Best Historical Fiction Books

I've divided this list into two sections that reflect how I think about best historical fiction. The first features my favorite classical masters, generally writing before 1900. I segment these out because the experience of reading them—their language, point-of-view, and the actions of the characters—allows for full immersion, truly removing us from our modern world. The second list showcases modern voices from 1900 onward, who've brought fresh perspectives to historical storytelling. These books have shaped my perspective as well, though not necessarily through moving me to a time long past.

Classical Historical Fiction / Historical Fiction Published Before 1900

Portrait of Lev (Leo) Tolstoy in 1848. Image credit: by Pavel Biryukov - https://archive.org/details/leotolstoyhislif00biriiala, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11656719

Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. His epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina are masterpieces of realist fiction that explore the depths of human nature, society, and moral philosophy.

Books by Leo Tolstoy

Modern Voices / Historical Fiction Published After 1900

Paul Jariabek

Paul Jariabek is a father, husband, historical fiction author, and technology executive. He writes historical fiction grounded in real-world events, naval adventure, and political intrigue. Get in touch through the social platforms below.