Books for the Arm Chair Historian
Discover the best books for armchair historians! Explore our curated list of captivating reads that bring history to life, perfect for enthusiasts who love diving into the past from the comfort of their chair.
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The Persian Boy
by Mary Renault
“It takes skill to depict, as Miss Renault has done, this half-man, half Courtesan who is so deeply in love with the warrior.”–The Atlantic Monthly The Persian Boy traces the last years of Alexander’s life through the eyes of his lover, Bagoas. Abducted and gelded as a boy, Bagoas was sold as a courtesan to King Darius of Persia, but found freedom with Alexander after the Macedon army conquered his homeland. Their relationship sustains Alexander as he weathers assassination plots, the demands of two foreign wives, a sometimes-mutinous army, and his own ferocious temper. After Alexander’s mysterious death, we are left wondering if this Persian boy understood the great warrior and his ambitions better than anyone.
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The Last of the Wine
by Mary Renault
In The Last of the Wine, two young Athenians, Alexias and Lysis, compete in the palaestra, journey to the Olympic games, fight in the wars against Sparta, and study under Socrates. As their relationship develops, Renault expertly conveys Greek culture, showing the impact of this supreme philosopher whose influence spans epochs.
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I Found Out I'm Dying
by R Sporty King
Discusses life in ancient Egypt, with an overview and timeline of the years between 3050 and 30 B.C., and looks at agriculture, belief systems, art, health, the role of women and children, rulers, war, and other aspects of life along the Nile.
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The Little Ice Age
by Brian Fagan
From renowned archeologist Brian Fagan, the classic history of how climate change transformed Europe and the world The Little Ice Age tells the story of the turbulent, unpredictable, and often very cold years of modern European history, revealing how the 500-year cold snap that began in the fourteenth century affected historical events and what it means for today's global warming. Renowned archaeologist Brian Fagan shows how the increasing cold influenced familiar events, from Norse exploration to the settlement of North America to the Industrial Revolution. This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in history, climate, and how they interact.
