Great Winter Reads
Looking for some history books to check out this winter? Look no further than our latest great reads list!
Tamim Ansary, The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection
Curious about how humans invented the idea of history? Tamim Ansary’s new book explores how the idea of history—and abstract thought—was first invented by early humans. He then traces how the idea of what history is and what it can do transformed across the following centuries.
Franny Moyle, The King's Painter: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein
Explore the art and genius of Hans Holbein, as reflected in the ever-changing world of Tudor England. Learn about some of his famous paintings and his connections to powerful leaders across Europe.
Ian Sanjay Patel, We're Here Because You Were There: Immigration and the End of Empire
Where do contemporary anti-immigration attitudes in Britain stem from? Patel explores the history of migration at the end of the British Empire, showing how the migration of many to the British Isles did not mark a break with an earlier era of imperialism but instead was its direct continuation.
David Rooney, About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks
Time is the foundation of history itself, but historians often overlook how humans have understood, measured, and calculated time. This new book shows how the measurement of time has shaped the modern world.
Karl Schlögel, The Scent of Empires: Chanel No. 5 and Red Moscow
Can a drop of perfume tell the story of the twentieth century? Find out in this new book that explores the intertwined histories of two of the world’s most famous perfumes: Chanel No. 5 and Red Moscow.
Michael Wood, The Story of China: A Portrait of a Civilisation and its People
This lengthy volume covers the history of China across the past 4000 years. It bring together new research into the ancient past as well as new sources from the contemporary period.
Looking to do more history work this winter?
Circa works directly with high school students to teach them the skills of history.