30 Great Books That Made History

Today, many readers could easily list thirty classic authors, or thirty classic works of art, literature, music, philosophy, or science. But would they be able to name thirty classic works of history? In spite of history's outsized influence in the world of ideas, the books that made—and remade—the history we know so well are often forgotten.

In this panoramic book, distinguished historian Jaume Aurell sets out to introduce readers to a new canon of historical writing. Taking a global approach, he places the work of Herodotus, Thucydides, Gibbon, Michelet, and Braudel alongside masterpieces from a myriad of periods and civilizations, from Sima Qian, Anna Komnene, al-Masudi, and Fukuzawa Yukichi to Edmundo O'Gorman, C. L. R. James, and Natalie Zemon Davis.

At the same time, Aurell argues that we should not see these books as a definitive canon. Instead, any canon should be seen as a list-in-progress to be contested and debated anew with each generation. It is only by being exposed to these diverse and deeply significant works that we can fully perceive the shape of the discipline, and carve out a new appreciation for the art of history writing.

30 Great Books That Made History is an insightful and engaging guide designed to broaden our understanding and inspire a renewed passion for the art of historical discourse.