What struggles did average families endure during the Civil War? How did women live in the royal courts of ancient China? What was daily life like in Europe during the Industrial Revolution? The answers to all these questions and more can be found in the pages of historical novels.

What is a historical novel? The Historical Novel Society says historical novels must have been written at least fifty years after the events described or have been written by someone who was not alive at the time of those events, thus approaching the events only by research. In addition, alternate histories, pseudo-histories, historical fantasies and multiple-time novels also qualify.

No matter what the time or place, historical novels always promise an engaging read that provides new knowledge and insight. Enjoy a trip of your own to some bygone era. Here are some favorites:

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
Ursula, Under by Ingrid Hill
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Atlas Grace by Margaret Atwood
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier