Les Misérables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows the lives and interactions of several characters, particularly the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.Examining the nature of law and grace, the novel elaborates upon the history of France, the architecture and urban design of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love.View our entire collection of podcasts at www.solgood.orgAll Librivox recordings are in the public domain more

Fall asleep with the ultimate comfort bedtime stories: the works of Jane Austen! Each episode we'll read a section of Jane Austen's work aloud in a soothing voice, set to relaxation music, to help you get to sleep. more

A show about queer women in history and historic literature, plus coverage of the field of sapphic historical fiction. Content note: May include discussions of sex within an academic context. more

Find out what makes great, arts-inspired fiction in a variety of genres, from mysteries to crime novels, historical fiction, thrillers, contemporary fiction, and more. Art In Fiction founder and author Carol M. Cram chats with some of the top novelists featured on Art In Fiction, a curated online database of books inspired by the arts. Discover your next great read and get valuable advice on what it takes to be a successful writer. more

Welcome to Five or Flop, a podcast for the best (and worst) historical fiction has to offer! Each week, we'll be reading and reviewing a different historical fiction book on a scale from flop to five. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @fiveorflop_pod for all the latest updates! Have a book you want us to read? Send us a recommendation: https://forms.gle/1JroxLkK157zpa9N8 more

Interview with Writers of Historical Fiction about their New BooksSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/historical-fiction more

Jane Healey is the bestselling author of several books of historical fiction and the host of Historical Happy Hour, a live interview and podcast featuring premiere historical fiction authors and their latest novels: 'One of my favorite things as a writer is to talk to other writers. In each episode, I will interview a historical fiction author with a brand new book coming out. We'll talk all about their latest novel, but also discuss their writing process and research, and their life beyond being an author.'  Healey's new Cold War spy novel, The Women of Arlington Hall, releases July 8th, 2025 and is available now for pre-order. more

It's 1721, and London is abuzz with news of notorious pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, currently languishing in Newgate Prison. It's the perfect time for debt-ridden journalist Nathaniel Mist to exploit the public appetite and ghost-write a sensational (and hopefully best-selling) history of pirates. But as the balladeers and gossips on the streets of London build myths around the blood-thirsty, perverse lady pirates, Mist is forced to reckon with the real Bonny & Read... Featuring musical sensation Christina Bianco, actress and comedian Sooz Kempner, Hamilton star Karl Queensborough, drag legend Le Gateau Chocolat, and more.BBC Audio Drama Awards 'Best Podcast' and British Podcast Awards 'Best Fiction' Nominee 2022. more

This podcast is taken from the popular House of Mystery radio show heard on KCAA 106.5 F.M. Los Angeles/1050 A.M. Palm Springs and brings you the episodes that covered Historical Fiction , the writers who bring them to you, and the research taken to accomplish these stories. Hosted by Alan R. Warren and cohosted by 'spy Devils' Joe Goldberg and 'Wolves of Vengeance' David North-Martino. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

The Historical Bookworm Podcast is for lovers of history and fans of Inspirational Historical Fiction. It's a unique interview show with a historical spin! Find out more at HistoricalBookworm.com more

History Through Fiction founder and editor Colin Mustful talks with historical novelists about their craft of weaving history and fiction to create engaging, historically detailed stories. more

A what-if scripted audio drama based on the oldest unsolved cold case in human history: the murder of 'Otzi The Iceman', found perfectly preserved in ice after 5,300 years... with an arrowhead mysteriously lodged in his shoulder.A production of Voyage Media, starring Ethan Suplee (Remember the Titans, American History X, The Wolf of Wall Street).Based on the novel Relic: The Copper Ax: The Tragic Story of Otzi the Iceman by Bill Copeland, available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Rélic-Copper-Ax-Tragic-Iceman/dp/1649086768/) more

The Scarlet Pimpernel narrates the story of a rich English baronet who rescues French aristocrats facing the guillotine. He also taunted his enemies after each rescue by leaving behind a card that has a small flower on it the scarlet pimpernel. It is a brilliant adventure story set at the time of the French Revolution. The plot is fantastic and rarely lets the readers pause for breath as it oscillates between London society and the dark night in Coastal France. The story follows a beautiful Countess who escapes from Paris as a committee there was making arrangements to send her to the guillotine. She is smuggled out by the Scarlet Pimpernel and brought to England. There she encounters young people who are part of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel and all have sworn to live and die for their leader. There is also Lady Blakeney, the wife of one of the most fashionable gentlemen in England, who is threatened by the French Ambassador to find information about the Scarlet Pimpernel. She successfully gathers the required information that would identify the man. The final stages of the book take place in France where everyone is vying to discover the hero's true identity. The Scarlet Pimpernel depends much on illusion and is a master of disguise. There is little doubt that the author is a master storyteller and the tension is successfully sustained till the climax of the story is reached in the final pages of the book. The background is historical and very complex in nature but it has been successfully used to weave an enthralling adventure story. It is a fantastic story written along the styles of Alexandre Dumas and won't disappoint the adventure seeker in you. more

Return with us to those thrilling days of yesteryear as Mike Vendetti narrates this early Zane Grey novel of hardy pioneers taming the wild west. Yes, despite the difficult times, romance flourishes and the bad guys are eliminated almost single handedly as our heroes Jonathan Zane and his sidekick Lew 'Deathwind' Wetzel fight their way through mud, blood, gore, savage Indians, and despicable outlaws, to make the land safe for pioneer families as they settle the wild west. more

Considered a change agent in early Gothic romance; oft-referenced in later literary works or paid homage to by such authors as Jane Austen (influential novel ready by her heroine, Catherine Morland, in Northanger Abbey); Edgar Allen Poe (borrowed plot elements for the short story The Oval Portrait); and Sir Walter Scott. In The Mysteries of Udolpho, one of the most famous and popular gothic novels of the eighteenth century, Ann Radcliffe took a new tack from her predecessors and portrayed her heroine's inner life, creating an atmosphere thick with fear, and providing a gripping plot that continues to thrill readers today. The Mysteries of Udolpho, set in Europe in the year 1584, is the story of orphan Emily St. Aubert, who finds herself separated from the man she loves and confined within the medieval castle of her aunt's new husband, Montoni, after being forced to travel through France and Italy. Inside the castle, she must cope with an unwanted suitor, Montoni's threats, and the wild imaginings and terrors that threaten to overwhelm her. The mysterious happenings in the story always have a natural and probable explanation because Radcliffe was a very rational person and did not believe in the supernatural. Radcliffe's strengths in writing were in describing scenery as well as suspense and terror. Many critics have called the work 'dreamlike' and 'suggestive of the cinematic technique of slow-motion.'(Summary by Wikipedia/Michelle Crandall) more

Mark Twain's work on Joan of Arc is titled in full 'Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de Conte.' De Conte is identified as Joan's page and secretary. For those who've always wanted to 'get behind' the Joan of Arc story and to better understand just what happened, Twain's narrative makes the story personal and very accessible. The work is fictionally presented as a translation from the manuscript by Jean Francois Alden, or, in the words of the published book, 'Freely Translated out of the Ancient French into Modern English from the Original Unpublished Manuscript in the National Archives of France.'It was originally published as a serialization in Harper's Magazine beginning in 1895 and later published in book form in 1896. However the Harper's editors decided to cut 12 chapters that describe much of Joan's Great Trial, saying the chapters were not suitable for serialization since, 'They will not bear mutilation or interruption, but must be read as a whole, as one reads a drama.' This recording contains the complete text! De Conte is a fictionalized version of Joan of Arc's page Louis de Contes, and provides narrative unity to the story. He is presented as an individual who was with Joan during the three major phases of her life as a youth in Domremy, as the commander of Charles' army on military campaign, and as a defendant at the trial in Rouen. The book is presented as a translation by Alden of de Conte's memoirs, written in his later years for the benefit of his descendants. Twain based his descriptions of Joan of Arc on his daughter, Susy Clemens, as he remembered her at the age of seventeen. Twain said, 'I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others needed no preparation and got none.' more

First published in 1915, The Sea Hawk follows the adventures of its protagonist Sir Oliver Tressilian, as he is unjustly betrayed and left to the mercy of others by his selfish brother, who seeks only to save his own skin no matter the cost. Exploring various themes including betrayal, vengeance, sacrifice, injustice, and tormented love, the novel successfully demonstrate Sabatini's exceptional flair for adventure.Set in the late 16th century, the tale begins with the introduction of Sir Oliver Tressilian, a wealthy gentleman who lives together with his brother Lionel, haunted by his family's bad-tempered reputation. Aware of his irascible nature, Sir Oliver is adamant in controlling the unpleasant characteristic in order to prove himself worthy in the eyes of his love, Rosamund Goldolphin. However, the Tressilians and Godolphins have a history of mutual contempt, and this is enough reason for Rosamund's reckless brother Peter to detest his sister's betrothed. Making no attempt to hide his dislike, Peter insults Sir Oliver in the company of several nobles, but Sir Oliver is determined to keep his promise to Rosamund that no harm will come to Peter from him, and so dismisses the issue. Subsequently, Peter is found dead as a result of a fatal duel, incidentally occurring without any witnesses, between himself and Lionel over a woman they were both involved with. Considering his previous public humiliation, all fingers are pointed at Sir Oliver as the murderer. Swayed by family loyalty, he chooses not to reveal his brother's guilt, and is instead shunned by society and Rosamund, while Lionel does not do much to redeem his brother's reputation either. To make matters even worse, Sir Oliver is not only framed for murder and spurned by his fiancée, but his scheming brother further arranges to have him kidnapped, and sold as a slave in Barbary. Betrayed by those he values most, Sir Oliver becomes engulfed by hate and is guided solely by his thirst for revenge, which in turn results in his complete transformation.Needless to say, Sabatini offers a swashbuckling novel that is guaranteed to mesmerize its audience with it copious supply of thrilling adventure, action, excitement, romance, melodrama, and exotic locations. Furthermore, Sabatini offers an intricate plot, a vibrant set of characters, and historical elements that classifies The Sea Hawk as a gripping tale and an indisputable page-turner. more

'Harlem Queen' is a Black historical fiction audio drama based on the life and times of Black, woman, 'gangster' Madame Stephanie St. Clair during the Harlem Renaissance (the story takes place around 1926-32). Madame St. Clair had a powerful impact on building the Harlem community underground and aboveground and defining the Harlem Renaissance. Our goal is for you to be entertained, educated, empowered and uplifted after hearing this amazing story! Written and independently produced by Yhane Washington Smith an A' Lelia Bundles Scholar at Columbia University. You can follow on Instagram: @Yhane.Writes, our web site: YhaneWashingtonSmith.com, email: HarlemQueenAudioDrama@gmail.com. or our newsletter: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ And our Patreon to raise money to continue making this show: https://www.patreon.com/harlemqueen Thank you for listening! more

It is London, 1885 — an alternate history, where the computer age has come 150 years early. In this world of airships, automatons, and computational engines, a family of Victorian science geniuses match wits and weapons against a criminal mastermind for the fate of the Empire. more

Gossiping about the past, one movie at a time. Hosts Tizia von Bibra and Christina Obolenskaya chat about their favorite historical fiction adaptations and dissect the history behind them, unpacking what life really looked like across different centuries. Join the community of the Blue Stockings! more

Reviews, author interviews, and discussion about the best in Christian historical fiction.

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn't all that grips Stanton.Lincoln's successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.Listen to 1865 on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/1865 now.1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more. more

A vast empire threatened by rebellion. A fiction podcast on an epic scale set in the most powerful city on earth... Visit www.tumanbay.com to see full credits and download scripts. Can't get enough of the Tumanbay universe? The first Tumanbay novel, 'The City of a Thousand Faces' by Walker Dryden, is now available. more

Dearest is an epistolary podcast that hearkens back to the post-Civil War era of the 1870s with a mysterious love story that takes place along the banks of the Ohio River.Adapted from the 2007 novel of the same name by author and playwright Michael London, the story of Dearest unfolds its tale through a series of letters, each released per episode, echoing the date atop every letter.Subscribe to be notified if the postman's come: https://bit.ly/dearestpost more

Pieces of Eight is a cinematic audio drama podcast set in the brutal, blood-soaked world of piracy during the age of empire. Inspired by Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, this original series follows the rise of pirate legends across the Indian Ocean, where ambition, betrayal, and survival collide beneath black sails. Told through immersive sound design, voice acting, and richly written narration, Pieces of Eight brings to life a world where every coin has a cost, and the sea remembers all. For fans of historical and video game fiction, high-stakes adventure, and tales forged in salt and fire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

It's New Year's Eve,1942, WWII is raging, and Liberty Johannsen, a young chambermaid in Boston's tony Back Bay, is kicked out of the only job and home she's ever known after fighting off unwanted advances from the Governor's son.Nicknamed Songbird thanks to her beautiful voice, Libby takes a new position at the grand Fairmont Copley hotel in Boston,  where she makes the acquaintance of blue-blooded composer Francis Key, unexpectedly becoming his muse…and soon, something much more.Until Libby's fiancé, Boston Globe photographer Clancy Armstrong, returns from the front. Libby faces a devastating choice, one that will affect not only these three lives but the course of American history forever.A sweeping historical romance from New York Times and international bestseller Jenna Blum, author of Those Who Save Us and The Lost Family, THE KEY OF LOVE showcases one woman's fierce love and burning ambition as she makes an impossible decision while the fate of the world is up for grabs.THE KEY OF LOVE is an Emerald Audio production, in partnership with Real Jetpack productions . Join the Hidden Gems clubfor VIP perks and exclusive bonus content by going to www.emeraldaudio.net.Find us on social @emeraldaudionetworkCheck out other podcasts from Emerald Audio: Rainbow Girl by Jane GreenRead Jenna Blum's latest novel Woodrow on the Bench more

It is March, 1915 in France, and just behind the front lines a woman is running for her life. She does not run from enemy soldiers or falling mortars; a far more sinister creature stalks her, one created by bloodshed and black magic. This is the newest threat in a war growing uglier by the day, and it won't be the last. Or the worst. But this woman is not a civilian. As a knight of the Order of Joan, she is only one of a legion of women with a long history of monster hunting. So when she runs, she does not do so blindly; it's all part of the larger plan. The Harrowing of Minerva Damson is an action-horror podcast. Interested in supporting the Order and its knights? Join us on Patreon at patreon.com/theharrowingofminervadamson , or donate on Acast at supporter.acast.com/the-harrowing-of-minerva-damson . If you'd like to browse the latest Order war bulletins, you can visit our website at www.orderofjoanheadquarters.com or follow us on Instagram @theharrowingofminerva . The Harrowing of Minerva Damson is a Goblin Booth Production. Listen to the latest episodes, browse merch, and discover more of our programming on our YouTube channel, Goblin Booth Productions , or our website here . Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-harrowing-of-minerva-damson . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

After a fateful meeting abroad, the enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo arrives in Paris to establish a new life. Though he soon becomes a cornerstone of high society, mysterious and tragic happenings quickly follow - threatening the Parisian upper class in unimaginable ways. As star-crossed lovers, scheming sycophants, and ambitious criminals strive for what they think they deserve, questions arise about Paris' new, fabulously wealthy resident. Not just about why the Count of Monte Cristo has come to Paris, but about the secrets that lurk behind his inscrutable facade. more

The Red Badge of Courage is a fiction that tells the story of a soldier named Henry Fleming during the American Civil War. The novel gained widespread praise from critics and was also a commercial success shortly after its release and made Stephen Crane an instant celebrity at the young age of 24. In the novel, Henry was one of the enlisted soldiers in the 304th New York Regiment. He flees from battle in one of the skirmishes they had against the Confederates and to hide his cowardice, he attempted to inflict a wound to himself which is referred to as the 'red badge of courage.' He got the wound that he wants to have when he joins a group of fellow soldiers retreating from the battlefield. One of them accidentally hit his head with a rifle butt and wounded him. When he came back to their camp, the other soldiers there quickly treated his wound believing that he got it during the battle. After this incident, he again went back to the battlefield and was able to prove that he was really a capable solider. Most critics praise this novel because of the very realistic way in which Crane was able to describe all the battle scenes in the story. He was born after the Civil War and had not even experienced a fight in any war. It's very interesting to know that Crane was able to write a very realistic novel about the War just by reading other novels about it and listening to the stories told by war veterans in New York. Readers who are into historical war novels will definitely have a great time reading this book. Although it's a work of fiction, its contents are very realistic and accurate. This is very important especially for a story with a historical setting. This book will definitely not disappoint anyone who's looking to read a good novel about the Civil War. more

The Three Musketeers follows the adventures of the young Gascon nobleman, D'Artagnan and his three trusted friends who served as musketeers in the king's regiment Athos, Porthos & Aramis. Written by Alexandre Dumas, the book was a bestseller during the time of its publication and it remains so even today. It follows the timeless theme of friendship and bravery.The main protagonist of the story is D'Artagnan who travels to Paris to realize his dreams of becoming one of the musketeers for the king. But things start to fall apart from the very beginning when his cherished letter of introduction is stolen by a mysterious gentleman. D'Artagnon reaches Paris and becomes friends with the 'The Three Musketeers' and seems to settle down comfortably in accordance with the scheme of life that was prevalent in the 17th century Paris. However, as expected, the peace did not last long as D'Artagnan and his friends get embroiled in an intriguing web of conspiracy in the fight for power among the people of the upper echelons. The matter gets further complicated by the introduction of a mysterious woman who is very beautiful but is more than what she projects herself to be. The author employs well-crafted narrative skills to give this enthralling novel a dramatic yet gripping conclusion. But do the heroes of the story manage to escape the agents of the Cardinals? Can they protect the honour of the queen? You will soon find out as this adventurous tale will keep you hooked till you finish. The book is written from the perspective of D'Artagnan. It is a real classic and is perfect for light reading. The style of narration followed by Dumas is very light and leaves no space for any kind of philosophical subtext. No wonder, The Three Musketeers is one of the most popular historical romances. more

The History of the Plague in London is a historical novel offering an account of the dismal events caused by the Great Plague, which mercilessly struck the city of London in 1665. First published in 1722, the novel illustrates the social disorder triggered by the outbreak, while focusing on human suffering and the mere devastation occupying London at the time.Defoe opens his book with the introduction of his fictional character H.F., a middle-class man who decides to wait out the destruction of the plague instead of fleeing to safety, and is presented only by his initials throughout the novel. Consequently, the narrator records many distressing stories as experienced by London residents, including craze affected people wandering the streets aimlessly, locals trying to escape the disease infected city, and healthy families forced to confine themselves behind closed doors. Apart from these second-hand accounts, the narrator also provides a thorough explanation on how quarantine was managed and kept under control. In addition, he seeks to debunk all squalid rumors which have produced a false interpretation of the bubonic plague. However, not everything is bleak in the account, as the novel offers some affirmative evidence that humanity is still capable of charity, kindness and mercy even in the midst of chaos and confusion. Although regarded as a work of fiction, the author engrosses with his insertion of statistics, government reports and charts which further validate the novel as a precise portrayal the Great Plague.Furthermore, Defoe offers a systematic approach to his depiction of the Great Plague as he presents a detailed assessment of the death toll, while also identifying specific locations heavily stricken by the epidemic, and analyzing sets of rumors and anecdotes relating to the disaster. Nevertheless, The History of the Plague in London is highly valuable due its direct treatment of the issues and its historical veracity, which absorbs and transports the audience to a haunting 17th century London. more

An adventure novel with an unexpected hero, Captain Blood follows the unintended journey of chivalrous and well-educated gentleman Peter Blood, who without much choice was plunged into the world of piracy forcing him to leave his tranquil lifestyle behind. Sabatini first introduced his protagonist in a series of eight short stories published in magazine installments, until later weaving them together in 1922 as a novel. Set in the late 17th century, the novel begins with the image of Peter Blood, a physician, casually attending his geraniums and smoking a pipe. However, things in the quiet town of Bridgewater are everything but ordinary. The town is in the midst of the Monmouth rebellion and despite not wanting to take part in the matter, Blood's duty as a doctor prevails as he goes to tend the wounded rebels. Unfortunately for Blood, his duty of caring for the wounded is seen as aiding the rebellion and after being put to trial, he is unjustly convicted of treason and sentenced to slavery. Following his imprisonment and services to the malignant Colonel Bishop, Blood plans an escape with fellow captives from their miserable conditions and treatment. Fortunately, all is not gloomy in the life of the protagonist, as he also experiences the enchantment of love as he becomes acquainted with Bishop's kind-hearted niece Arabella. Captain Blood is marked by its exciting high seas adventures, exotic locations, historical elements, clever characters, romance, and its generous contribution of swashbuckling. Cast away from his tedious lifestyle as a physician, Blood must rise and take responsibility as his character develops to fit the description of the very rebel he initially opposed. Apart from creating an interesting piece of literature, Sabatini shows his determination for precision as he keeps the historical background in the book as close to the actual events as possible. Moreover, the memorable characteristics of the protagonist leave readers returning to his gripping adventures. A tempting fusion of love, high seas adventure, swashbuckling, and clever maneuvering allures one to capture every detail in this classic. more

Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for 'robbing from the rich and giving to the poor', assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his 'Merry Men'. Traditionally Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes. The origin of the legend is claimed by some to have stemmed from actual outlaws, or from ballads or tales of outlaws. more

The infamous U boats deployed by Germany in the two World Wars have spawned several works of fiction and non-fiction. These deadly vessels were not just efficient and lethal killing machines, but they were also used very effectively in economic blockades. They were positioned primarily to obstruct the conveyance of fuel, food and other essential supplies which the enemy needed to sustain the war effort.In the Diary of a U Boat Commander, the author, Stephen King-Hall draws upon his vast personal experiences as a naval officer in World War I. Writing under the name of the fictitious narrator, Etienne, King-Hall presents the events in the story in the form of a diary that has been discovered aboard a captured German U boat.The diarist is a German nobleman of the rank of Captain in the German Navy. He is drawn in the almost clichéd pattern of German aristocrats of the time—young, handsome, wealthy and immensely arrogant. He is also cultured and skilled in several of the arts like music and literature. His career has been an illustrious one and on several occasions he has outwitted the English navy. On furlough in Bruges, he falls irrevocably in love with Zoe, the Polish mistress of one of his superior officers, and she reciprocates his feelings. However, extraordinary events interrupt their love story and Zoe's terrible past comes back to haunt them both.William Stephen Richard King-Hall or Baron King-Hall of Headley to give him his full title, came from an illustrious family of artists and writers. At the end of World War I, he resigned from the Royal Navy and went on to become a full time writer. As the author of several successful plays, political and historical works and some children's books, he gained popularity. He also wrote a scholarly thesis on submarine warfare. He was also a well-known advocate of parliamentary democracy, unilateral nuclear disarmament and non-violent defense against war.He wrote more than fifteen fiction and non-fiction books and was well regarded in his time for being an authority on naval subjects. Diary of a U Boat Commander portrays the excitement, challenges and heartbreak of the situation in a very authentic way. In fact, initially, the reader is almost beguiled into believing that this is indeed a real diary written by a real person—such is the author's skill.For those who are passionate about sea-faring stories or war sagas, this is indeed a great addition to your bookshelf! more

Ben-Hur is a story of two very different heroes. Judah Ben-Hur, a prince of Jerusalem, is involved in an accident to the Roman procurator which is taken to be intentional. He is seized and sent to the fleet as a galley-slave, while his family is imprisoned and the family goods confiscated. When Ben-Hur saves the fleet captain from drowning after his ship is sunk in a fight with pirates, that officer adopts him as son and heir. With Roman training, Ben-Hur distinguishes himself in the arena and the palistrae and appears to be on the way to high military command.With the help of a faithful family retainer and a generous Arab sheik, Ben-Hur is enabled to take part in a widely touted chariot race, where one of the other charioteers is the boyhood friend who connived to punish him for the accident and split his estate. That rival is crippled, financially and bodily, in a no-holds-barred race (memorable from the 1959 movie with Charlton Heston).Ben-Hur turns his attention to the prophesied King of the Jews, when through the sheik he meets Balthasar, one of the Three Wise Men, and hears of the child born years ago. Will Ben-Hur be the general who brings victories to the King, and finally liberates Israel from the oppressive Roman yoke? In his quest for the answer, Ben-Hur seeks out the Nazarene, now rumored to be The Messiah.THAT hero needs no introduction.Curious about the lack of kingly trappings and ambitions about this man, Ben-Hur begins to suspect that his kingdom is not of this world. And with him, we receive a gut-wrenching eye-witness view of Jesus' arrest, humiliation, and crucifixion. more

A poor young boy from the slums of London watches a royal procession pass, with the youthful Prince of Wales riding at its head. He ventures too close and is caught and beaten by the Prince's guards. However, the young royal stops them and invites the vagrant to the palace. Here the two boys sup alone and are stunned to discover that they bear a startling resemblance to each other. The Prince is Edward, long awaited heir of the monarch, Henry VIII, while the vagrant is Tom Canty, the son of a thief and a beggar. Edward is fascinated by the free and unfettered life that Tom leads, while Tom is overawed by the wealth and luxury of the palace. The boys decide to switch clothes. From here, adventure begins for both of them!First published in 1881, The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain is the famous American writer and humorist's first foray into historical fiction. Set in the sixteenth century Tudor court of Henry VIII, the book is reputedly Mark Twain's most carefully plotted novel. Great attention has been paid to setting, dialog and character. Early plot devices are carefully constructed to become invaluable features that carry the story along. Several real historical figures appear in the book.It is also a novel of contrasts. The two boys, born on exactly the same day, have completely different destinies. Before they meet, they each have dreams that are very different from their circumstances. Edward longs to be free to roam the streets at will, unhampered by court protocol and conventions. Tom yearns for security, comfort and the certainty of knowing where his next meal will come from.Twain also explores ideas of conventional wisdom that deem 'Clothes Maketh a Man' which implies that appearances are everything. Being a voracious reader of history himself, Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens to give his real name) was able to use some of the material he had absorbed in The Prince and The Pauper. He faithfully renders Tudor English that he also displays in the other books Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.The thrilling climax of the novel, which takes place just days before Henry VIII's death, and the coronation of the new king, is one that brings all the threads of this exciting tale together. The Prince and The Pauper has been widely adapted on screen, stage and television. Comics, animated versions, a Mickey Mouse version and many more have continued to explore this very interesting theme of switched identities. Disney films like Parent Trap, a Barbie version, a film version in Hindi, and several musical adaptations have kept this timeless classic alive. more

A beautiful woman who is punished for the mortal sin of loving a man other than her husband, a cowardly lover, a vengeful husband, a rebellious illegitimate child and the oppressive and patriarchal morality of 17th century Puritanism in Boston. Together these form an unforgettable and thought-provoking glimpse of how much social attitudes have changed over the centuries. Nathaniel Hawthorne was the creator of such beloved works as Twice-Told Tales, A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls, The House of the Seven Gables and spine-chilling tales like Roger Malvin's Burial. Scion of an old Puritan family from Salem, Massachusetts, Hawthorne was familiar with the old traditions of the area. He began writing in college and worked as a customs surveyor to earn his livelihood while pursuing his passion for creative writing. His friendship with Ralph Waldo Emerson broadened his horizons considerably and he experimented with movements like Transcendentalism. The Scarlet Letter is a deeply disturbing novel about gender discrimination, women's oppression, male dominated society and authoritarian religions. Set in 17th century Boston, its lovely heroine Hester Prynne, is accused of adultery and giving birth to an illegitimate child in the absence of her husband. The punishment mandated for this crime is to be paraded and vilified in public with a scarlet letter A affixed to her chest, signifying 'adulteress.' She refuses to name her partner in crime. The missing husband arrives fortuitously at that very moment, but does not reveal himself to Hester or the public. Intent on revenge, he devises an elaborate plot to destroy his wife and her nameless lover. The book was an instantaneous hit when it was first published and touched a chord with readers all over the world, both men and women. It was the first book to be published on a mass scale in the United States. However, religious establishments were critical of the book's attempt to countermand the rules of the Church and promote immorality. Generations of readers have been struck by its compassion, depth and deep human concern. The strong plot and memorable characters have rendered it uniquely suited to adaptations for stage, film, television and radio. The Scarlet Letter remains a masterpiece of wonderful story-telling, full of dramatic moments, secrets and mysteries and above all, for the modern reader, it's an excellent read! more

When Hank Morgan, a practical, no-nonsense Yankee who works in an ammunition factory as a head superintendent gets into a fight with an aggressive employee, little does he know what's in store for him. The bully lays Morgan low with a skull-crushing blow delivered with a crowbar and knocks him out. When Morgan regains consciousness, he finds himself transported back in time, to the sixth century. From here on, the story describes the travails of a hard-boiled, true blue American with strong democratic values who has to deal with medieval feudalism and ancient customs!A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court was published in 1889. Mark Twain wrote it after the great success of his early novels, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. His first book, Innocents Abroad had met with a lukewarm reception. Connecticut Yankee... met with mixed reactions. Some regarded it as a great piece of historical fiction. In Britain, it was seen as an attack on their history and culture.Laced with Twain's inimitable brand of irreverent humor, the book portrays the sheer absurdity of romanticizing the past. If people in modern times thought Camelot and the legends of the Knights was the perfect world to live in, Twain wanted to show them otherwise. He also sought to strike a balance between the mindless worship of technology and so called 'progress.' Hank Morgan also tries to modernize the past! He tries to educate the medieval people about machines, science and tries to dispel their superstitious beliefs in magic.Many of the famous Knights of the Round Table feature in this book. Other characters like Morgan Le Fay, Merlin, King Arthur and Queen Guinevere also appear, in tandem with many of Twain's own creations. Mark Twain's own disillusionment with industrialization and his exploration of the concept of time travel are described in the book. It was in this sense one of the earliest examples of this genre of science fiction.A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's court has been extensively adapted to stage, radio, screen and television. Since the first silent version in 1921, the book has found favor with Hollywood and a variety of stars have played roles in the films. Disney adaptations, various spoofs and spinoffs, animated versions and references in other books have ensured that the book's popularity never wanes.For Mark Twain enthusiasts and readers who love humor blended with some historical fiction, this is indeed a great addition to their collection! more

The Last of the Mohicans is an epic novel by James Fenimore Cooper, first published in January 1826.It was one of the most popular English-language novels of its time, and helped establish Cooper as one of the first world-famous American writers.The story takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian War, when France and Great Britain battled for control of the American and Canadian colonies. During this war, the French often allied themselves with Native American tribes in order to gain an advantage over the British, with unpredictable and often tragic results. more

Set during the Hundred Years' War with France, The White Company tells the story of a young Saxon man who is learning what it is to be a knight. Raised by Cistercian Monks and rejected by a violent elder brother, Alleyn Edricson takes service with one of the foremost knights in the country. When Alleyn falls in love with the knight's daughter, he must prove himself to be a courageous and honourable knight before he can win her hand. Alleyn and his friends set forth with the other men-at-arms to join Prince Edward in Bordeaux, from where they will take part in the Prince's campaign into Spain. It is in Spain that Alleyn and others must prove themselves to be very valiant and hardy cavaliers. more

If you've watched and loved Winona Ryder playing the innocent May Welland in the 1993 film adaptation of Edith Wharton's sweeping novel about class-consciousness in nineteenth century America, you will certainly enjoy reading the original. Though Martin Scorcese's brilliant work was certainly true to the spirit of the original novel, no film can reproduce the charm of language and turn of phrase employed by one of America's greatest writers. The Age of Innocence was Edith Wharton's 12th novel and is located in familiar Wharton territory. The genteel snobbery of the upper classes with its underlying cruelty and heartless judgments passed on those who cross the line is wonderfully depicted in The Age of Innocence. The story opens at a glittering music concert, featuring the wonderful opera singer Christine Nilsson singing Faust at the Music Academy in New York. In the high-society club boxes, the leading lights of New York society train their opera glasses on the crowd, occasionally throwing a sniping remark or two. Newland Archer, a young, handsome, wealthy lawyer whose privileged background is matched only by that of his new fiancée, May Welland. As the self satisfied and complacent Archer surveys the crowd in the opera theater, he overhears two men gossiping about a lady who has just entered a nearby opera box. She is Ellen Olenska, the recent widow of a Polish count, who had shocked society a few years earlier by first marrying a complete outsider and then running away from him to live alone in various cities across Europe. For Archer, the issue is complicated by the fact that Ellen is his beloved May's first cousin. What follows has a devastating impact on the lives of everyone who is connected with the cousins. The story traces the roots of social prejudices and is an absolutely frank and fearless look at the hypocrisy, double standards and betrayals that people indulge in, in the name of 'good form.' The Age of Innocence is filled with memorable characters like the elderly gossip Sillerton Jackson, who is not just considered to be an authority on 'families' but also possesses an indelible memory about every single scandal and mystery that has occurred in the claustrophobic Manhattan society of the day. The Age of Innocence won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 and takes its title from a famous eighteenth century English painting by Joshua Reynolds. It was initially serialized in 1920 in the Pictorial Review magazine, but later compiled into a book and published in the following year. As a ruthless and bitter commentary on the social mores of the day, The Age of Innocence is certainly an insightful book to enjoy. more

Its immortal opening lines, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' set the stage for a sweeping narrative that combines drama, glory, honor, history, romance, brutality, sacrifice and resurrection.A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens is one of the most widely read and famous works of historical fiction in the English language. Dickens had recently launched his magazine All the Year Round in 1859. In the same year, he began featuring A Tale of Two Cities in 31 weekly installments in his new magazine. The book was eventually combined into a single copy and split into three major sections as it is presented today.In this epic tale of love and tragedy set during the turbulent times of the French Revolution in 1789, the motif of two's appears constantly as opposing sides of the same coin. London and Paris are the two cities, Sidney Carton and Charles Darnay are the two heroes, Lucie Manette and Madame Defarge are the pure and evil women respectively, and these along with shadows and darkness, sacrifice and dishonor, brutality and spirituality form the recurring dual motifs in the novel.Sidney Carton, a young, debauched and dissolute English barrister defends a young French aristocrat Charles Darnay accused of treason in London. The two bear a striking resemblance to each other. Lucie Manette, a lovely young French girl and her father Dr. Manette, who had suffered under the atrocities of the nobility in France, now live a quiet life in London. Charles and Lucie are in love, but Sidney Carton also falls in love with her. Meanwhile in France, the storm of revolution is about to break. A wine store owner and Dr. Manette's former servant, Monsieur Defarge, leads the revolutionaries. His wife, Madame Defarge is a vicious woman who revels in cruelty. She too has suffered under the aristocratic regime and now seeks to destroy all those who persecuted her. Charles Darnay returns to Paris to rescue an old servant of his who has been captured by the revolutionaries. He is captured by the rebels and condemned to be executed by guillotine. The story then takes several dramatic twists and turns before reaching its final and most unexpected conclusion.As one of the most exciting and deeply moving stories penned by a brilliant and gifted story teller, A Tale of Two Cities is indeed a riveting and unforgettable experience for readers of all ages. more

Author Alison Treat hosts this weekly podcast focused on her favorite genre. Listen in to her conversations with historical fiction authors about their work. They unpack how the medium of story draws us in, ignites our curiosity, and informs us about the past, so that we can better live in the present. more