What are the best history based fiction books?

One of the best is 'The Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Tracy Chevalier. It vividly imagines the story behind Vermeer's famous painting. Another great one is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, which combines art history, mystery, and thriller elements as it delves into the secrets of Leonardo da Vinci's works. And 'Girl in Hyacinth Blue' by Susan Vreeland is also excellent, exploring the journey of a Vermeer painting through different owners and time periods.

Well, 'Gone with the Wind' is a classic history fiction. Set during the American Civil War, it shows the changing South through the eyes of Scarlett O'Hara. Then there's 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves, which takes us back to ancient Rome and the tumultuous life in the Roman court. And 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco is a must - read. It's set in a 14th - century Italian monastery and combines mystery with historical details.

Some of the top history fictions include 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It offers a unique perspective on the early Roman Empire. 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini, although set more in modern Afghan history, still counts as great history fiction as it shows the cultural and political changes in the country. Also, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, which is set during World War II in Nazi Germany, and tells the story from the perspective of Death. It gives a very different view of that dark time in history.

I also recommend 'Sharpe' series by Bernard Cornwell. These books follow the adventures of Richard Sharpe, a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. Cornwell is excellent at historical research, and the series combines military action, adventure, and a bit of romance.

One of the best is 'I, Claudius' by Robert Graves. It gives a vivid portrayal of the Roman imperial family. The characters are complex and the story is full of intrigue. Another great one is 'The Song of Achilles' by Madeline Miller. It retells the story of Achilles and Patroclus in a very engaging way. Also, 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It combines mystery with the medieval monastery setting, which is full of historical details.

The Aubrey - Maturin series is also great. It combines the detailed naval history, like the long voyages, the political situations of the time that affect the navy, and the personal stories of the characters. The way the characters interact and the adventures they have gives a sense of'sexy' in the way that it draws you into their world of naval exploration and combat.

One great one is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery and combines historical details of that era with a mystery plot. The characters are vivid, and as you read, you feel like you're really in that time period.

I would also mention 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. This novel focuses on the life of Thomas Cromwell during the Tudor period in England. Mantel's writing is masterful, delving deep into the politics and personalities of the court. It has been widely praised and has sold very well.

Well, 'The Peshawar Lancers' by S.M. Stirling is a remarkable alternate history science fiction book. It imagines a world where a meteorite strike in the 19th century changes the course of history. 'Dies the Fire' by the same author is also good, with a world suddenly losing all modern technology. 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' by Michael Chabon is worth mentioning too. It's set in an alternate Alaska where a Jewish homeland has been established.

Sure. 'Gone with the Wind' is a classic. Set during the American Civil War, it tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara. It shows the destruction of the South during the war and the difficult times of Reconstruction that followed.