I’m busy researching in preparation to write a new historical romance series. My chosen time period is 18th century England, and here is a list of my current reading.
Thirteen Non-Fiction Books on English History
1. Great Houses of London by James Stourton, Publisher Frances Lincoln Limited
A book featuring some of the great houses in London with lots of great photos.
2. Georgian House Style Handbook by Ingrid Cranfield, Publisher David & Charles
Features the different interiors and furnishing of a Georgian building. Also a little about architects and the styles of house.
3. London in the Eighteenth Century by Jerry White, Publisher The Bodley Head.
This book is full of great info on the people, the city, work in the city and culture.
4. The London Square by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, Publisher Yale University Press
A history of residential squares in London.
5. The Golden Age of Flowers by Celia Fisher, Publisher The British Library
Botanical illustration in the age of discovery 1600 – 1800
6. How to Create the Perfect Wife by Wendy Moore, Publisher Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Georgian Britain’s most ineligible bachelor and his quest to cultivate the ideal woman.
7. Mid-Georgian Britain by Jacqueline Riding, Publisher Shire Living Histories
How we worked, played and lived.
8. Vauxhall Gardens by David Coke & Alan Borg, Publisher Yale University Press
A history of Vauxhall Gardens
9. The Secret History of Georgian London by Dan Cruickshank
How the wages of sin shaped the city.
10. Walking Jane Austen’s London by Louise Allen
A guide to nine walks that Jane Austen enjoyed.
11. Georgian London: Into the Streets by Lucy Inglis
A guide to 18th century London.
12. The Amorous Antics of Old England by Nigel Cawthorne, Publisher Portrait
All sorts of interesting snippets on courting.
13. Daily Life in 18th Century England by Kirstin Olsen, Publisher Greenwood Press
A book full of social history details.
Are you a big non-fiction reader? If so, what is your chosen topic?
I don’t read a lot of nonfiction, but when I do it’s usually true crime novels.
It’s weird. I’m quite happy chucking bodies into my romances, but I can’t read about real murders. Too gruesome for me!
If you want a fun read that covers a bit of your time period, you might try Bill Bryson’s At Home. It’s a history of the stuff in your house and explains things like why forks have a specific number of tines. Very interesting stuff and a fairly easy read.
Thanks for the rec. I’ll check it out.
I’d rather read a book by Jane Austin than a book of her walks.
I’m not sure if I should admit this but I’ve never read one of her books. I watched the movies :)
‘The wages of sin (is death) shaped the city’ I swear I saw that Great Houses of London book in my second-hand bookshop. If I haven’t checked it out yet. Will look out for your upcoming historical romance.
Thanks, Hazel. The Great Houses book is a door stop size and has lots of excellent photos.
Ooooh that Nigel Cawthorne book looks awesome.
It has lots of curious tidbits in that make excellent story starters.
I don’t read much non-fiction, but 1, 2, 8, and 10 are the ones I’d probably be most interested in.
Sorry haven’t been by musch lately. I’ve had trouble keeping up since the demise of Google Reader, and BL keeps telling me posts from your blog are “unavailable.”
Heather, a few people are having problems. Come back Google Reader. All is forgiven!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only person having problems with BL. Sounds like A LOT of people are missing Google Reader.
Oh, and since I can no longer reply to prevous post — yes, I have actually seen giveaways at Goodreads with no blurb or any description of the book whatsoever. Crazy, no?
I’m bookmarking this post. I love historical reference material. I read it for fun!
PS Your blog still isn’t coming through on my reader. So frustrating!
I find the social history fascinating. A couple of people are having problems. I have no idea why. My blog is feeding through to Amazon and Goodreads etc