35+ essential nonfiction listens on World War II
Armchair historians of all stripes are sure to find something captivating in this collection.
History
Garrett M. Graff calls the craft of oral history a "process of subtraction”
The award-winning author’s latest, The Devil Reached Toward the Sky, marks the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of WWII.
Troubled waters: the best disaster-at-sea nonfiction
These wild-but-true tales loom large in the annals of maritime history and survival stories.
A’Lelia Bundles shares her family’s rich legacy
Bundles’ great-grandmother, daughter of Madame C.J. Walker, was the “Joy Goddess” of the Harlem Renaissance.
Tanya Talaga appreciates author-read books
She believes when authors narrate, they reveal their own secrets.
Colorism isn't pretty
The belief that one is better, or better looking due to the lightness of their skin, has roots in slavery. Will it ever go away?
The best history and horror books that help explain “Sinners”
As Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster vampire film returns to theaters in IMAX 70mm, we put together a listening list for fans.
“So Many Stars” is a love letter to queer history and resistance
Caro De Robertis’s groundbreaking oral history celebrates the activism, cultural impact, and lived experiences of a generation of queer, trans, and two-spirit elders of color.
Martha S. Jones unearths her family history in “The Trouble of Color”
The renowned historian found both pain and pride when she explored her ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom.
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with the best nonfiction about New York
The city that never sleeps has no shortage of stories to tell. We picked some of the best listens about NYC, from fascinating histories and evocative memoirs to incisive works of cultural criticism, to hear now.
With “Nexus,” Yuval Noah Harari gives AI the big-history treatment
The historian and bestselling author talks about how intelligence differs from consciousness, why we need more boring politicians, and his post-“Sapiens” fame.
In the oral histories of 9/11, grief, hope, and heroism find a voice
On the 23rd anniversary of September 11th, we remember and honor victims, survivors, and first responders by listening to their stories and reflecting on the events of that fateful day.