hip-hop, and a rich Native American history. Frazier illustrates the striving and setbacks of the Bronx’s residents amid the borough’s lively streets and neighborhoods through long, thought-provoking walks. He deftly ties together the challenges and triumphs people faced hundreds of years ago and today, reflecting on what it takes to “make it” and claim your space in our vibrant, troubled country. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
On a dark night in Dallas, the body of an affluent white man was left for dead in a poor Black neighborhood. A man was swiftly arrested for the heinous crime, a jury spent about an hour deliberating his fate, and he was locked away for 35 years. But Ben Spencer didn’t murder Jeffrey Young, as reams of evidence proved. He was just in the wrong place, at the wrong time—and the investigation and his trial were bungled at every turn. This was by design, as NPR reporter Barbara Bradley Hagerty reveals in her gasp-inducing narrative about how the whims of chance, politics, racism, and our country’s laws make it shockingly easy to wrongly convict somebody, and nearly impossible to win their freedom. Written with the drama of a John Grisham novel, the character-building of The Wire or Charles Dickens, this David and Goliath story will provoke outrage, and action. Because, as this book proves beyond any reasonable doubt, what happened to Ben could happen to nearly anyone. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Fans of Mary Roach will sink their teeth into this riveting—and somewhat horrifying—book about creatures that bite. Most people probably don’t give much thought to teeth, but they make a huge difference into how we’re perceived (those with winning smiles move through society more easily), and say something about class (dental care is not cheap, and often not covered by insurance). There have been a number of fascinating books that explore this in past years (2017’s Teeth is a favorite, as is 2013’s Gulp). But this one is memorable from page one: the first chapter details a particularly, um, invasive fish that will probably haunt my nightmares forever. Beyond that, Bill Schutt does an excellent job unveiling fascinating insights into how teeth can establish dominance, explain evolution, and even improve our mental health. Plenty to chew on. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Looking for more book reviews and recommendations? Check out:
