Read This Next with Emily Darlow
If you love real stories that illuminate the past while connecting directly to the present, this selection of non-fiction history books has plenty to offer. These titles range from global politics and royal biography to social history, ancient conflict and deeply personal memoir. Some take you back centuries, others pull you into moments that changed the world, but all of them are rooted in human experience. They focus on the people behind the dates, the decisions behind the headlines and the lives history often overlooks.
Below are six history reads worth adding to your bookshelf. Whether you are a seasoned history reader or simply curious about how the world became what it is today, these books offer insight, context and storytelling that stays with you.
Looking from the North by Henry Reynolds
Australia’s national story has long been told from a single perspective, and in Looking from the North, Henry Reynolds turns that framing on its head. Instead of viewing our history from the south of the continent, Reynolds examines it from the north, a vantage shaped by centuries of First Nations presence, exploration, contact and cultural exchange. Drawing on extensive research, he reframes familiar events and challenges readers to reconsider how Indigenous and non-Indigenous histories intersect. The book asks important questions about whose stories have been prioritised and whose have been left out.
Reynolds writes with clarity and authority, making this an accessible and essential read for anyone wanting a deeper and more honest understanding of Australia’s past.
Henry V by Dan Jones
Dan Jones brings the story of Henry V vividly to life in this compelling biography of one of England’s most famous warrior kings. Rising to the throne as a young man, Henry forged a reputation through ambition, military brilliance and ruthless determination. The book explores the political landscape of medieval Europe alongside Henry’s defining moments, including the Battle of Agincourt. Jones captures both the brutality of the era and the personality of the king who helped shape it. Fast paced and richly detailed, this is history that reads with the energy of a novel, ideal for readers who enjoy dramatic storytelling grounded in solid research.
The Bridge by Peter Lalor
The Bridge tells the story of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as more than an engineering feat. Peter Lalor explores the bridge as a symbol of ambition, struggle and national identity, shaped by the social and political forces of its time. From the battles over its construction to its lasting place in Australian life, the book reveals the human stories behind the steel and stone. Workers, politicians and everyday Australians all play a role in the narrative. Whether you cross the bridge daily or admire it from afar, this is a fascinating and readable look at how one structure came to represent so much more than its physical form.
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
This memoir offers a clear-eyed look at life in London’s East End during the 1950s, told through the experiences of a young nurse training as a midwife. Jennifer Worth documents a community shaped by poverty, limited resources and strong social ties, providing an honest account of daily life at a time when healthcare relied heavily on skill, resilience and improvisation. The book is filled with detailed stories of childbirth, illness and family life, alongside moments of humour and practical problem solving. Worth captures the realities faced by women and families with observation rather than sentiment, allowing the setting and circumstances to speak for themselves. Both personal and historical, this is a compelling read that sheds light on a period of social change and the essential role of community-based healthcare, making it an enduring and informative piece of social history.
The Mountbattens by Andrew Lownie
In this detailed biography, Andrew Lownie examines the lives of Lord Louis Mountbatten and his wife Edwina, figures who moved easily through royalty, politics and power. Their lives were marked by privilege, controversy and significant influence on twentieth century history. The book explores Mountbatten’s military career, his role in the end of British rule in India and the complicated personal dynamics that shaped his public life. Lownie presents a nuanced portrait that does not shy away from difficult truths. This is an absorbing read for anyone interested in royal history and the personalities who operated behind the scenes of global events.
Tomorrow Is Yesterday by Hussein Agha
In Tomorrow Is Yesterday, Hussein Agha blends personal reflection with historical analysis to explore the Middle East and the forces that continue to shape it. Drawing on his experiences in diplomacy and scholarship, he offers insight into the region’s past and its ongoing struggles. The book moves between memoir and broader history, helping readers understand how political decisions and cultural identity are deeply intertwined. Agha writes with empathy and clarity, making complex issues more accessible. This is a thoughtful and important read for anyone wanting to better understand a region that continues to influence global affairs.
History is more than names and dates on a page. It is the story of how we arrived here, shaped by choices, chance and consequence. These books bring the past to life through character, context and clarity, offering insight that feels both relevant and rewarding. Whether you are drawn to Australian history, royal lives, social change or global politics, there is something here to deepen your understanding and enrich your reading time.