Best Books on Writing and Editing Historical Fiction (72 books)

Are you an author or editor of historical fiction? Please add your favorite resources that are specific to the craft of writing and editing historical fiction.

If you'd like to recommend a book for general fiction writing or other specific genres, please see these lists:
Best Books on the Craft of Writing and Editing Fiction
Best Books on Writing and Editing Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Crime Fiction
Best Books on Writing and Editing Romance, Erotica, and Love Scenes
Best Books on Writing and Editing Sci-fi, Fantasy, Paranormal, and Dystopian Fiction
Best Books on Writing and Editing Young Adult (YA) Fiction

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1	MY DAUGHTER NATASHA: Discovering Life’s Hard Truths One Street At A Time by Artie Dimanche 4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Medieval Underpants and Other Blunders: A Writer's (and Editor's) Guide to Keeping Historical Fiction Free of Common Anachronisms, Errors, and Myths by Susanne Alleyn (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 585 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction: Researching and Writing Historical Fiction by James Alexander Thom 3.66 avg rating — 163 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	How To Write Killer Historical Mysteries: The Art and Adventure of Sleuthing Through the Past by Kathy Lynn Emerson (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 102 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England from 1811-1901 by Kristine Hughes 3.85 avg rating — 477 ratings score: 155, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew: From Fox Hunting to Whist—the Facts of Daily Life in 19th-Century England by Daniel Pool 3.85 avg rating — 5,753 ratings score: 145, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Author for Life or for a Living?: How to Stay Sane & Alive when Everything & Everyone Brings you Down: Manifesto for Real Writers by Cristina G. (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Title to Come by Kevin E. Spall (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Novel Editing Workbook: 105 Tricks & Tips for Revising Your Fiction Manuscript by Kris Spisak (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Eagle Scout Picture: A WWII Spy Thriller of Courage, Deception, and the cost of Survival by Gary Kidney (Goodreads Author) 4.91 avg rating — 197 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language by American Heritage 4.40 avg rating — 737 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Making It in Historical Fiction by Libbie Hawker (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 119 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Writing Horses: The Fine Art of Getting It Right by Judith Tarr (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	What People Wore When: A Complete Illustrated History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century for Every Level of Society by Melissa Leventon 3.87 avg rating — 328 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture by Cyril M. Harris (Editor) 4.16 avg rating — 75 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages: The British Isles, 500 to 1500 (Writer's Guide to Everyday Life Series) by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 418 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Renaissance England: From 1485-1649 (Writer's Guide to Everyday Life Series) by Kathy Lynn Emerson (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 116 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	A Dictionary of Costume and Fashion: Historic and Modern by Mary Brooks Picken 3.95 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West (WRITER'S GUIDE TO EVERYDAY LIFE SERIES) by Candy Vyvey Moulton 4.14 avg rating — 133 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Writing Historical Fiction (Writing Series) by Rhona Martin (Goodreads Author) 3.46 avg rating — 63 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life from Prohibition Through World War II by Marc McCutcheon 3.84 avg rating — 83 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Sex in Georgian England by A.D. Harvey 3.74 avg rating — 23 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Food in History by Reay Tannahill 3.97 avg rating — 1,604 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey 3.76 avg rating — 2,642 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Sex in History by Reay Tannahill 3.89 avg rating — 1,184 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Lost Country Life by Dorothy Hartley 4.18 avg rating — 90 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Clean by Katherine Ashenburg 3.72 avg rating — 2,503 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Not Angels, but Anglicans: A History of Christianity in the British Isles by Henry Chadwick (Editor) 3.79 avg rating — 24 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Europe at Home by Raffaella Sarti 3.92 avg rating — 79 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Desperate Romantics: The Private Lives of the Pre-Raphaelites by Franny Moyle 4.02 avg rating — 562 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt by Lionel Casson 3.61 avg rating — 76 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Cornovia by Craig Weatherhill 4.59 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America: From 1607-1783 by Dale Taylor 4.01 avg rating — 99 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Regency Underworld by Donald A. Low 3.80 avg rating — 92 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Everyday Life of the North American Indian by Jon Manchip White 3.86 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Margaretta Acworth's Georgian Cookery Book by Alice Prochaska (Editor) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Everyday Life In Viking Times by Hazel Mary Martell 3.85 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Medieval People by Eileen Power 3.62 avg rating — 1,052 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of the Home by Lucy Worsley 3.90 avg rating — 5,794 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Historical Research Companion to Everything of Interest to a Romance Writer by Melissa Johnson (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	English Medieval House by Margaret E. Wood 3.92 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Travel in the Ancient World by Lionel Casson 4.14 avg rating — 185 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Down the Common: A Year in the Life of a Medieval Woman by Ann Baer 4.18 avg rating — 1,214 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine by Toni Mount (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 163 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Swearing: A Social History of Foul Language, Oaths & Profanity in English by Geoffrey Hughes 3.72 avg rating — 99 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	A History of Everyday Life in Medieval Scotland by Edward J. Cowan (Editor) 4.55 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Art of War for Writers: Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics, and Exercises by James Scott Bell (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 1,632 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Life in a Medieval City by Frances Gies 3.83 avg rating — 3,876 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Writing Historical Fiction (Writing Lessons from the Front #8) by Angela Elwell Hunt (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 49 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Renaissance Florence on 5 Florins a Day (Traveling on 5) by Charles FitzRoy 3.94 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 1) by Rayne Hall 4.13 avg rating — 521 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Ancient Egypt on 5 Deben a Day (Traveling on 5) by Donald P. Ryan 3.87 avg rating — 167 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Writing Historical Fiction: Creating the Historical Blockbuster by Marina Oliver 3.27 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day by Philip Matyszak 3.97 avg rating — 716 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons by Serita Stevens (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 385 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Ancient Athens on 5 Drachmas a Day by Philip Matyszak 3.84 avg rating — 196 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Get Started in Writing Historical Fiction by Emma Darwin (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 101 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain by Peter Fryer 4.40 avg rating — 215 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Black London: Life Before Emancipation by Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina 4.04 avg rating — 295 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Children of Uncertain Fortune: Mixed-Race Jamaicans in Britain and the Atlantic Family, 1733 - 1833 by Daniel Livesay 4.50 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth-Century India by William Dalrymple 3.97 avg rating — 5,117 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Gentleman's Daughter: Women's Lives in Georgian England by Amanda Vickery 3.87 avg rating — 529 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 3,885 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Dress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion by Hilary Davidson 4.41 avg rating — 177 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Regency Slang Revealed: Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue & Later Versions - Organised & Indexed by Louise Allen (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 35 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Regency Years: During Which Jane Austen Writes, Napoleon Fights, Byron Makes Love, and Britain Becomes Modern by Robert Morrison 3.92 avg rating — 877 ratings score: 65, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Regency Companion by Sharon Laudermilk 4.24 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Jane Austen's England: Daily Life in the Georgian and Regency Periods by Lesley Adkins 3.82 avg rating — 1,823 ratings score: 63, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	How to Be a Victorian by Ruth Goodman 4.25 avg rating — 7,678 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Horse and Carriage: The Pageant of Hyde Park by J.N.P. Watson 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings score: 59, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain by Peter Fryer 4.40 avg rating — 215 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Lady's Stratagem: A Repository of 1820s Directions for the Toilet, Mantua-Making, Stay-Making, Millinery & Etiquette by Frances Grimble (editor) 4.29 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 57, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars