anybody know good historical fiction novels?

If you want the epic stuff, try James Michener or Edward Rutherford. Arthurian tales - try Jack Whyte. Judith Tarr also does historical, but in a more Fantasy genre way. My favorite right now is Margaret George. She has done historical fiction on Mary Magdalene, Cleopatra, Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scotts, and her new one is Helen of Troy. For American historical fiction - no one does it like John Jakes. For new Historical fiction coming out - try maidenscrown.com. Hope that helps!!!

How about "alternate" history? Where the author takes some significant event in history and changes it, and then writes a novel based on the way history would've played out in that different case? It's kind of a cross between fantasy and history. If you're into that kinda thing (like I am) I'd highly recommend the "Tales of Alvin Maker" series by Orson Scott Card. The first book in the series was called "Seventh Son", and tells the story of American in the early 1800s, when magical powers like faith healing and predicting the future really worked. It's very interesting reading, mixing what we know of American history with some fantasy, philosophy and a little theology mixed together into a real page-turner.

1) The Winds of War and 2) War and Remembrance. Both by Herman Wouk. They are set in the time leading up to and during World War II. The characters and story are great, and you get a feel for what it was like to live through it and also some historical characters and events thrown in.

Matthew Pearl's "The Dante Club" and "The Poe Shadow"

Tracy Chevalier's "Girl With a Pearl Earring"

Tobsha Learner's "The Witch of Cologne"

Kathryn Lasky's "Beyond the Burning Time" and "Blood Secret"

Elizabeth George Speare's "The Witch of Blackbird Pond"

Shogun

Grapes of Wrath

Cannery Row

the Red Badge of Courage

The Good Earth

Cold Mountain

Catch 22

Winds of War

Hawaii

I'm reading Neal Stephenson's "Quicksilver" right now, and it's very good. It incorporates lots of historical facts about Europe and science from the 1650's to the 1700's Isaac Newton and the Royal Society, Cromwell, James I and plenty of good political intrigue.

How approximately "exchange" historic previous? the place the author takes some substantial journey in historic previous and differences it, and then writes a singular based on the way historic previous might've performed out in that diverse case? it quite is variety of a go between myth and historic previous. once you're into that kinda element (like i'm) i might extraordinarily advise the "thoughts of Alvin Maker" sequence by Orson Scott Card. the 1st e book in the sequence became referred to as "seventh Son", and tells the tale of yank in the early 1800s, while magical powers like faith healing and predicting the destiny quite worked. it quite is totally exciting analyzing, mixing what all of us comprehend of yank historic previous with some myth, philosophy and slightly theology mixed jointly right into a real internet site-turner.

I actually prefer the alternate history written by Harry Turtledove, he writes about from the Civil War on but still uses historic characters.

Johnny Tremain is a great book that follows a boy during the American Revolution and his experiences with such groups as The Sons of Liberty.

Go immediately to Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander". If you like it, it is the first of a series of books. She is the best historical fiction writer I've ever come across.