A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales

For readers who love historical fiction, this early 20th century guide is a treasure map. Jonathan Nield spent years reading and cataloging the best historical novels and tales, organizing them chronologically from the pre-Christian era through the 19th century. He provides not just titles but reasoned arguments for what makes certain historical fiction endure, wrestling with the genre's central tension: how novelists balance artistic invention with historical truth. The introduction includes a memorable quote from Carlyle, arguing that history is fundamentally the story of people's lives rather than dry facts, and Nield uses this as his compass for what he seeks in the genre. Teachers, students, and curious readers have used this guide for nearly a century to discover new authors and eras. Whether you're building your first reading list or studying how the historical fiction genre evolved, this remains a useful starting point, written by someone who actually read the books he recommends.