Where is some good historical fiction?

[markobeezy]

Hello all! I'm a huge fan of the historical fiction genre, notably authors Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.  In truth, I've attempted to style my own work after their examples. Unfortunately, they are the only 2 authors I can find that write any historical fiction that's worth a read. Any suggestions?

[Paul Reid]

If you haven't read Wilbur Smith you should give him a go. Fans of Cornwell often like Wilbur Smith too. But I recommend you read his earlier stuff - the last few books of his haven't been up to his usual standard...

[EGranfors]

Try Steven Pressfield and Frederick Chiaventonne (sp). I also really enjoyed Emma Donoghue's Slammerkin.

[Cheryl Bradshaw, Author]

Have you tried Suzanne Tyrpak? 

Here's a couple of her's:

http://www.amazon.com/Hetaera--Suspense-Ancient-Agathons-Daughter-ebook/dp/B006KYE4ZM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328129141&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Vestal-Virgin-Suspense-Ancient-Rome/dp/1460943147/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328129141&sr=1-4

[history_lover]

I've never read Cornwell because I'm not really into war and military novels but I picked this up as a freebie over Christmas and it sounds/looks similar to Cornwell:



The author is a member here so maybe he can confirm/deny my thinkings.

Amazon recommends the following as similar:



Both are the start of successful series.

[StephenLivingston]

Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is brilliant, give it a read if you haven't already done so.
Best wishes, Stephen Livingston.

[deckard]

Two authors I enjoy who write historical fiction are C.J. Sansom and David Liss.

Sansom writes about the time of Henry the VIII in England and centers around a lawyer Matthew Shardlake. Start with Dissolution, a murder mystery with the subplot of Henry's disbanding of the monasteries.

David Liss has books in the time period of the late 17th century or the 18th century. He has one in the late 1700s, The Whiskey Rebels, which takes place in America and one in more recent times, The Ethical Assassin----but that last one is not really historical fiction.

Deckard

[MyricaBlue]

I recently finished Caleb's Crossing: A Novel by Geraldine Brooks. Excellent fictional treatment of the first Wampanoag to graduate from Harvard in 17th century Massachusetts. I borrowed the Kindle edition from the library and zoomed over to Amazon to buy it (and a few more of her books) as soon as I finished it because I knew I'd want to read it again. Unfortunately, Penguin publishes her books and their Kindle editions are pricey, so I didn't end up buying any, but would still recommend it, even if you have to borrow the paper edition from the library.

[cate dean]

I'm a huge historical fan - and I found a great author who has several out> Her name is Sarah Woodbury - find her books here:

http://amzn.to/z3cSS4

I'm really enjoying them - and her website is fab: http://www.sarahwoodbury.com/

Hope this helps!

~Cate

[Andrew Ashling]

I loved Colleen McCullough's "Masters of Rome" series. Historically rather accurate.
Robert Graves' "I Claudius" and "Claudius the God" are classics, as is the Alexander-trilogy by Mary Renault, "Fire from Heaven," "The Persian Boy," and "Funeral Games."
If you really want something special: Josephine Tey's "The Daughter of Time" is about a modern day detective, who passes the time in hospital by trying to solve the mystery whether Richard III murdered his nephews, the princes in the Tower.

Hope this helps.

[Sean Patrick Fox]

If you don't mind reading older books, C.S. Forester's Hornblower novels are great, as are Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series. They're both English naval historical fiction.

[Krista D. Ball]

Jack Whyte!!!!!

[Sean Patrick Fox]

Jack Whyte!!!!!

+1

Camulod Chronicles (also known as A Dream of Eagles) is an excellent series.

The later books - Uther on - weren't quite as engaging, but they're definitely worth a read. Historical Arthurian fiction.

[winspearj]

Try Louisa Young's 'My Dear I Wanted to Tell You', set during the First World War. It's exceptionally well written, heartbreaking and factually exemplary.
Jonathan

[dgaughran]

I second the recommendation for CJ Sansom. I'm just finishing up "Dark Fire" and it's superb.

Set around the same time "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel is brilliant.

I don't usually go for the usual settings though (Rome, the Tudors, the Civil War), and prefer something a little more exotic/different.

All these are excellent:

"The Feast of the Goat" by Mario Vargas Llosa is set in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s as a group of rebels try and overthrow a brutal dictator.

"Who Killed Palomino Molero" by Mario Vargas Llosa is a noir murdery mystery set in rural Peru in the 1950s.

"The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" by Michael Chabon is set in 1930s New York and centers around a pair of comic-book artists (Stan Lee has a cameo).

"Birds Without Wings" by Louis de Bernieres is set in a small town in Western Turkey during World War I - probably the best historical I've read (everything by him is superb).

[BowlOfCherries]

Loved James Michener's earlier works such as Hawaii, Centennial, The Covenant, and Chesapeake.  His later works I did not enjoy so much.   Another one to check out (although not fiction) is "The Fatal Shore" by Robert Hughes about the founding of Australia.  He incorporated many original documents and letters home.  It was interesting to read about their experiences in their own words.

[Rejean]

I vote for Michener (again) and CJ Sansom. Both excellent.

[John Blackport]

I enjoyed "The Paladin" by George Shipway. About the struggles for the legacy of William the Bastard, and the 20-year affair between the protag (William of Tirel) and Isabel of Conches, a real-life warrior noblewoman of the time.

Come to think of it, I also enjoyed "The Paladin" by Brian Garfield. It's a succession of spy adventures adapted to how WW2 could've gone behind the scenes, but a lot of people don't consider 20th century spy novels "historical"

[Lursa (aka 9MMare)]

Oh good, some other people finally recommended Michener! I thought there was something wrong with me...or him.

Also, I think that Gone With the Wind is excellent historical fiction and a great story.

And Exodus by Leon Uris.

[mak44]

Here's a new one, just released and so compelling. "Wings" by Cynthia Lee Cartier

It takes place in WWII, when the Army instituted the WASP (Woman Airforce Service Pilots) program. The protagonist is such a sparklight; the historical world is richly imagined; the narrative voice is engaging, poignant and light at the same time; and the supporting characters are so much fun!

[Z.R.]

Margarett Mitchell - Gone With the Wind

[Rachel Donnelly]

You might try Patrick O'brian if you enjoy nautical tales.

[mscott9985]

I always liked Leon Uris, but I know he's not for everyone.  I also liked "Wild Swans" which may not be fiction, but is about three generations of women from China.  Also, Memoirs of a Geisha is very good.

[Andrew Dzeguze]

Second the recommendation for Liss (if you like Cornwall's era especially).  His background is in economics/finance, and his Benjamin Weaver novels (A Conspiracy of Paper, A Spectacle of Corruption and The Devil's Company) as well as a not quite prequel called The Coffee Trader explore the roots of the modern financial system in a very approachable way, while also being fun stories. 

I like Umberto Eco's historical work, too - The Name of the Rose and Baudolino especially.

[Lursa (aka 9MMare)]

I always liked Leon Uris, but I know he's not for everyone.  I also liked "Wild Swans" which may not be fiction, but is about three generations of women from China.  Also, Memoirs of a Geisha is very good.

I have Wild Swans on my Wish List and am hoping it someday comes out for Kindle. I prefer not to buy a hard copy but maybe I'll borrow it from the library.