Historical Fictionistas discussion

Hey everyone. I'm trying to add more HF to my TBR list and I was thinking I don't really have any HF that is set in the US. I know we haven't had that many centuries of history, but there have to be some good books right? Does anyone know of any good HF set in the US about the Presidents/Gov anything like that?

(PS: I just saw Lincoln the movie last night, which was wonderful, which is what got me thinking about this).

Hi Rebecca,

James Michener does good enough reads on Texas, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Larry McMurtry has a few that are fun including one on Billy the Kid.

Some people like John Jakes' tomes.

Was there a book called something like Jefferson in Paris, they made a movie of it.

Son of the Morning Star is about Custer who might have been president.

I loved Michener's "Chesapeake". Other authors to look at are James Alexander Thom, Beverly Swerling, Sara Donati, Charles Frazier, Geraldine Brooks, Sally Gunning.

One of my favorite books, while not about a president, is Lonesome Dove and the Outlander series, starting with the fourth book, Drums of Autumn, is set during the Revolutionary war period.

Rebecca wrote: "Hey everyone. I'm trying to add more HF to my TBR list and I was thinking I don't really have any HF that is set in the US. I know we haven't had that many centuries of history, but there have to..."

The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie, Jr. is an AMAZING novel about America's frontier--it made me want to read more about a time period/location that I wasn't really interested in before.

I second the suggestion to read James Alexander Thom, having read two of his books.

And of course, if you are into the later history Herman Wouk with The Winds of War and War and Remembrance gives an amazing coverage of WW2, mainly from American point of view :-)

Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, about a New York society girl who marries a trader and travels to California in the pre-Gold Rush days, but there's also a very good Gold Rush book, a Revolutionary War book about a female spy for Washington, and a southern plantation trilogy which follows three generations of the same southern family from the early days of Louisiana settlement to the Civil War to World War I.

For US HF - Try this book by Susan Denning

In the top 1000 for paid Kindle books, and also available as a paperback.
Listmania shows it as #9 in the top 100 best sellers.

Mary Kate, I heartily agree about A.B. Guthrie, Jr. Be sure to read the sequel, "The Way West," and the final book of the trilogy about Boone Caudill and Dick Summers, "Fair Land, Fair Land."

Zoe, I, too, have enjoyed Thom's novels, especially "Panther in the Sky," about the remarkable Shawnee chief Tecumseh.

I've just thought of a few more:
Gone with the Wind
These Is My Words
Ride the Wind
Rules of Civility
Someone Knows My Name: A Novel - Haven't read this one yet but it's on my TBR list.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

Queen of America: A Novel looks pretty interesting, although I have read only the opening so far.

Harold wrote: "... Zoe, I, too, have enjoyed Thom's novels, especially "Panther in the Sky," about the remarkable Shawnee chief Tecumseh."

Oh yes, "Panther in the Sky" is my favorite too. Thom gives such an interesting outlook on this part of the history, presenting many different sides and points of view. I think his books are important, shedding much light on American history :-)

Ride the Wind is a fascinating book albeit rather gruesome in parts. It is based on a true story and is one of my favorites.

Maureen, I recently read "Someone Knows My Name" and thought it was pretty good.
I would also recommend "New York" by Edward Rutherford. I think his HF is the best. He wrote "Sarum" about Stonehenge, "London", etc.

Queen is one of my favorites.

Kate wrote: "Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, about a New York..."

Kate you are the only person I've seen who even knows Gwen Bristow . Her Plantation Trilogy is still one of my favorites. I also recently got a new 'rediscovered classic' edition of Calico Palace
I'd rcommend any of her books.
I really liked John Jakes' Kent Family series.
Michener's Centennial and Chesapeake
have always been favorites.
I'm currently reading Robert McCammon's Matthew Corbett series and really liking it

Rosalie wrote: "Maureen, I recently read "Someone Knows My Name" and thought it was pretty good.
I would also recommend "New York" by Edward Rutherford. I think his HF is the best. He wrote "Sarum" about Stoneheng..."

I am definitely adding New York: The Novel to my list. All of my grandparents were immigrants from Ireland and settled in NY in the 1920's and both of my parents were born there.

Kate wrote: "Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, about a New York..."

Kate and Joanne, I remember reading the Plantation trilogy all those many years ago when I was a teenager. Because of those books I developed a deep and abiding love for HF - something that has stayed with me now some 40 years. Even though it has been many, many years since reading them I can still remember parts of them. Now that is the mark of a good book!!!

LemonLinda wrote: "Kate wrote: "Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, abo..."

lemonlinda~ it's probably been about 35 years since I first read them and though I don't remember much about them I do remember that I really liked them. I dug them out not long ago hoping to read them again ...talking about them now makes me want to move them up the list ...

Kate wrote: "Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, about a New York..."

I agree about Gwen Bristow, she is excellent. If you're looking for details of everyday life during the Revolutionary War, I recommend The Turning of Anne MerrickHer details are fantastic.

Kate wrote: "Look at the works of Gwen Bristow if you want some really terrific US-based HF. She's not very well known, but she's absolutely superb. My favorite of her books is Jubilee Trail, about a New York..."

I loved Jubilee Trail when I read it in high school. Thanks for the reminder. I'll have to find a copy and reread it. I remember enjoying Celia Garth, also by Gwen Bristow which was set in Charleston, I think, during the revolutionary war.

How about well-researched books about Native Americans? Kathleen and Micheal Gear have plenty of those, as well as my new fav, Sue Harrison. She hasn't written for 20 years, but I just found her books. They are about ancient people in Alaska, beautifully written and researched.

Is there anything you would recommend on the War of 1812? My novels run in parallel charting events in Spain and France at that time and one or two characters might think they'd like a trip New Orleans. It would be good to see how writers handle the subject.

It's non-fiction, but if you haven't already read it, "1812: The War that Forged a Nation" by Walter Borneman is terrific!!!!

Actually, I have a research question for you all:

Does anyone know of a good book--fiction or non-fiction that covers U.S. theatrics around the Civil War era? (I'm looking specifically for references to stage makeup--the substance used to blacken their faces).

Lisa wrote: "Actually, I have a research question for you all:

Does anyone know of a good book--fiction or non-fiction that covers U.S. theatrics around the Civil War era? (I'm looking specifically for referen..."

I found the following on a website regarding minstrel shows.

Blackface in Minstrel Shows
Blackface makeup was either a layer of burnt cork on a layer of coca butter or black grease paint. In the early years exaggerated red lips were painted around their mouths, like those of today's circus clowns. In later years the lips were usually painted white or unpainted. Costumes were usually gaudy combinations of formal wear; swallowtail coats, striped trousers, and top hats.

I LOVE this question! I just joined Goodreads and am so glad I joined! Thanks to this post I have a whole new list of books TBR. I know someone previously asked about books specifically about Native Americans, but I'm wondering if there are some great fiction books out there about Northeastern tribes--Iroquois, Heron, etc. I've already read THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS, but hoping for a more current author who might be more historically accurate. Got any suggestions?

Lisa wrote: "Actually, I have a research question for you all:

Does anyone know of a good book--fiction or non-fiction that covers U.S. theatrics around the Civil War era? (I'm looking specifically for referen..."

You might take a look at Booth's Sister. He was an actor before he became an assassin.....

L.B., look at the books of Kathleen and Michael Gear. I'm pretty sure they one about Northeastern tribes. The Gears are archeologists who base their work on well-researched facts. Also see William Sarabande.
One of the best books I've ever read of any kind is The Delight Makers, a novel of prehistoric Pueblo indians by archeologist Adolf F. Bandeleir. He knew those people so well, it's spooky.

Look into books by Ivan Doig. I absolutely loved his "The Whistling Season."

If non-fiction is allowed I would recommend Famine to Freedom. I read it not long ago and came out enormously enriched, learning not a little about the Civil War and its implications, particularly from the angle of the Irish immigration (or visa versa :-))The amount of research put into this book seems to be considerable and more.


As for Native Americans of pre-contact times I have a fair amount of books (one on the Iroquois (Seneca in particular), one on the Anasazi (and their contact with their Mesoamerican neighbors), the rest on Mesoamerica). But I can't be 100% objective recommending these books as they are mine ;-)

L. B. wrote: "I LOVE this question! I just joined Goodreads and am so glad I joined! Thanks to this post I have a whole new list of books TBR. I know someone previously asked about books specifically about Nativ..."

Look into the Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati. They are set in upstate New York in the late eighteenth century and involve the Mohawk tribe.

Thank you all so much! How fun to go to amazon now and add to my wish list. I'm giggling all the way there!

Very late to the party, but I've read almost all of William Martin's books - Back Bay, Annapolis, Harvard Yard, Citizen Washington and a couple of more. They are all based in the New England area and, with the except of the Washington one, are sagas.

Yea Zoe! Your books are on my "must read" list! Thank you for your work!

Mary wrote: "How about well-researched books about Native Americans? Kathleen and Micheal Gear have plenty of those, as well as my new fav, Sue Harrison. She hasn't written for 20 years, but I just found her ..."

I totally recommend

Mother Earth Father Sky

Mary wrote: "Yea Zoe! Your books are on my "must read" list! Thank you for your work!"

Wow Mary, thank you so much for your interest. I'm honored! :-)

As for North America not having many centuries of history, don't forget the human beings have lived here for over 10,000 years. That is why well-researched work on the history of North Americans prior to the Spanish and the English are so important. These works enlarge our understanding not only of "history", but also of what it means to be human.

Mary wrote: "As for North America not having many centuries of history, don't forget the human beings have lived here for over 10,000 years. That is why well-researched work on the history of North Americans p..."

Not only this, but the pre-contact history of this continent was as diverse as any other, with plenty of nations having all ways of managing their affairs, from empires to democracies, from large scale confederacies to absolute monarchies. You name it and they had it :-)

The tribes as we know this concept were actually in minority. Most of the continent was agricultural and therefore well settled, with large cities(and I'm not referring to Mesoamerica with it's architectural wonders, I'm talking about North America) and complected politics and communications between the nations, from trade to diplomacy to wars.

The general misconception of this continent prior to its discovery is staggering :(

But I better not get started on THIS topic :D

In response to Zoe's comment about North America that "most of the continent was agriculatural ...with large cities..." let me just add that it depends on the time period and the exact place in N.A. you are talking about. Cahokia, Chaco Canyon and others are examples of large cities at certain time periods, but they do not represent the vast majority of North America prior to 1800. Archeologists are finding that North America was indeed peopled almost coast to coast around 10,000 years ago, but those were mostly fairly small groups without permanent structures or other characteristics of cities. Mexico and Central America are another story all together.

Anyway, this is interesting, but I echo Zoe, I'd better not get started.... There is just too much to say.

Well, I may have taken it too far with the statement of "large cities" which are a relative term anyway :-)
But around the 12th century, most of the northeast was agricultural and well settled (not only the Iroquois but the surrounding nations as well). Their towns could not rival Mesoamerica, Cahokia or the Southwest, yet those were full-time towns and cities. There was no wandering around the most part of the continent, except the northwest as far as I know.
After the 16th century the picture changed due to the results of the contact. Large populations of people were "debased", their cities burned, with the survivors doing their best and organizing into what we call today 'tribes', indeed turning to the less settled way of life. But this situation does not picture this continent prior to the discovery, in the contrary to our popular knowledge. Historically there is "before and after the 16th century" (give and take a few decades for different locations) and those two has nothing to do with each other.
But I agree that prior to the 10th century agricultural was not yet as spread, so you are absolutely right in correcting me that my statement could not refer to 'all times' :)
(but then it was the same in Europe, or anywhere else :-))

Homeland by John Jakes, and sequel "American Dreams". Multi-generational saga begins with an orphaned German teenager who immigrates to America (Chicago), lives with his well-to-do brewery tycoon uncle, and adventures to make a life for himself. Excellent portrayal of Chicago/America of the times.

Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor. "Pulitzer Prize-winning story of the Andersonville Fortress and its use as a concentration camp-like prison by the South during the Civil War."

Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker. 1863 Civil War draft riots in New York City. Very engaging portrayal of the event, the racist culture of the time, and the personality of NYC.

Shadowbrook by Beverly Swerling. Set mid-eighteenth-century Ohio and recalls the French and Indian War (setting the foundation for the American Revolution).

Columbia by Pamela Jekel. Saga of the Columbia River and her people (both Native American and Caucasian) which begins 9000 years ago and ends with a present-day archaeological dig.

Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. (Forgive me if this is not stricly befitting of HF). Classic tome of displaced families and a nation rent by Depression.

Burr By Gore Vidal. First book of Vidal's 7 book "Narratives of Empire" series which spans the history of the United States from the Revolution to the post-World War II years. The 2nd book is "Lincoln".

I've been steadily making my way through William T. Vollmann's Seven Dreams on the history of settlers and natives in North America. I've read The Ice-Shirt and Fathers and Crows, have Argall next to go. An ambitious set of novels as you can see -- ambitious enough to read too.

Here's the series link: http://www.goodreads.com/series/50204...
Four out, a fifth due this year

I haven't seen Thomas Fleming listed. Fabulous author and is often seen on American History documentaries. I've read quite a few of his works and can highly recommend all that I've read.The Wages of Fame
Over There
Dreams of Glory
Time and Tide
The Spoils of War -- a favorite of mine

Peter wrote: "Is there anything you would recommend on the War of 1812? My novels run in parallel charting events in Spain and France at that time and one or two characters might think they'd like a trip New Orl..."

Queen of Swords part of the wilderness series by Sara Donati

has anyone mentioned James Alexander Thomfor American Historical fiction

I don't know if you are interested in more recent history, but Joanna Hershon's newest novel A Dual Inheritance spends a good portion of its story in the 1950's and '60s and is a really fascinating study of class and religion during that time.

I just finished Cold Mountainand would highly recommend it.

I just finished by David Liss. It was an annoying start - the two POV characters seemed verbose and tedious. But it had some really positive reviews, so I persisted. By the end I loved it.

The story takes place in the early 1790's and concerns the Whiskey Rebellion and Alexander Hamilton. I recalled learning about the rebellion in history, but not much of it. This book illuminated the subject tremendously, plus it ended up being a lot of fun.

As others have stated, I have fond memories of Gwen Bristow's books, but I am not sure how available they are anymore.

I recently purchased Jubilee Trail and Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow from either Amazon or B&N. And I gotCalico Palace from PBS.