Source: TOP 10 BOOKS FROM UNDERGRAD IN HISTORY | philosophy, journalism, political theory by Ruby Hart 

Ruby is an undergraduate student of history offering her top ten book recommendations. These  selections include fiction, non-fiction, journalism, and philosophy. Her approach is to offer books that reflect a diverse approach to understanding history. I felt these were worth saving for my own further research, so I decided to share them with you, as well. I’d go watch her video for more in-depth information and reasoning why she included each of these in her video.

“Don’t think that these are just going to be boring,” Ruby says. “History doesn’t have to be boring. A lot of the books on here aren’t even non-fiction. There’s a lot of fiction. There’s a lot of journalism.” 

These first few selections are meant to highlight a broader understanding of “history” beyond traditional academic texts.

Livy’s History of Rome helps give context to the Role of Myth and Moral Identity in Early History. His work is presented as an ideological project to “show Rome’s moral and political identity during Augustus’s reign,” as Ruby explains. He blends “myth and history and moral philosophy,” seeing “importance in it” even if he doesn’t fully believe the myths are true, as “it’s really integral to the Roman identity.” This source demonstrates how early historical accounts were deeply intertwined with cultural and moral self-perception, rather than strictly empirical truth.

Scott Reynolds Nelson’s Oceans of Grain challenges conventional historical nature, proposing an “outlandish take” that “every single thing that has ever happened in the history of the world… is solely because of grain.” While Ruby acknowledges this as a “reach,” this perspective opened her eyes to “how integral something, how something so simple can create such a vast change in the ability of a society to stay afloat.” This source emphasizes the importance of considering unconventional, even provocative, lenses through which to view historical causality.

Larry Schweikart’s The Imperial Adventure reframes American history through “acts of entrepreneurial spirit,” focusing on how “individuals have the power to create America.” It argues that “the feeling of being an American is creating something great,” suggesting a cultural narrative deeply rooted in individual innovation and risk-taking.

Several recommended books from Ruby delve into the profound and often traumatic effects of war on individuals and societies. They highlight the psychological complexities and disillusionment that arise from conflict.

Heinrich Böll’s Billiards at Half-Nine is a fictional work that “really tackles the generational trauma between the two world wars… and just familial issues that would occur during this time in Germany.” Robert, the protagonist, fights against his emotions after the war by leading a “highly structured life” until confronted by his past, showcasing the long-lasting psychological scars of conflict.

Philip Caputo’s A Rumor of War is a memoir vividly portrays the “rising fury” and disillusionment of soldiers entering the Vietnam War. Initially believing they would have a “heroic valiant experience,” they soon realize “the terror of war,” especially one where “the lines of war are blurred.” The ultimate realization is: “We had done nothing more than endure. We had survived and that was our only victory.” This challenges romanticized notions of warfare.

Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem is a report on Adolf Eichmann’s trial, which explores how “incredibly evil acts of violence or destruction or hate don’t have to be taken on by a super villain; they can happen from just some unintelligent…banal person.” Eichmann’s self-perception as merely “following what society wanted” and “being a law-abiding citizen” underscores how extreme atrocities can be perpetrated by seemingly ordinary individuals who rationalize their actions through obedience and perceived societal consensus. “Despite all the efforts of the prosecution everybody could see that this man was not a monster but it was difficult indeed not to suspect that he was a clown.”

The next few selected works engage with fundamental questions about political power, the nature of conflict, and how societal structures shape individual experiences.

Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political is a controversial work that posits that “what politics stands on is a distinction between the friend and the enemy.” He argues that “without the possibility of war, politics cannot exist” because this fundamental distinction is necessary for political action. This book offers a stark, if problematic, view on the inherent combative nature of political life.

Nietzsche’s Collected Works of philosophy, while complex, challenge conventional ideas about morality, suggesting that “morals directly come from historical power dynamics.” This invites readers to question the origins of their own ethical frameworks and consider their societal conditioning.

Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi is an autobiography that offers a deeply personal account of growing up in the Jim Crow South, detailing “living conditions and working conditions and how she was treated by different people.” Her story illustrates how “conditioned behavior of… society” and interactions with different races shaped her understanding of racial inequality and the public response to events like Emmett Till’s murder.

Finally, Stefan Zweig’s The World of Yesterday: Zweig’s autobiography describes a pre-World War I “world of security that everybody thought and felt that they lived within.” He then reveals “the cooling and the heating up of forces that people are turning a blind eye to that are kind of leading up to the wars,” including the “suppression of young people both in their individuality and their expression of themselves.” This highlights how societal complacency and the stifling of dissent can contribute to catastrophic global conflicts.

Ruby emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating the authors and their perspectives, acknowledging biases, and understanding the context in which historical and philosophical works are produced.

For example, Ruby notes that Livy was “writing under Augustus’s reign so even if he doesn’t outwardly support Augustus he is writing in a way that aligns with the moral and political values of Augustus’s reign.” This underscores the political pressures and ideological alignment that can influence historical narratives.

Secondly, despite Schmitt’s later involvement with the Nazi party, Ruby argues it’s “important to read works from controversial individuals because you need to read the source material of what you know bad people were thinking and kind of the source material on what gave bad people ideas.” This advocates for intellectual courage in engaging with challenging and potentially problematic texts to understand the origins of destructive ideologies.

Lastly, when it comes to Oceans of Grain, Ruby frequently mentions her “qualms” with Oceans of Grain, particularly its “outlandish take” and a shift in focus halfway through. However, she still recommends it “if you can take things with a grain of salt,” emphasizing the need for critical thinking when presented with sweeping historical theories.

Overall, I agree with Ruby that these recommended books offer a rich and varied perspective on history, moving beyond simple chronology to explore the moral, psychological, political, and even economic forces that shape human civilization. They encourage a critical, empathetic, and multi-faceted approach to understanding the past and its enduring impact on the present. Definitely worth checking out any of these works listed here.

~ Amelia Desertsong