Best American History

Lonesome Dove is a 1989 American Western miniseries based on Larry McMurtry's novel of the same name. Widely considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made, it follows two retired Texas Rangers, Gu...

Doris Kearns Goodwins masterpiece examines Abraham Lincolns presidency through the lens of his cabinet, which was composed of his former political rivals. The book illustrates Lincolns extraordinary e...

Jonathan Eigs definitive biography of Martin Luther King Jr., 'King: A Life,' draws on newly available FBI files and personal documents to offer a nuanced and complex portrait of the iconic civil righ...

This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography is the first volume in a planned trilogy about Theodore Roosevelt, and it's a masterpiece of historical storytelling. Morris vividly portrays Roosevelt's early li...

Rosa Parks is often remembered for a single act of defiance, but her life was defined by decades of dedicated civil rights work. Her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus was a calculated, c...

Based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript 'Remember This House,' 'I Am Not Your Negro' is a poignant and deeply personal exploration of race in America. Narrated by Baldwin's voice, the film weav...

This film tells the inspiring, true story of three African American women who played a crucial role at NASA during the early days of the space race. It is a feel-good, well-crafted drama that highligh...

While not a traditional biography, this seminal work offers a profound biographical understanding of the Jim Crow era and the individuals who shaped it. Woodward's analysis challenges conventional nar...

This biography explores the life of Evelyn Nesbit, a pivotal figure in the infamous Thaw-White scandal of the Gilded Age. Author Clara Beaumont meticulously reconstructs Nesbit's journey from a young...

Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross, was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, risking her life repeatedly to lead enslaved people to freedom. After escaping slavery herself, she made numerous trips...

This captivating book intertwines the stories of Daniel Burnham, the architect behind the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, and H.H. Holmes, a notorious serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. La...

Ron Chernows 'Washington: A Life' is a definitive, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that strips away the marble-statue image of George Washington to reveal a passionate, complex, and deeply human lead...

The Jim Thompson House Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of an American businessman who revitalized the Thai silk industry. The museum comprises six traditional Thai houses relocated a...

This biography of John Charles Fremont, a renowned explorer and military figure, offers a fascinating glimpse into the American West during the 19th century. Bowen details Fremont's expeditions, his p...

This PBS documentary series adapts Benjamin Franklins autobiography, bringing his life and accomplishments to life through historical reenactments, expert commentary, and archival materials. It explor...

Ron Maxwells 1993 film 'Gettysburg' is a detailed and historically accurate recreation of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The 251-minute runtime allows for a comprehens...

Based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, this film provides an unflinching look at the reality of slavery in the United States. Directed by Steve McQueen, it follows a free Black man from upstate New Y...

This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Thomas Jefferson is a monumental work of scholarship and storytelling. Warren delves into Jeffersons complex character, his political career, and his philosoph...

David McCulloughs 'John Adams' is a beautifully written, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that restored the reputation of the second U.S. President. McCullough portrays Adams as a principled, intellig...

Eyes on the Prize is a landmark documentary series chronicling the American Civil Rights Movement. The series combines archival footage, news reports, and interviews with activists, politicians, and o...

Sufjan Stevens' 'Illinois' is a sprawling and ambitious chamber-pop album that explores the history, culture, and mythology of the state of Illinois. The album's intricate arrangements, lyrical comple...

This biography examines the life and career of Clarence Darrow, a controversial and brilliant lawyer known for defending unpopular clients. Wieseltier explores Darrow's involvement in high-profile cas...

This biography by James Riley sheds light on the life of Matthew Henson, an African American explorer who played a crucial role in Robert Pearys expeditions to the North Pole. Riley examines Hensons c...

From the creator of Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age is an opulent period drama set in 1880s New York City. It follows the clash between 'old money' and 'new money' as the city undergoes rapid social and...

The Lincoln Highway follows two brothers who embark on a cross-country road trip in 1954, encountering a cast of colorful characters along the way. Towles novel is a charming and heartwarming explorat...

James Baldwin's 'The Fire Next Time' (1963) is a powerful and urgent collection of two essays addressing the complexities of race and racism in America. Baldwin's eloquent prose and unflinching honest...

This revisionist history of Reconstruction challenges traditional narratives of failure and white victimhood. It examines the efforts of African Americans to build new lives and institutions in the po...

Halberstams book chronicles the 1976-77 baseball season, focusing on the Pittsburgh Pirates and their remarkable comeback. While ostensibly about baseball, its a biography of a team and the individual...

This biography by Julian Thorne offers a detailed analysis of Henry Kissinger's career as a diplomat and national security advisor. Thorne examines Kissinger's role in shaping American foreign policy...