Best European & European Descent Studies Books of 2026

Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age is a mesmerizing biography of Peter Freuchen, an adventurous Danish explorer who traversed some of the greatest frontiers of the twentieth century. The book is meticulously researched and grippingly written, providing an unforgettable tale of daring and discovery. It is an inspiring portrait of restlessness and grit, and a powerful meditation on our relationship to the planet and our fellow human beings. The book highlights Freuchen's ideals that were remarkably ahead of his time, championing Indigenous communities and environmental stewardship. Wanderlust is an absolute joy to read and an excellent addition to any travel and explorer biography collection.

BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art is a captivating and informative book that sheds light on the often-dismissed history of Black artists and models in the Western art world. The book covers the stories of hundreds of Black men and women who lived diverse lives while shaping the art world. It also highlights the trailblazing Black American painters and sculptors who reached national and international fame, setting the stage for the flourishing of Black art in the 1920s and beyond. This is an essential work that elevates a globally dismissed legacy to its proper place in the mainstream art canon.

The Story of Russia by Orlando Figes is a fresh take on the thousand years of Russia's history, exploring the ideas and national mythologies that have shaped the country's past and politics. From the founding of Kievan Rus in the first millennium to Putin's war against Ukraine, Figes delves into the impulses that have driven Russian history, including the medieval myth of Mother Russia's holy mission and the nationalist myth of Russia's unjust treatment by the West. This enthralling book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand modern Russia and its relationships with the world.

The Books of the Ethiopian Bible Hardcover is a unique and ancient text that contains over 100 books, including those that were excommunicated from the King James Version. Written in an ancient dead language of Ethiopia, Ge'ez, this bible is almost 800 years older than the King James Version. This edition features 20 of the books that are not included in the Protestant Bible. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in religious studies, particularly those interested in European and European Descent Studies Books.

The End of White Christian America by Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, delves into the profound political and cultural consequences of the fact that America is no longer a majority white Christian nation. Jones explains and analyzes the waning vitality of White Christian America using more than four decades of polling data. He argues that the visceral nature of today's most heated issues can only be understood against the backdrop of white Christians' anxieties as America's racial and religious topography shifts around them. This book offers an insightful combination of history, sociology, religious studies, and political science, making it a worthwhile read for a wide range of readers across the political spectrum.

Hitler's American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law by James Whitman is a thought-provoking investigation of the impact of American race law on the notorious Nuremberg Laws, the centerpiece anti-Jewish legislation of the Nazi regime. Whitman presents a disturbing answer to whether the American regime of racial oppression inspired the Nazis, and it is yes. The book shows how American citizenship and antimiscegenation laws provided a blueprint for the two principal Nuremberg Laws. Hitler's American Model is a crucial read that upends the understanding of America's influence on racist practices in the wider world.

The Greeks: A Global History by Roderick Beaton is a comprehensive and ambitious exploration of the Greek civilization that goes beyond the classical era. Beaton traces the Greeks' impact on modern science, politics, law, and the arts from the Bronze Age to today's Greek diaspora. The book is a magisterial and readable introduction to Greek history that reveals the far more complicated reality than what is commonly known. The author's decades of research make this book a reliable and entertaining companion that is a worthy successor to George Finlay's History of Greece. The Greeks is a fascinating and enlightening read that is highly recommended for anyone interested in ancient Greek history.

"The Trouble with White Women: A Counterhistory of Feminism" by Kyla Schuller is an eye-opening account of the intersectional struggle of feminism. The author challenges the commonly celebrated white feminist leaders and their self-serving politics that dispossess the most marginalized. Schuller brings to light the counter history of Black, Indigenous, Latina, poor, queer, and trans women who have pushed back against white feminists and united to dismantle systemic injustice. This book is an essential read for feminists who want to build a more just politics for all."

"Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed" by Philip Hallie tells the inspiring story of how the village of Le Chambon, a small Protestant town in southern France, saved thousands of Jewish children and adults during the most terrible years of World War II. Despite the presence of the Vichy government and the Nazi SS, the villagers and their clergy organized quietly and peacefully to resist inhumanity and political insanity. This book is a rare gem that can change the way we view the world, and it is a testament to the power of goodness and redemption. Overall, "Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed" is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope in dark times.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945, Volume IV: Camps and Other Detention Facilities Under the German Armed Forces is a comprehensive documentation of the under-researched segment of the larger Nazi incarceration system. This volume examines camps and other detention facilities under the direct control of the German military, the Wehrmacht. It provides detailed information on the conditions, work, and prisoners held captive by the Wehrmacht. The book is a work of memorialization, preserving the histories of places where people suffered and died. The unique and extensive documentation of the Wehrmacht camp system makes this book a valuable addition to World War II history books.