The 18 Best History Books of 2023 So Far

A beautifully rendered and expansive reassessment of art history through the biographical lens of women from the 16th to the 21st century. As a starred rating from Kirkus Reviews states, The Story of Art Without Men is "an overdue upending of art historical discourse."

Jerry Saltz & Amber Sparks

From a Pultizer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author comes a page-turning investigation into the peak years of the KKK's shockingly immense power and the magnetic leader at the head of it all, David C. Stephenson.

Nicholas Kristof & Ellen Barkin

Blending social commentary and historical analysis, Runstedtler explores how racial politics affected the NBA from the segregated '50s to the '70s, when a new league of Black players with their improvisational playing style stepped onto the court — and made it the game we know and love today.

Los Angeles Review of Books & Dave Zirin

The role of the Catholic Church in American slavery makes for a grim story — and for an important puzzle piece in American history. NYT journalist Rachel Swarns exposes the Church's decision to sell 272 enslaved people in order to get the funds needed to grow into the largest religious denomination — as well as the cascading effects on the descendants of the enslaved.

Ida Bae Wells & Lydia Polgreen

The year 1848 was one of revolution. It helped create the political landscape of modern Europe. Clark analyzes that pivotal year with both granular detail and a pan-European perspective, and draws a chilling connection between the unrest of that period and today's tense political atmosphere.

noah kulwin & Kenan Malik

From Petrarch in 14th-century Southern Italy to modern-day proponents of AI, Sarah Bakewell breaks down the thinking behind humanism through the people who shaped it.

Los Angeles Review of Books & Jeff (Gutenberg Parenthesis) Jarvis

Talk about being in the room where it happens. Author Evan Thomas recounts in riveting detail the moments leading up to the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan during WWII, drawing on exclusive diary entries of three leaders facing a decision that would alter global history.

Michael Beschloss & Peter Baker

The last living witness of the events leading to Emmett Till's death recalls what happened that summer in 1941. In this heart-wrenching and critically insightful account, Rev. Wheeler Parker seeks to rectify the decades-long misinformation campaign surrounding his cousin.

DANIELLE TRUSSONI— #ThePuzzleMaster🧩 out NOW & chris borrelli

Cultural critic Ethan Mordden draws back the curtain to showcase queer culture's impact on musical theater through the 20th century. Any theater lover will find it hard to put down this juicy, well-researched read filled with decade-by-decade commentary and intimate portraits of iconic LGBTQ+ figures.

David Shariatmadari & The Guardian

In this engrossing investigation into Ghana's "hidden wealth," West Africa-based reporter Yepoka Yeebo uncovers how a tangled web of lies allowed one con man to scam thousands of people out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

surlyspice

The bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann, recounts the captivating true story of how survivors of an 18th-century British shipwreck descended into anarchy after being stranded on a deserted island for months.

Don Winslow & Peter Baker

An engaging biographical look into four of the 20th century's most influential philosophical woman writers. Eilenberger weaves seemingly disparate narratives into one intriguing thread that illuminates how the cultural atmosphere of an impending war made an impact on their ideas.

Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins & A.R. Moxon

While we may think of the obsession with our personal brands as products of a social media-obsessed age, "branding yourself" is not a new phenomenon. Blending cultural criticism with historical commentary, this book explores the human desire for self-creation from the Renaissance to the present day.

jane ciabattari & New York Times Books

Columbia University journalism professor Alexander Stille investigates the inner workings of the highly secretive Sullivanian Institute, a late '50s NYC cult that advocated for polyamory and attracted well-known figures such as Jackson Pollock and Judy Collins.

Joumana Khatib & thomas beller

A tenderly written cultural history of why certain iconic African American figures such as Richard Wright decided to live abroad. The New York Times describes it as combining "the detailed knowledge of a tour guide with storytelling flair."

New York Times Books & Ana Lucia Araujo, PhD

If you think the plot of Succession is high family drama, wait till you get a load of this sweeping history of families from ancient times to the present. From romances to rivalries and from blood to betrayal, this is a masterful account of history through its dynasties.

Scott Simon & Michael Beschloss

How did a small area in Northern California come to represent the trappings of the 21st century tech revolution? Harris' comprehensive book traces the ideologies, company histories, and policies that have shaped Palo Alto into the "Birthplace of Sillicon Valley."

Kara Swisher & TaylorLorenz.Substack.com

We'd expect nothing less from long-time foreign affairs expert Robert D. Kaplan than a sweeping analysis of the shifting world order. He weaves together classic texts, travel writing and expert reportage in this perspective on the greater Middle East. He makes a case for realism, demonstrating that the ideals of democratic governance often don't work in practice.