Best History Books of December 2024, as chosen by the Amazon Editors
It may be Friday the 13th—but we’re feeling pretty lucky to have this absorbing list of new history books. From a laugh-out-loud sports book to an oh-my-god adventure book, and so much more, check out a few of our recommended reads below—as well as our full list of the Best History Books of December, our favorites across all categories this month, and our Best Books of 2024. Perhaps you’ll find a gift for a loved one, and another for yourself.
The fight over women’s healthcare feels all too current. But, as Stephanie Gorton exposes in her sweeping history, the path has been long and windy, with two steps forward, and one step back, for more than a century. And before you make assumptions: it’s clear the movement toward (and away from) reproductive freedom has not been a straight line; with support shifting between political parties, doctors, and religious leaders that runs counter to today’s headlines. Gorton elegantly ties together the past and present through the stories of two boundary-breaking advocates: Margaret Sanger (the founder of Planned Parenthood, who believed doctors should make critical decisions about reproductive rights) and Mary Ware Dennett (an activist who tirelessly lobbied politicians to enshrine rights in the law). Both are imperfect heroes who nonetheless understood that reproductive rights are not just birth control and abortion, but a reflection of society’s opinion of women, and a hierarchy of power. Required reading for anyone who seeks a richer understanding of this long-lasting schism, and the brave, bold voices nudging America ever closer to its egalitarian ideals. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
I like a sports book. (As does the Amazon Books Editorial team, as evidenced by our #1 Best of the Year pick, The Boys of Riverside.) But you don’t need to be a diehard sports fan to appreciate the irreverent, laugh-out-loud snark of Jon "Stugotz" Weiner’s voice. Written in short, snappy chapters that will hold even the shortest attention span, the iconic radio host lets his opinions fly on some of the most boldfaced names in sports. And now? I look at Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Rafael Nadal, and more, in a new light. This book is packed with hilarious lists, rankings, and insights that kept me flipping pages, chuckling at a high enough volume to turn heads in the subway. Even if you don’t agree with Stugotz’s point of view on soccer, basketball, the Olympics, football, et al., you’ll close this book feeling lighter-hearted and appreciative of the joy of the game. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Holiday gift alert! When this book landed on my doorstep, I was blown away by how gorgeous it is: emerald green hardcover that feels hefty-in-hand and stunning full color photos that leap off the page, drawing you into each story. Some pages just have beautiful graphic depictions of reassuring phrases like: “It’s OK not to bloom for a while,” which made me wonder if I should get out my scissors and a picture frame. This entire book is about beauty and wonder from its very first page, from which Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen announces, “I believe pleasure is a human right.” Through interviews with environmental activist Jane Fonda, musician John Legend, influential chef Alice Waters (and more), Christiansen lays out how connecting to nature and joy leads to a richer, fuller life. As we said: a great gift, indeed. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
Until the 1960s, the Cinta Larga tribe experienced no interaction with the outside world. They lived deep inside the Amazon rainforest, 1,000 miles away from Brazil’s coast, in one of the most remote places in the world. And then a highway was built, making way for loggers and ranchers—and a forced march into assimilation with Western culture. While the allure of fast cars and modern appliances were hard to resist for some, the ability to pay for it did not come easy. And that is how violence and power collide in this shocking true story about the striving of several ingenious tribespeople who figured out how to extract unimaginable wealth from their homeland at great cost, and to a devastating end. Journalist Alex Cuadros (Brazillionaires) spent six years on the ground reporting out this gripping narrative that Douglas Preston calls “astonishing.” Eye-opening and thought-provoking, this adventurous tale will make you think about the world we live in, the world we want to live in, and what we’re willing to sacrifice to make it happen. —Lindsay Powers, Amazon Editor
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