5 Cultural History Books That You Love To Read

Go on a time-travelling journey through the pages of history with our collection of must-read cultural history books! Have you ever wondered about the intricate tapestries of societies, how customs evolve, or what everyday life was like in different eras? Cultural history offers a kaleidoscopic view of the past, illuminating the rich and diverse narratives that have shaped human civilization.

From the ancient rituals of forgotten civilizations to the modern revolutions that have defined our current world, these books are windows into the souls of societies. They unravel the complex interplay of art, politics, religion, and daily life, revealing how each influences and molds the other.

Whether you’re a history buff, a curious explorer, or someone who loves to go on the stories behind the stories, this post will guide you to books that breathe life into the pages of history. Get ready to explore the fascinating world of cultural history, where every chapter is a new adventure!

5 Cultural History Books

Cultural history offers us insights into different societies, customs, and traditions, helping us to understand and appreciate the diversity of human experiences. This broader perspective enhances empathy and cultural sensitivity. Also, understanding historical contexts helps to make sense of the present. This provides a deeper understanding of current societal norms, conflicts, and achievements by showing how they have evolved over time.

Let’s talk about 5 cultural history books you must read.

1. Plutopia: The Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters

This book is for anybody who loves conspiracy theories about the Cold War. Also, it is for people who enjoyed the Chernobyl TV series because this book illustrates two nuclear plants, one in the U.S. and Another in Russia. So, when you get the details of some of that building, this book raises questions about how two ideologically opposed nations can come to the same conclusion. There are nuclear disasters in both plants. Both governments generally do questionable things.

Cold War isn’t as interesting to me. There are also some good, interesting pictures here. When I was reading this book, I wanted to get it out of my tinfoil hat. When you read this book, it does give some context for Chornobyl. The book doesn’t explicitly talk about Chernobyl, but when you read about the handling of the plant in Russia, it frames it differently.

So it talks about nuclear disasters and how each government handled the new information that arose from learning about what happens to people when they come in contact with nuclear runoff with plutonium.

Author: Kate Brown
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Russian Culture, American History, Politics & War
Number Of Pages: 416
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

2. Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health

Marion Nestle’s book was intended for the American people because it details their food systems. She talks about everything from dietary guidelines and the history of that, the FDA, the regulation of vitamins, school lunches, and how pizza became a vegetable. I don’t know what to say if you don’t leave reading this book enraged. Some chapters include undermining dietary advice and how dietary advice has shaped and been informed by lobbying the system.

So there are a lot of food lobbyists and co-opting nutritional professions professionals, exploiting kids, corrupting schools, pushing soft drinks, and deregulating dietary supplements. Marion was a professional in the field and thick of it. She was part of the committees she talked about in this book.

Some of the information is a bit old, like the early two thousand, and even some older than that. It gives a good idea of the American food system because it is approachable. I also feel like a conspiracy theorist here, as well as the corruption of the groups, government agencies, and food lobbyists.

Author: Marion Nestle
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Gastronomy History, Health Policy
Number Of Pages: 534
Available: Paperback | Kindle

3. Tupperware: the promise of plastic in 1950s America

This book is essentially one of cultural history. Author Alison J. Clarke is interested in the thing itself. She’s interested in how this particular object means so much to the American people. When she explains how the board became so popular in America, One of the vehicles of this was the Tupperware party.

She’s looking at the role of the Tupperware party in popularising the product itself. But Tupperware parties are so interesting because they affect suburbanization, gender roles, and corporate culture. Her look at Tupperware’s class and gendered aspects is fascinating, and while I disagree with many of her claims, that doesn’t make this a bad book.

I’m recommending it because of the topic. Many of us have used Tupperware, which has become somewhat of an American icon. The author wants to answer how it has become so culturally significant.

Author: Alison J. Clarke
Average Rating: 4.8/5
Category: Popular Culture in Social Sciences, Microhistory
Number Of Pages: 256
Available: Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

4. A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

This was published in cooperation with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This book details the essential history on the cover of the Indian Residential School system in Canada. So it covers a wide range of topics, like why they were created in the first place and some of those political ideologies and beliefs. It talks about the schools’ running, conditions, what was expected of the kids, and how they were fed and dressed.

There is a lot of abuse here, including sexual abuse. Essentially, the Canadian government tried to strip culture and ideology from indigenous people widely. What happened at these schools has now been labeled as genocide. So this book is fairly short of history and ninety-four. The first part of the book lists all of the residential schools in Canada along with the list.

It also has a timeline of events, including the last school closing. All schools have closed by the year two thousand, a bit disgusting anyway. The work and the research here are excellent. Their notes are so extensive, especially for the length of this book. They talk about what they mean by reconciliation and how we do that.

So it isn’t easy to figure out how to reconcile something implied to be over when it’s not. I recommend this book to anybody living in Canada because regardless of how long you’ve lived here, whether you’re a generation or a new immigrant.

Everybody who lives in Canada benefits from the systematic exclusion, repression, and cultural genocide of indigenous people. The writing on this is moving because of the stories of those who experienced the residential school system. There are many first-person accounts, but the writing style is approachable and simple, and that’s one of the fabulous things about this book.

Author: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: First Nations Canadian History, Native American Demographic Studies
Number Of Pages: 296
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle

5. Hair Raising: Beauty, Culture, and African American Women

Author Noliwe Rooks talks about the politics of black hair, particularly in the United States, for African-American women. Her book is also approachable in its writing style, but she uses a lot of anecdotal evidence throughout it, and I love to hear about her experiences. She has chapters on advertising generally, but she also looks at advertising in magazines, particularly Ebony, Essence, and Jet. Then she also has a chapter devoted to my C.J. Walker and gives an outline of the black beauty industry and some of the timelines on that.

It’s also a short book, around one hundred and twenty pages. The content is fabulous, and the way that Noliwe has written is simple and powerful. The anecdotes help with that, and she effectively argues that black hair’s powerful political nature has been used. One of the things she talks about is the binary of good and bad hair that has benefited white and light-skinned women.

I love her message, her writing in this book, and what she covers generally. She talks about so much. She talks about afros, hot combs, and black pride, which has an entire chapter on beauty, race, and black pride, where she talks about racial ideologies and early.

Her book is or has been a bit difficult to find, and there are some other books that I have enjoyed, such as Maxine Leeds Craig’s 80 Beauty Queen. So, if you’re interested in the history of the beauty industry and beauty culture, then pick it.

Author: Noliwe M. Rooks
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: African American Demographic Studies
Number Of Pages: 176
Available: Paperback | Kindle

5 Books about cultures around the world

Exploring different cultures around the world can be a fascinating and enriching experience. Here are five highly recommended books that offer insightful perspectives into various cultures:

1. “Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared Diamond

This book provides a groundbreaking investigation into how geographical and environmental factors have shaped the diverse ways of life across the globe. Diamond explores the reasons behind why some societies have developed complex systems and technologies while others have remained relatively unchanged.

2. “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari

Harari offers a compelling overview of the history of our species, from the emergence of Homo sapiens in Africa to the present. The book discusses how human cultures have evolved and influenced the world, touching on everything from the development of language to the rise of empires.

3. “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman

This book tells the story of a Hmong family from Laos and their interactions with the healthcare system in the United States. It’s a poignant exploration of cultural clashes, especially in the context of medicine and healthcare.

4. “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell examines what makes high-achievers different and argues that successful people don’t rise from nothing. He explores how culture, family, and idiosyncratic experiences can determine how successful one becomes, offering fascinating insights into different cultural norms and values.

5. “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann

This book challenges traditional pre-Columbian history, providing a comprehensive look at the Americas and the Indigenous peoples who inhabited them before the arrival of Columbus. Mann uncovers the rich, complex societies and cultures that existed in North and South America.

5 Books on culture and society

Here are five insightful books that feature various aspects of culture and society, offering a deeper understanding of how they shape and are shaped by human experiences:

1. “The Interpretation of Cultures” by Clifford Geertz

In this seminal work, Geertz, an anthropologist, presents a collection of essays that redefine how cultures are interpreted. He argues that culture is a system of shared meanings and symbols, and his method of “thick description” offers a rich analytical approach. This book is a cornerstone in the field of cultural anthropology.

2. “Cultures and Societies in a Changing World” by Wendy Griswold

Griswold provides a sociological perspective on culture, exploring how cultural objects and practices are deeply intertwined with social and economic forces. The book is an excellent resource for understanding the dynamics of cultural change in the modern world.

3. “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” by Yuval Noah Harari

A sequel to “Sapiens,” this book looks forward to the future of human societies. Harari explores the challenges and opportunities that we face as a species, including technological advancements and ethical dilemmas, offering a thought-provoking view of the potential directions our cultures might take.

4. “The Lonely Crowd: A Study of the Changing American Character” by David Riesman

Originally published in the 1950s, this book is a classic sociological study of post-war American society. Riesman’s theory of character types—tradition-directed, inner-directed, and other-directed—provides a framework for understanding how people navigate a rapidly changing world and how these types inform societal norms and values.

5. “Liquid Modernity” by Zygmunt Bauman

In this book, Bauman examines how the transition from ‘solid’ to ‘liquid’ modernity has transformed the way individuals live and relate to each other in contemporary society. He discusses how these changes affect our personal lives, social forms, and institutions, offering a critical analysis of the nature of contemporary life and culture.

5 Books on Chinese Cultural Revolution

The Chinese Cultural Revolution, a significant and tumultuous period in China’s history, has been the subject of many insightful books. Here are five notable works that offer diverse perspectives on this era:

1. “The Cultural Revolution: A People’s History, 1962–1976” by Frank Dikötter

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Cultural Revolution, drawing on a range of archival and firsthand sources. Dikötter offers detailed stories of the period, from the political machinations at the top to the grassroots level, where ordinary people were swept up in the chaos.

2. “Life and Death in Shanghai” by Nien Cheng

This is a powerful autobiography by Nien Cheng, who was a victim of the Cultural Revolution. Cheng, the widow of a foreign affairs official, was targeted during the Revolution. Her memoir recounts her harrowing experiences during her imprisonment and provides a personal perspective on the broader societal impacts of the era.

3. “Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution” by Ji-li Jiang

Aimed at younger readers but equally compelling for adults, this memoir tells the story of Ji-li Jiang, who was a teenager during the Cultural Revolution. It’s an engaging and poignant story of how the Revolution impacted her family and upended her own beliefs and aspirations.

4. “Mao’s Last Revolution” by Roderick MacFarquhar and Michael Schoenhals

This book offers a detailed scholarly analysis of the Cultural Revolution, focusing on Mao Zedong’s role and the political upheaval that ensued. The authors cover the political maneuvering, ideological battles, and the catastrophic impact on Chinese society.

5. “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China” by Jung Chang

While not exclusively about the Cultural Revolution, this family memoir spans the lives of three generations of women in Jung Chang’s family, including her own experiences during the Cultural Revolution. It offers a vivid and sweeping narrative of 20th-century Chinese history.

5 Books on history of American popular culture

Exploring the history of American popular culture provides fascinating insights into the societal changes, trends, and events that have shaped American identity and global influence. Here are five recommended books that talk about various aspects of this rich and dynamic history:

1. “Populuxe” by Thomas Hine

This book is a lively exploration of American culture and design in the 1950s and 1960s. Hine examines how postwar prosperity influenced consumer culture, including trends in automobiles, home design, and consumer goods, reflecting the optimism and aspirations of the era.

2. “Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century” by John F. Kasson

Kasson’s book focuses on Coney Island as a microcosm of American popular culture at the turn of the 20th century. It’s a fascinating look at how leisure and entertainment practices evolved and how they reflected broader societal changes.

3. “Something In The Air: Radio, Rock, and the Revolution That Shaped a Generation” by Marc Fisher

This book offers a compelling story of how radio and rock music transformed American culture in the post-World War II era. Fisher explores the influence of these mediums on everything from youth culture to the Civil Rights movement.

4. “Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle” by Chris Hedges

Hedges critically examines contemporary American culture, focusing on the rise and impact of celebrity culture, reality TV, and the entertainment industry. He discusses how these elements have shaped American society’s values and perceptions.

5. “Main Street to Mainframes: Landscape and Social Change in Poughkeepsie” by Harvey K. Flad and Clyde Griffen

Although focused on the city of Poughkeepsie, this book provides an insightful case study of urban development and cultural change in America from the 19th century through the late 20th century. It offers a detailed look at how technological, economic, and social changes impacted American cities and their cultures.

5 Cultural Studies books

Cultural studies is a fascinating and diverse field that explores the ways in which culture is both constructed and influenced. Here are five seminal books in the field of cultural studies that offer diverse perspectives and critical insights:

1. “Culture and Society: 1780-1950” by Raymond Williams

This book is considered a foundational text in cultural studies. Williams examines the development of the idea of culture and how it relates to social and historical changes, particularly focusing on the Industrial Revolution and its impact on modern society.

2. “The Interpretation of Cultures” by Clifford Geertz

Geertz, an anthropologist, presents a collection of essays in this book, outlining his approach to understanding cultures. He advocates for a ‘thick description’ methodology, which has been hugely influential in the field of cultural studies.

3. “Subculture: The Meaning of Style” by Dick Hebdige

Focusing on the post-war British youth culture, Hebdige examines how style and subculture are a form of resistance against the mainstream. He delves into the symbolism in clothing, music, and other forms of expression among various groups.

4. “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity” by Judith Butler

Butler’s book is a key work in feminist theory and cultural studies. She challenges the conventional notions of gender and explores the performative nature of identity, which has become a fundamental concept in the study of culture and society.

5. “The Society of the Spectacle” by Guy Debord

Debord’s critical treatise on contemporary society critiques the nature of the modern spectacle – including media, consumer culture, and passive viewing. His work is foundational in media studies and critical theory, analyzing how the spectacle influences social life.

5 Reference books on culture

Reference books on culture are invaluable resources for researchers, students, or anyone interested in deepening their understanding of different cultural aspects around the world. Here are five recommended reference books that provide comprehensive insights into various cultural aspects:

1. “Encyclopedia of World Cultures” edited by David Levinson

This multi-volume encyclopedia provides detailed information on cultures around the world, covering history, religion, customs, traditions, language, and social norms. It’s an excellent resource for comparative cultural studies and understanding global diversity.

2. “The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy” by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil

This book is a comprehensive guide to important concepts, events, historical figures, and movements that have shaped the cultural landscape. It’s an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of cultural literacy in a wide array of disciplines.

3. “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life” edited by Timothy L. Gall and Jeneen Hobby

Organized by continent and country, this encyclopedia offers detailed information on more than 500 cultural groups worldwide. It provides insights into daily life, family life, economic activities, religious practices, and customs of various cultures.

4. “The Cambridge Guide to World Theatre” edited by Martin Banham

This reference book is a comprehensive guide to international theatre. It includes entries on countries, playwrights, actors, directors, and theatres and covers a broad range of theatrical styles and traditions from all over the world.

5. “The Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Folklore and Folklife” edited by William M. Clements

Spanning four volumes, this set covers folklore and folklife from around the globe. Each region’s myths, legends, festivals, customs, and traditions are explored in depth, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the rich tapestry of global folklore.

Last Words

Cultural historians must balance total description and circumscribed narrative, as cultural history is devious and uncertain. Second, cultural historians must select facts that fit their narrative with esprit de finesse, choosing fine points related to their study. Third, cultural historians provide even small details about history. They list valuable facts to arrive at a better understanding of events.

To understand how culture affects and flourishes, we can retrace the past to help better understand the convergence of opposites in science, philosophy, and political thought. However, cultural history has its downsides. Since there is a lack of conceptions of philosophy, religion, or art, it cannot purely dwell upon logic without losing its historical character and distorting it.

These books are more than just records of the past; they are narratives that connect us to the myriad experiences and legacies of humanity. They remind us of where we’ve come from, what we’ve endured, and the endless possibilities of where we’re going.

So, armed with these insightful reads, may you continue your journey through the annals of time, discovering the rich tapestry of human culture that continues to shape our present and future. Until our next historical adventure, happy reading and happy exploring!

Read More Similar Books: 7 Cultural Anthropology Books About Hippies