Don’t miss the best new history from the past month, hand-picked by our editors! Don’t miss this month’s history picks, which include a gripping account of World War II–era Paris, an examination of a peasant uprising in 16th-century Germany, and more.

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	Through a single church window, one family’s sweeping history comes to life WHY IT’S READWORTHY: By excavating the stories of his own ancestors, a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning author transforms our understanding of the American story “A major accomplishment in its reach and scope and reconnection with the past” (Los Angeles Times) “Profoundly illuminating on many fronts” (Booklist starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers Witness the working-class uprising that swept 16th-century Europe WHY IT’S READWORTHY: An “engrossing” survey (The New York Times Book Review) of the little-known German Peasants’ War “Exciting… Likely to be the go-to study for years to come” (Library Journal starred review) Written by a prizewinning Oxford University historian Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers What role has the color blue played in Black history? WHY IT’S READWORTHY: A National Book Award–winning scholar explores the centuries-long relationship between blue and Blackness across literature, art, folklore, and music Named a most anticipated book by Time, USA Today, People, Harper’s Bazaar, and many more “A sinewy, pulsing narrative that positions the past as an active, living force in the present. Readers will be swept up” (Publishers Weekly starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers How World War II molded a generation of US leaders WHY IT’S READWORTHY: From a New York Times bestselling author and distinguished historian Examines the conflict’s influence on the philosophies and policies of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush Sr. “Brilliantly blends vivid biographical sketches with astute political analysis” (Pulitzer Prize winner Fredrik Logevall) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers ‘This book will transform the way you see this country’ (Michelle Alexander) WHY IT’S READWORTHY: In this instant New York Times bestseller, a sociologist argues that US public schools were designed to uphold unequal treatment Named a most anticipated book of 2025 by Esquire and Oprah Daily “A troubling and eye-opening examination of the foundational role educators played in developing America’s racial hierarchy” (Publishers Weekly starred review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers On December 11, 1960, JFK’s momentous presidency nearly ended before it even began WHY IT’S READWORTHY: Recounts the first assassination attempt on the 35th US president — and why it ultimately failed An instant New York Times bestseller from the authors of The Lincoln Conspiracy Douglas Brinkley calls it “a page-turner” Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers Why the story of the United States is the story of California WHY IT’S READWORTHY: A sweeping read that spans six centuries, covering everything from Spanish colonization to the rise of Silicon Valley “A monumental history… Makes a compelling case that California is the heartbeat of our nation” (Douglas Brinkley) From a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist “with a knack for storytelling” (The Economist) and “an eye for telling detail” (The New York Times Book Review) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers In Nazi-occupied Paris, two women saved dozens of Allied soldiers — until a shocking betrayal WHY IT’S READWORTHY: A captivating World War II tale of heroism, deceit, and redemption Informed by never-before-seen records unearthed across five countries “A riveting true story that reads like a movie script and showcases the power of humans to persist in the face of overwhelming odds” (Elizabeth Letts) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers The fascinating history of choice in the modern age WHY IT’S READWORTHY: A University of Pennsylvania historian reveals how personal decision-making came to be associated with freedom — and the surprising downsides to it Examines the rise of shopping, love marriages, human rights, and more “At a time when we are awash with options — indeed, drowning in them — Rosenfeld’s analysis… feels especially timely” (The Millions) Learn more... MEDIA MENTIONS: GET EBOOK ON: Amazon See other formats and retailers