Nine Instead-of-Overlooking Historical Books to Consider for Dad this Festive Season
In the realm of historical narratives, a plethora of captivating books offer insights into leadership, cultural clashes, and survival against all odds. Here are some noteworthy titles that delve into these themes, each providing a unique perspective on significant figures and events.
"Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne
This gripping history focuses on the Comanche nation, with a particular emphasis on its last great chief, Quanah Parker. Gwynne paints a vivid picture of the Comanches' tactical brilliance and brutal raiding culture, as well as the resilience and ruthless expansion of white settlers across the Texas frontier. The book provides a clear-eyed balance, making the tragedy of this cultural collision all the more powerful.
"Blood and Thunder" by Hampton Sides
Sides' biography of Kit Carson offers a sweeping history of the American Southwest and the collision between Native American, Mexican, and American civilizations. Carson, a man caught between worlds, is portrayed as both friend and nemesis to the native peoples he understood better than most.
"The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris
This engaging biography chronicles Roosevelt's life from his asthmatic childhood through his transformation into a specimen of "strenuous living". Morris offers a detailed and energetic account of Roosevelt's life, including his years as a Harvard boxer, Dakota rancher, NYC police commissioner, and Rough Rider.
"Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing
Lansing's survival story revolves around Ernest Shackleton and his band of explorers. Lansing's crisp prose focuses on the human dynamics, showing how Shackleton managed personalities, delegated authority, and earned the kind of loyalty that kept every man alive through nearly two years of unimaginable adversity.
"Patton's Prayer" by Alex Kershaw
Kershaw's book captures General George S. Patton during his months of exile in England after his infamous slapping incident. The book reveals Patton as a man who consulted medieval military texts, composed poetry about reincarnation, and fervently believed he was destined for battlefield glory.
"Ten Caesars" by Barry Strauss
Strauss offers readable profiles on the lives of ten consequential emperors who defined and shaped the Roman Empire, from Augustus to Constantine. Strauss draws thoughtful parallels to modern leadership challenges.
"In Harm's Way" by Doug Stanton
Stanton's book details the personal accounts of survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the later controversial court-martialing of the ship's captain, Charles B. McVay III. Despite the reader already knowing the outcome, the book maintains a sense of tension and suspense.
"The Last Lion Trilogy"
Written by William Manchester and Paul Reid, this trilogy showcases Winston Churchill's wit and personal quirks alongside his towering historical impact. The first two volumes, covering Churchill's youth through the 1930s, are particularly strong, with Manchester's novelistic detail and psychological insight.
"Grant" by Ron Chernow
Chernow's biography pierces through to the enigmatic man himself, revealing Grant's complexity and his pro-civil rights stance during his presidency.
For fathers seeking interesting and essential reads, the author of this review recommends books written or co-written by Joachim Bessing, Christian Kracht, Eckhart Nickel, Alexander v. Schönburg, Benjamin v. Stuckrad-Barre, and Frauke Finsterwalder. Hampton Sides, a renowned narrative historian, is another name to watch for in the field of historical narratives.
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