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In my experience, there are two types of people in this world-the people who are thrilled to have left their school years behind them, and the ones who get nostalgic for school supplies come September. I am in the latter category. If I had unlimited resources, I would still be in college, collecting degrees and making all the young-ens wonder who the crazy old lady is in the back of the room. Sadly, being a lifelong college student is expensive, and I am not a character on Community.
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Instead, I must settle for continuing my education via a steady stream of fun but informative books. My personal taste for non-fiction is wide, but I have a special place in my heart for books that tell the tales I wish I had learned in school. Untold histories. While not necessarily secrets, these stories are the ones that our teachers didn’t have time to relay to us. These stories, the ones that don’t fit within a public-school curriculum, are usually the most entertaining.
In case you, like me, are secretly wishing you were heading to Target for a bunch of pens and spiral notebooks, I collected a few of my favorite “hey, I never knew that!” books about untold histories for you to peruse. Don’t worry, there will absolutely not be a test on this.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Written by Rebecca Skloot
This book has already appeared on a list of mine, but I love it so much I need to recommend it again. Henrietta Lacks, a poor woman from the south, died from cancer decades ago but has had a greater impact on modern medicine than just about anyone else in the world. The story of her cells, dubbed HeLa cells, is an engrossing tale of scientific breakthroughs, patients’ rights, and a family’s legacy. With all Henrietta has done for us, we owe it to her to know her story.
The Black Hand
Written by Stephan Talty
Police investigations have come a long way in the last century. And a lot of those advancements can be traced back to Joe Petrosino. Dubbed the “Italian Sherlock Homes”, Petrosino was a pioneer in the fight against organized crime in America, with his innovative investigative techniques still being practiced today by law enforcement agencies. Petrosino’s most infamous cases involved the Black Hand, an insidious organization that targeted Italian Immigrants in crimes that ranged from extortion, bombings, and kidnapping. It is impossible to put down this fascinating tale of the lengths one man is willing to go to bring evil doers to justice.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Written by Erik Larson
It might be obvious by now, but I am a big fan of true crime. However, I know that it is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you are thinking of dipping your toe into this fascinating genre, The Devil in the White City is a great place to start. Part history, part thriller, this book takes you back to 1893 and the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Known for the first appearance of Pabst Blue Ribbon, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix and Juicy Fruit gum, the exposition is most often remembered for the crimes of H.H. Holmes and his infamous “Murder Castle”. Balancing the sinister details of Holmes’ crimes with the magic of the World’s Fair, The Devil in the White City is the kind of story you wish you had read in history class.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Written by Margot Lee Shetterly
The first time I heard the story of Katherine Johnson, my emotions ran the gamut from awe at her accomplishments despite facing incredible odds, and fury that I had never heard her story before. I was stunned that this incredible woman’s name wasn’t drilled into the brains of school children the same way as Neil Armstrong and John Glenn. Johnson’s story of brilliance and perseverance in the face of 1950’s segregation is truly inspiring and will resonate with contemporary readers now more than ever.
Teach your kids about amazing women in STEM with these books!
The Men Who Stare At Goats
Written by Jon Ronson
I can guarantee that this title prompted one of two reactions from you. Either it is so weird you want nothing to do with it, or it is so weird you are already checking the library to see if it is available. Jon Ronson, author of the equally engaging books So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed and The Psychopath Test, dives into the tale of a secret project helmed by the US Army that aimed to explore paranormal abilities such as invisibility, mind control and “psychic warfare”. Equal parts stupefying, mind blowing and darkly comedic, The Men Who Stare at Goats is an eye-opening investigation into the paranormal, and those who wish to weaponize it.
What are your favorite untold histories? Share in the comments!
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