If you don’t know June is Audiobook Month. Maybe you are similar to me, and every month is Audiobook Month, but this is the official one! I am fortunate in that I am able to get many audiobooks from NetGalley and the library (in addition to my monthly Kobo Audiobooks subscription), and can enjoy as many as I have time to listen to. In honour of this month, I’m going to deliver for the history buffs out there. Here are my top 10 audiobooks for history lovers!
A Royal Life, HRH The Duke of Kent
Why You Should Read This: This book is the memoir of Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. This is not a salacious tell-all; however, it does contains a great deal of “behind the scenes” information, as well as a lot on the Duke’s own career and life. As an historian of monarchy, I think that this book is incredibly fascinating, and offers a lot of insights for the casual reader and the dedicated royal historian. Hugo Vickers’ narration is simply superb, as well.
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/a-royal-life-by-the-duke-of-kent/
The Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett
Why You Should Read This: This is one of the sweetest books I’ve read in adulthood, and I think it is the perfect book for most readers! It follows Queen Elizabeth II as she happens to stumble across a novel that pulls her in. She then goes on a journey to read more and find more books. Not only am I thrilled to see anyone getting into reading, there is nothing like imagining that The Queen is wandering around looking for her next book! (And the author narrates it wonderfully!)
My Review: N/A
Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Andrew Lownie
Why You Should Read This: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are as popular as ever, but only a few pieces of their story widely circulate. (I know that a lot of people make connections between the Windsors and the Sussexes but I believe they each have their own story.) Lownie’s book is impeccably researched, and uncovers a lot of new information about David and Wallis that most of us don’t know. And this is another author-narrated audiobook! Lownie is a great narrator, he handles pacing well, and brings this story to life.
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/book-bite-traitor-king/
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The Last Debutantes, Georgie Blalock
Why You Should Read This: In terms of historical fiction, Georgie Blalock is one of my favourites. (It does not hurt that she is a Canadian author…) I have loved each of her books, and they have all been one-day reads for me. The Last Debutantes is absolutely my favourite book from her though. It has marvelous storytelling, fascinating characters, and it is the one novel that I did not see the ending coming. Ann Marie Gideon’s narration captures the drama perfectly.
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/the-last-debutantes-georgie-blalock/
Noble Ambitions: The Rise and Fall of the English Country House after World War II, Adrian Tinniswood
Why You Should Read This: This is a deep dive kind of book- this is not a “learn a few interesting things” book. However, that is its strength. Not only do we get a background look at the architecture and history of some of the most impressive homes in Great Britain (some of which you’ve probably visited), Tinniswood shares some fascinating pop culture moments that are not widely known. I actually ended up taking notes while listening to this audiobook!
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/noble-ambitions-by-adrian-tinniswood/
Wife After Wife, Olivia Hayfield
Why You Should Read This: If you want a purely entertaining book, this modern retelling of Henry VIII and his six wives is a must-read. While you will certainly recognise the cast of Tudor figures that we have all become so familiar with, Hayfield has given them a fresh update that makes the story feel new again. Steve West’s narration also brings gravitas to a story that might have otherwise felt frivoulous.
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/wife-after-wife-review/
Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King, Antonia Fraser
Why You Should Read This: Louis XIV is one of those looming figures in royal history, and I think many of us (myself included) usually think of the Palace of Versailles when we think of him. (Or ballet…) However, his seven decades on the throne was a minefield of complex relationships, and his non-political relationships have not received as much attention. Fraser’s brilliant book explores the relationships that Louis had with the women in his life. This is an abridged audiobook and is under seven hours- if you aren’t a fan of longer listens, this is perfect for you!
My Review: N/A
The Library of Legends, Janie Chang
Why You Should Read This:I discovered Janie Chang last year, and I’m a convert to her books! She pulls lesser-known parts of history into the spotlight, and shows us the humans that would have lived through it. (Fictionally, of course!) This book is set in China during the Second WOrld War and follows a group of Chinese university students who are transporting surviving texts in their library- I was incredibly invested in their story. And Chang perfectly weaves mythology and fantasy into this story.
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/book-bite-the-library-of-legends/
The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things, Paula Byrne
Why You Should Read This: Of course I had to include at least one book related to Jane Austen. Paula Byrne’s study of Jane Austen’s life through the lens of different objects connected to her is brilliant. While it allows her to hone in on Austen’s life, it also allows her to give a broader context for the period. She more than knows her subject matter, and her expertise is easy to read/here in this book. (And if she sounds familiar, it is because she was a consultant for Sanditon!)
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/book-bite-the-real-jane-austen/
The Mitford Affair, Marie Benedict
Why You Should Read This: The Mitford family was tabloid fodder in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, and they’ve come back into the spotlight in the last few years. Benedict chose to focus on Nancy, the novelist behind The Pursuit of Love, Diana, wife to the British facist leader William Mosely, and Unity, a Nazi supporter who was infatuated with Hitler, in the 1930s and 1940s. It is difficult to listen to at some times, but I could not stop listening to this audiobook. Emma Griffiths’ narration conveys an impressive range of emotion, particularly when portraying Nancy and Unity!
My Review: https://anhistorianabouttown.com/book-bite-the-mitford-affair/
I hope that you’ve found an audiobook (or three) in my 10 best audiobooks for history lovers!
Cheers,
The Historian
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