Best U.S. State & Local History Books of 2026

A Fever in the Heartland by Ronald H. Egan is a historical thriller that tells the story of the Ku Klux Klan's rise to power in the 1920s and the woman who brought them down. The book follows the charismatic con man D.C. Stephenson, who became the Grand Dragon of Indiana and masterminded the Klan's takeover of great swaths of America. But it was Madge Oberholtzer, a seemingly powerless woman, whose deathbed testimony revealed Stephenson's secret cruelties and brought the Klan to their knees. Egan's narrative style is gripping and chillingly resonant with our own time. Overall, this book is a powerful and page-turning reckoning with one of the darkest periods in American history.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot tells the story of a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose cells, taken without her knowledge, became one of the most important tools in medicine. Though her HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine, uncovering secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb's effects, and leading to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping, Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown. Skloot brilliantly shows how the story of the Lacks family is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans. This book is a must-read for those interested in the history and ethics of medical research.

The book "Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska" by Warren Zanes is a fascinating account of the making of one of Bruce Springsteen's most pivotal albums. The author interviews many people involved in the making of the album, including Springsteen himself, and explores the cultural touchpoints that influenced the haunting songs on the album. Zanes weaves together these conversations with his own insights to create a textured and revelatory account of not only a crucial moment in Springsteen's career but also a record that upended all expectations and predicted a home-recording revolution. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in music history and criticism.

The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History by Ned Blackhawk is a significant retelling of American history that acknowledges the essential role of Native Americans in shaping the nation. Blackhawk interweaves five centuries of Native and non-Native histories, revealing the enduring power, agency, and survival of Indigenous peoples. This transformative synthesis offers a truer account of the United States and highlights the varied meanings of America. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history.

I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan is an inspiring and humorous memoir by Katie Porter, who was elected to Congress in historically conservative Orange County, California. As a single mom and a progressive Democrat, she defied expectations and used her signature whiteboard to take on CEOs and corrupt government officials in Congressional hearings. The book offers a clear picture of what it’s like to serve in Congress and exposes the gaps between politicians’ press conferences and real people’s lives. Katie makes the case for consumer protection, corporate accountability, and anti-corruption reforms. Overall, this book is a witty and down-to-earth exploration of politics and a must-read for anyone interested in American politics and women's biographies.

The book "Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism" by Jeffrey Toobin is a compelling and authoritative history of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and its aftermath. Toobin puts the attack in the context of an extremist, anti-government movement that has persisted and grown in the decades since. He draws on a wealth of previously unreleased tapes, photographs, and documents, including detailed communications between McVeigh and his lawyers, to provide a detailed and nuanced account of this dark chapter in American history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots and legacy of right-wing extremism in the United States.

The Gullah Geechee Home Cooking cookbook by Emily Meggett is a must-have for anyone interested in the history and cuisine of the Gullah Geechee people. As the matriarch of Edisto Island, Meggett shares not only her delicious and seasonal recipes but also her family's history dating back to the 19th century. Her dishes are a testament to the syncretism of West African and American cultures that make the Gullah Geechee community unique. This cookbook is an excellent addition to any food lover's collection, providing a glimpse into a lesser-known African American cuisine.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne is a gripping historical account of the forty-year battle between Comanche Indians and white settlers for control of the American West. The book centers on Quanah, the greatest Comanche chief of them all, and the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker and her mixed-blood son Quanah. Gwynne presents a sweeping narrative that encompasses Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, and the arrival of the railroads. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in how the United States came into being.

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties is a gripping reassessment of the infamous Manson murders and their impact on American history. Journalist Tom O'Neill spent two decades investigating the case and uncovered shocking evidence of a cover-up behind the "official" story, including potential involvement from intelligence agents. O'Neill's quest for the truth led him on a trail rife with shady cover-ups and suspicious coincidences. This murder and mayhem true account book is a must-read for those interested in the Manson murders and the turbulent sixties.

Celebrating Southern Appalachian Food: Recipes & Stories from Mountain Kitchens is a delightful journey through the culinary traditions of Southern Appalachia. Authors Jim Casada and Tipper Pressley share their love for the region and its distinctive cuisine through scores of recipes and stories of celebrations, Sunday dinners, and ordinary suppers. This book is a masterwork that takes readers back to an era where food was simple yet mouth-watering. The authors provide useful tips and tricks for cooking with the range of meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains of the Appalachians. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and traditions of Southern Appalachian food.