For me, 'Darkness at Noon' by Arthur Koestler is also a must - read. Although it was written earlier and was more about the Stalinist era which was a precursor to the Cold War in a sense, it still gives a lot of insights into the totalitarian mindset and the ideological battles that were to come to the fore during the Cold War.
A very interesting Cold War historical fiction is 'The Berlin Stories' by Christopher Isherwood. These stories give a very personal view of Berlin during the Cold War, showing the divided city, the different lifestyles of people on both sides of the wall, and the general atmosphere of unease and hope at the same time. The writing is so vivid that you can almost feel the cold air of Berlin in those days.
One must - read is 'The Hunt for Red October' by Tom Clancy. It's a thrilling story about a Soviet submarine captain's defection.
A must - read is 'Schindler's Ark' by Thomas Keneally. It's based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved many Jews during the Holocaust. It's a powerful and moving account of heroism in the face of extreme evil.
There are quite a few good ones. 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah is about two sisters in France during World War 2. It shows their different ways of dealing with the Occupation. 'Code Name Verity' is also excellent. It focuses on female spies during the war. These books all give great insights into the World War 2 era through fictional stories.
Some well - known ones could be 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It gives a vivid picture of Russian society during the Napoleonic era. Another is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, which shows the social life and marriage market in early 19th - century England.
'The Wedding Dress' by Rachel Hauck is a wonderful Christian historical romance. It weaves together different time periods, all centered around a mysterious wedding dress. The characters' faith journeys are intertwined with their search for love, and it's a story that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
There are many great regency historical fictions. For instance, 'The Grand Sophy' by Georgette Heyer. This book has a very engaging plot with a strong - willed female lead. It shows the upper - class life during the Regency period in great detail. 'A Civil Contract' is another good one. It deals with the themes of marriage and social status in that era in an interesting way. And of course, Julia Quinn's 'Bridgerton' series which has been very popular recently, bringing the regency world to a new generation of readers.
One of the best is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It's a classic that realistically portrays the moral ambiguity and complex politics of the Cold War espionage world.
Definitely 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. It's a classic that vividly depicts the French Revolution and its impact on both France and England.
One of the best is 'The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara. It gives a vivid account of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, with well - developed characters on both sides of the conflict.
I think 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller is among the best. It's a darkly humorous look at the insanity of war. It shows the absurd rules and situations that soldiers face during World War II. 'The Naked and the Dead' by Norman Mailer is also a great work of World War II historical fiction. It gives a gritty and realistic portrayal of the war in the Pacific. Also, 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Ernest Hemingway is a wonderful story about an American fighting in the Spanish Civil War, which was a precursor to World War II.