A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German ...

by Steven Ozment

Year Published: 2005

Excellent short history of Germany. Recommended for students in both HWH and AP European History 

 Full Title: A Mighty Fortress: A New History of the German People

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

by Adam Makos

Year Published: 2012

A little-known incident in thge war-torn skies over Europe in WWII. A German fighter ace performs an act of mercy to the crew of a disabled US B-17 bomber. Outstanding, inspirational account of a man's faithfulness to his moral compass, even under a brutal dictatorship. 

A History of the American People

by Paul Johnson

Year Published: 1998

Nice, readable overview of American History by a notable English author 

Black Potatoes

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Year Published: 2001The story of the Great Irish Famine 1845-1850. Readable and interesting account of the Irish Famine geared for young adult readers. Helpful for Honors World History students, especially for the "an Gorta Mor" project in March 

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius ...

by Ross King

Year Published: 2001

Highly recommended for students in HWH and AP European   Full title: Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Candide

by Voltaire

Year Published: 1759Voltaire's classic satire is still amusing after 250+  years. It provides great insights into Enlightenment ideas on tolerance, aristocratic pretension and intellectual arrogance. Recommended for both HWH and AP European students. 

Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution

by Simon Schama

Year Published: 1990

A excellent history of the French Revolution, considered by many to be the best recent survey of the period. Suitable for AP European History and Honors World History students.

Darkness at Noon

by Arthur Koestler

Year Published: 1941

Originally published in 1941, Arthur Koestler's modern masterpiece, Darkness At Noon, is a powerful and haunting portrait of a Communist revolutionary caught in the vicious fray of the Moscow show trials of the late 1930s.

Recommended for AP European and Honors World

Eiffel's Tower: The Thrilling Story Behind Paris'...

by Jill Jones

Year Published: 2009

Enjoyable account of the trials and tribulations of Gustave Eiffel and his famous tower. Also discusses Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in detail and is also useful for US History students. Excerpts are used in HWH classes, but why not read the whole book? 

 Full Title: Eiffel's Tower: The Thrilling Story Behind Paris's Beloved Monument and theExtraordinary World's Fair That Introduced It

Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse...

by Jill Jones

Year Published: 2004

Most useful for students in US2 or AP US, this is a good account of the development of electricity as a major power source 

Full Title:Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the World

Europe's Last Summer: Who Started the Great War in 1914?

by David Fromkin

Year Published: 2005

Guide to the events which led to the outbreak of war in 1914. Highly recommended for both AP Euro and HWH students

Germany: Memories of a Nation

by Neil MacGregor

Year Published: 2015

Lavish treatment of German history through various artifacts, depicting the complex history of Germay. Highly recommended for students with an interest in German history and culture. Well presented with extensive use of color. 

Homage to Catalonia

by George OrwellYear Published: 1938The backstory to 1984 and Animal Farm DEscribes Orwell's experiences with Communism during the Spanish Civil War. Highly recommended for AP European History and HWH

Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia...

by Christopher ClarkYear Published: 2009Recommended for students with a passionate interest in German and European histories. May be challenging for ninth grade students 

  Full Title:Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia 1600-1947

July 1914: Countdown to War

by Sean McMeekin

Year Published: 2013

A comprehensive breakdown of the events which led directly to the outbreak of WWI. Recommended for AP European students and/or those with a strong interest in the First World War

Leonardo and the Last Supper

by Ross KIng

Year Published: 2012

Describes Leonardo da Vinci's great work and its condition and preservation efforts, as well as providing a good biography of the great artist. Readable and entertaining (as are all of Mr King's art histories) Recommended for both Honors World History and AP European History

Newton and the Counterfeiter

by Thomas Levenson

Year Published: 2010

Very interesting account of a little known episode in Newton's life and also provides light on 17th century English monetary policy. Recommended for HWH and AP European History 

 Full Title:Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist

Paddy's Lament, Ireland 1846-1847

by Thomas Gallagher

Year Published: 1987

A good, basic history of the Irish Potato Famine. Suitable for both HWH and AP European History students, as well as students in US History classes

The Days of the French Revolution

by Christopher Hibbert

Year Published: 1980

Overview of the French Revolution, using main events ("days") as focal points for each chapter. Very readable, a good introduction to the topic. Recommended for both AP European and Honors World History students 

The Edge of the World: A Cultural History of the North Sea and the Transformation of Europe

by Michael Pye

Year Published: 2016

Engrossing account of changes already taking place in Northern Europe prior to the Renaissance. Highly recommneded for AP European History students

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most ...

by Steven Johnson

Year Published: 2007

Recommended for students in both HWH and AP European. Interesting study of epidemology and sanitation  Full title:The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World

The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade ...

by Ross King

Year Published: 2006

Wonderful account of the French art world of the mid-nineteenth century and the birth of Impressionism. The book also sheds light on the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune. Suitable for students in both HWH and AP European History 

  Full Title:The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade That Gave the World Impressionism

The Last Battle: When U.S. and German Soldiers Joined Forces in the Waning Hours of World War II in

by Stephen Harding

Year Published: 2013

Fascinating account of a joint US-German operation to rescue French dignitaries held prisoner in Austria. The German soldiers were actually members of the Austrian resistance serving in the German Army. The account gives good insight into the attitudes of senior French politicians and generals about the French collapse in 1940.  

The Lion and the Unicorn: Gladstone vs. Disraeli

by Richard Aldous

Year Published: 2007

Dual biography of Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone. Very deep in tis coverage of English 19th century politics, but illuminating on the lives of the two great statesmen. Best suited for AP European students, but HWH students with an interest in English History will find it interesting

The Story of Civilization (11 Volume Set)

by Will and Ariel Durant

Year Published: 1935- 1975The classic history of the world. Volumes 5- 11 are relevant to both HWH and AP European. I read these in high school. (my name is still on the circulation cards in them in the RHS Library) 

The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy

by Peter H. Wilson

Year Published:

Comprehensive history of the Thirty Years War. Recommended for AP students with a strong desire to learn more about this very important period of history.

Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century ...

by Timothy Brooks

Year Published: 2008

Excellent and readable account of the develpoment of the global economy in the Seventeenth Century. HWH students use excerpts for their Seventeenth Century economy papers, but that's no reason not to read the whole book. Very useful for AP European students   

Full title: Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World