Below are some of the best nonfiction ancient history books out there, divided into subcategories. Click the book or the link to pick up a copy.
→ Ancient Greece
→ Ancient Egypt
→ Ancient China
Ancient Greece
Mythos by Stephen Fry
“Celebrating the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths, Mythos breathes life into ancient tales—from Pandora’s box to Prometheus’s fire.”
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton
“For more than seven decades readers have chosen this book above all others to discover the enchanting world of mythology — from Odysseus’s adventure-filled journey to the Norse god Odin’s effort to postpone the final day of doom. This deluxe, hardcover edition is fully-illustrated throughout with all-new, specially commissioned art, making it a true collector’s item.”
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Ancient Egypt
Fingerprints of the Gods by Graham Hancock
“In Fingerprints of the Gods, Hancock embarks on a worldwide quest to put together all the pieces of the vast and fascinating jigsaw of mankind’s hidden past. In ancient monuments as far apart as Egypt’s Great Sphinx, the strange Andean ruins of Tihuanaco, and Mexico’s awe-inspiring Temples of the Sun and Moon, he reveals not only the clear fingerprints of an as-yet-unidentified civilization of remote antiquity, but also startling evidence of its vast sophistication, technological advancement, and evolved scientific knowledge.”
The Ancient Black Hebrews: Abraham And His Family by Gert Muller
“What ethnic group did Abraham and his family belong to? What colour was this ethnic group? Does the Bible say they looked like Cushites? Are there pictures of this ethnic group from the time of Abraham? All of these questions are fully answered in this book and the pictures are shown!”
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Ancient China
China: A History by John Keay
“Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. Taking into account the country’s unrivaled, voluminous tradition of history writing, John Keay has composed a vital and illuminating overview of the nation’s complex and vivid past. Keay’s authoritative history examines 5,000 years in China, from the time of the Three Dynasties through Chairman Mao and the current economic transformation of the country.”
The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han by Mark Edward Lewis
“In 221 bc the First Emperor of Qin unified the lands that would become the heart of a Chinese empire. Though forged by conquest, this vast domain depended for its political survival on a fundamental reshaping of Chinese culture. With this informative book, we are present at the creation of an ancient imperial order whose major features would endure for two millennia.”
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