best historical fiction books based on true stories

Best Historical Fiction Books Based on True Stories

Historical fiction novels have a unique ability to transport readers back in time, immersing them in the vivid details and thrilling events of different eras. If you're a fan of this genre and are looking for the best historical fiction books based on true stories, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will explore some highly acclaimed novels that expertly blend fiction and history, offering an engaging reading experience.

1. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak:
Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, this moving novel tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace in stealing books. With Death as the narrator, Zusak's lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of life under Hitler's regime and the power of words to ignite hope in the darkest of times.

2. "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett:
Taking place in 12th-century England, this epic masterpiece follows the lives of various characters as they navigate power struggles and religious turmoil during the construction of a cathedral. Follett meticulously weaves historical events into the narrative, making it an engrossing and educational read.

3. "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr:
Set against the backdrop of World War II, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the intertwined stories of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths eventually cross in occupied France. Doerr's evocative prose and complex characters make this a gripping tale of humanity, sacrifice, and the power of resilience.

4. "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant:
Based on the biblical story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, this novel brings to life the world of ancient Mesopotamia. Diamant skillfully incorporates historical and cultural details to explore the lives of women in a patriarchal society, giving a voice to the often-overlooked characters of biblical narratives.

5. "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco:
This gripping murder mystery, set in a 14th-century Italian monastery, combines elements of historical fiction, philosophy, and theology. Eco's richly atmospheric novel offers an intriguing glimpse into medieval religious life while unraveling a complex web of secrets and forbidden knowledge.

For those eager to delve deeper into the world of historical fiction, there are several websites that provide curated lists and recommendations. Goodreads, a popular online platform for book lovers, offers a section dedicated to historical fiction where users can explore various genres, find community reviews, and engage in discussions. Additionally, websites like Historical Novel Society and BookBub provide comprehensive lists of historical fiction books, author interviews, and publishing news.

In conclusion, historical fiction based on true stories offers a captivating blend of reality and imagination. Whether you're interested in World War II, ancient civilizations, or medieval times, there is a plethora of well-crafted novels that can transport you to any era of history. So grab a cup of tea, curl up with one of these recommended books, and let your mind wander back in time. Happy reading!
The vastness of the late Ming Dynasty. Fiction
The vastness of the late Ming Dynasty.

Zhao Lie helplessly traversed to the late Ming Dynasty and found himself in the body of a second-generation official. It was the Tianqi period, a time of internal troubles and external threats, with the Great Ming Dynasty on the verge of collapse. For the sake of himself and his family, Zhao Lie had no choice but to navigate through various challenges, engaging in expeditions and battles that shaped the history of the Great Ming Dynasty, Korea, and

201.08 Million words | 2023-04-25 00:39Update

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Red Soviet Fiction
Red Soviet

The enormous steel warplane shimmered like a shooting star in the vast sky, reincarnating as Lieutenant Andrei in the Soviet Far Eastern Military District. He piloted a supersonic fighter jet, soaring through the air, showcasing his true heroism. While the Eastern Plain country faced threats from powerful Western nations, it pursued technological advancement to strengthen its military, embracing reform for national prosperity. The flags of the sickle and hammer bore witness to the deep-seated animosity from the freedom-loving world towards the Soviet Union.

516.80 Million words | 2022-02-23 14:11Update

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The Three Kingdoms: Chaos in a Turbulent Era. Fiction
The Three Kingdoms: Chaos in a Turbulent Era.

[Competition Entry for the "Splendors of the Tang Dynasty" in the Historical Genre Creation] The awakening of the Chinese will, the clash of various nations' wills, who will prove stronger between the First Emperor of Qin and Emperor Alexander, and how will history be altered?... Check out the new book "Sword Singing in the Ethereal Realm" if you're interested, your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

58.94 Million words | 2023-04-14 17:07Update

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Zhang Juzheng Fiction
Zhang Juzheng

Zhang Juzheng (Four Volumes) is the winner of the 6th Mao Dun Literature Prize. It revolves around the political struggle between Zhang Juzheng and the chief minister Gao Gong, showcasing the rise and fall of various political forces within and outside the imperial court. The novel vividly portrays characters with distinct personalities such as Zhang Juzheng, Gao Gong, Feng Bao, and Consort Li. Through vivid portrayal of typical settings and careful creation of historical atmosphere, the novel exhibits a clear historical rationality, with fervent and dynamic realism, vividly presenting a vast and intricate historical scenario linked to the 'Wanli New Policies' and showcasing the image of Zhang Juzheng, a complex reformer in feudal society, as well as the inevitability of his tragic fate. This book is a massive historical novel, permeated with an elegant and rustic charm, providing readers with an enjoyable reading experience that is both enlightening and captivating. It is the perfect choice for enthusiasts of historical fiction.

54.69 Million words | 2021-04-18 18:50Update

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Check-in in the Mythical late Ming Dynasty Fiction
Check-in in the Mythical late Ming Dynasty

Transmigrated to the Ming Dynasty, becoming the carpenter emperor Zhu Youxiao. Since I have arrived in the Ming Dynasty, it is my duty to make the Ming Dynasty shine throughout the world for thousands of years! 'Your Majesty, Xiong Tingbi has slain a rebellious dragon in the East Sea and presented the Dragon Ball as tribute!' A rebellious dragon? Dragon Ball? Zhu Youxiao: (⊙ω⊙)???(Irregular historical fiction, please do not take it seriously!)

166.49 Million words | 2022-03-13 18:02Update

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Usurpation of Qin Fiction
Usurpation of Qin

Yun Yue fell into a bottomless abyss and found herself in another world. Faced with the Warring States period from two thousand years ago, what will Yun Yue do? She feels lost... King Huiwen is a wise ruler, while General Lian Po is cunning. Crown Prince Dan is extremely weak, and Qin Shihuang is a completely deceitful man... The survival environment in the Warring States period is harsh, but Yun Yue manages to thrive. Han Xiong wrote too much darkness, while the Coup against Qin writes about much sunshine. Where there is light, there will also be shadows, and where there are shadows, there will inevitably be light.

205.82 Million words | 2020-11-09 03:05Update

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Greetings, Master. Fiction
Greetings, Master.

Unexpectedly deceased, Chu Xiu found himself transmigrated into the game world of "Big River and Lake," becoming the ultimate villainous boss of the yet-to-be-grown third edition, the evil cult leader causing havoc in the martial arts world! "Big River and Lake" incorporates countless martial arts backgrounds, such as the divine king Tianzi of Dong Island, who reads the future and kills with a smile. There is also the leader of the Beggar Gang, who wields the ultimate technique of the Falling Dragon, shaking the martial arts world. And there is the inheritor of the Flying Knife, who shatters the void with his blade, achieving unparalleled fame. In this

452.97 Million words | 2021-10-24 05:06Update

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Mighty Han Army Fiction
Mighty Han Army

New book in the works!

378.26 Million words | 2020-07-31 20:58Update

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Fake Lu Bu Fiction
Fake Lu Bu

Translating the text into English: Transmigrated into the body of Lu Bu in a game, originally supposed to be mighty and unparalleled. Unfortunately, his notorious reputation made it impossible for anyone to shelter him. In this situation, what path should he take? Xu Province has fallen under the control of Cao Cao, with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to the north, Yuan Shu, Sun Ce, and Liu Biao to the south. It can be said that he was born in the wrong era. Let's see where the protagonist will go. Join the discussion group for this book: [group link]. Welcome to join. (This book is serialized on the Zongheng platform, feel free to collect and support it.)

134.60 Million words | 2023-01-06 11:26Update

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Victoria's Secret Fiction
Victoria's Secret

A thousand years ago, the decisive battle between light and darkness took place. As the goddess slumbered, she left behind a prophecy, foretelling the coming of the savior. And now, a millennium later, the reborn soul finds itself lost in this world, burdened with a heavy responsibility, struggling to break free from the chains of mundane existence. Walking a precarious tightrope between good and evil, will he fulfill the prophecy and save humanity? Or will he bring about the destruction of all things? The vengeful judge returns from afar. What exactly is Victoria's secret?

157.55 Million words | 2023-06-28 15:13Update

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This land, I have seized it. Fiction
This land, I have seized it.

Taking over the position of the eleventh emperor of Anping, one day he would be assassinated 1,800 times. Of course, the eleventh emperor hesitated. However, her prime minister was both good-looking and intelligent, which made her reconsider this matter. "Ayi, the palace is so cold. I'll go to your prime minister's residence!" "Ayi, it's even colder in your residence. I'll go to your room!" "Ayi, your room—" "Your Majesty!" The eleventh emperor blinked his eyes. "I'm here!" Unfortunately, her prime minister deceived her, even though he risked his life to make her believe in him. "Ayi, if there's a next life and the prime minister is still you, I will kill you the first time I see you."

58.03 Million words | 2021-06-05 07:06Update

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The Supreme Hero Zhù Biāo in Water Margin Fiction
The Supreme Hero Zhù Biāo in Water Margin

The greatest tragedy for a time traveler is to be transported into a situation where his fiancée is about to be kidnapped by a group of bandits, his family is about to be killed, and even his own head is going to be chopped off. And somehow, the carefree Jiang Weimin finds himself in such a predicament. Who did he travel into? He became Zhu Biao, one of the three heroes of the Zhu family in "Water Margin," whose village is about to be attacked by Liangshan troops. How can he prevent his fiancée, Hu Sanniang, from being violated by these loathsome bandits? How can he save his family from being killed? And how can he avoid having his head chopped off by Li Kui, the Black Whirlwind? In the near future, the Jurchen cavalry will descend rapidly southward, sweeping through the Central Plains. On the eve of this turbulent era, as a young man with 21st century advanced thoughts, culture, science and technology, and management concepts, he should change history! Well, let's not talk nonsense, he should first change his own fate of being killed...

363.31 Million words | 2021-06-24 05:39Update

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The Dominator of the World at the End of Sui Dynasty. Fiction
The Dominator of the World at the End of Sui Dynasty.

At the end of the Sui Dynasty, chaos engulfed the land and heroes emerged. Various stalwart men fought for dominance in the Central Plains, but who would emerge victorious? Li Shimin, Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, Li Mi, Xiao Xian, Du Fuwei... Countless extraordinary individuals took to the stage, but who would have the last laugh? As a modern white-collar worker, reborn as a illegitimate child of Yuwen Huaji, in this tumultuous era of power struggle

37.11 Million words | 2023-04-18 09:11Update

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Miss's Personal Spy Fiction
Miss's Personal Spy

After awakening to the meaning of life, Zhang Tianbao, a super wealthy second-generation, acquired martial arts skills and went to Africa and Syria to form a mercenary group, leading an adrenaline-fueled life filled with bloodshed. During a rescue mission, unfortunately, he got hit by a cannon (yes, you read it right, a cannon, not a bullet), and found himself transported to an unknown ancient realm. There, he became a spy and embarked on a quest to find a way back. With a mysterious old man, influential employers, and a group of tormenting little girls, his life in this world became quite unfortunate. Zhang Tianbao said, "Life doesn't have to be just about the harsh reality before us. It also includes the beautiful

272.22 Million words | 2023-04-06 16:08Update

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The Last Soldier Fiction
The Last Soldier

In the end of the world... Special forces soldiers save the victims, rebuild their homeland, develop technology, and form armies. Riding horses among cherry blossoms, slaughtering America, bloodstaining Europe, growing into the ruler of Earth. Establishing the Earth Empire, the Galactic Corps breaks out of Earth and gazes upon the universe.

419.97 Million words | 2021-02-27 13:11Update

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Rise of the Prehistoric Age Fiction
Rise of the Prehistoric Age

Making stone and iron tools by themselves, they barbecue every day. Returning to the primitive society of prehistoric times, Wang Chuan expressed that if he didn't have a little fight with heaven and earth, he wouldn't be able to survive even if Mr. Bei came. And, of course, if they want to fight with heaven and earth, they have to start by learning from Mr. Bei.

100.87 Million words | 2020-12-08 17:52Update

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The first imperial concubine of the Ming Dynasty Fiction
The first imperial concubine of the Ming Dynasty

The new book "Iron-Blood Warlords" has been uploaded.

475.92 Million words | 2021-03-04 08:18Update

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The Elegant Household Servant Fiction
The Elegant Household Servant

Li Jin, a recently dismissed mechanical engineering graduate, was tragically killed in a car accident, only to unexpectedly find himself transported back to ancient times. Making the best of a bad situation, he shamelessly plagiarized the works of ancient poets and inventors, rising to power and surrounded by countless beauties in this new era...

547.12 Million words | 2022-09-02 17:50Update

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Prince of the Jianghu Fiction
Prince of the Jianghu

Originally titled 'The Prince's Stick Technique', the protagonist's father sent him to learn martial arts with the agreement that once he had mastered it, they would venture into the Jianghu together and capture female warriors. However, unexpectedly, the father passed away, and Qin Shou'an had no choice but to leave the mountain ahead of time and inherit this enchanting and alluring world of the Jianghu.

481.15 Million words | 2020-08-14 13:33Update

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Wind Rising in Longxi Fiction
Wind Rising in Longxi

The spy war of the Three Kingdoms era, witnessing the hidden brilliance of the intelligence master Zhuge Liang. An unknown enemy, the hunting and counter-hunting in the darkness. The tragic legend of the most successful spies and anti-spies in the Three Kingdoms, spanning from Hanzhong to the entire Yongliang region. The intense war between Wei and Shu, stretching across the Qinling Mountains. With clashing weapons and galloping horses, the era gives rise to many heroes. However, war is not only about bloodshed and battles, nor is it just about fighting. A silent war erupts in the unknown corners, fought deep within the enemy's heart and confronted with countless dangers. They operate in the shadows, sometimes hidden within their own ranks, doing the work of an executioner. These events will not be recorded in history books, nor will their names be left behind. Even their contemporaries will not perceive their existence. Yet, they quietly shape history and are indispensable, as they are the grand waves surging through the shadow of the era. The life and death struggle on the secret intelligence front during the Three Kingdoms era. This is a silent war...

554.33 Million words | 2022-05-19 13:34Update

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