A List of Books by Erik Larson

Updated: December 4, 2021

Are you looking for a list of all books by Erik Larson?

Erik Larson is one of my favorite authors, and I've read all of his books. I love that they take a point in history and expand upon everything that happened due to this one event. His books are engaging and cover topics that you won't read about almost anywhere else.

Below is a list of all of his non-fiction books. I've listed them in order based on how much I liked each one. I would love to know which one you think is the best!

Books by Erik Larson

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

The Devil in the White City

Published: 2004

Pages: 447

If you're looking for a thrilling read, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is a book you will love.

This non-fiction book tells the story of two men striving to be recognized as geniuses during America's most prosperous time. One man, Daniel Burnham, is an architect who will go down in history as one of Chicago's best designers. The other man - H.H. Holmes - may have been America's first serial killer. 

Larson weaves the story of these two men into an exciting tale during Chicago's 1893 World Fair.


Thunderstruck

Thunderstruck

Published: 2006

Pages: 480

Erik Larson's Thunderstruck tells the story of two men, Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse.

Tesla is a genius inventor with an imagination that goes beyond his time. He has had ideas for some of the most important inventions in history, but he could never get them out into society due to a lack of funds or connections.

On the other hand, George Westinghouse had money and connections that allowed him to take these ideas and turn them into reality. These two men are perfect foils for one another; they both have their strengths, but they also share weaknesses that lead to their eventual downfall.

This book is genuinely captivating because it illustrates how even geniuses can be wrong about certain things.


Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

Dead Wake

Published: 2015

Pages: 430

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson is a fascinating and captivating tale about one of history's most famous maritime disasters.

This book tells how Germany sent a submarine to sink the ship and then followed it for days to ensure that no passengers survived. It also describes the stories of those who were on board and their families back home.

As with all of Erick Larson's books, it's an exciting read with an ending that you will never forget!


Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

Isaac's Storm

Published: 2011

Pages: 338

Erik Larson's book, Isaac's Storm, is a story of Isaac Cline and the deadliest hurricane in American history. It recounts both his life and that of Galveston, Texas, at the turn of the century. The book begins with an introduction to Isaac Cline, meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau stationed out on Galveston Island when a devastating storm hit it on September 8th, 1900.

He had been warned about this storm two days previously but did not heed any warnings given beforehand because he knew how lousy weather forecasting was back then; he relied entirely on observations made from nothing more than clouds. This book looks at the events that led up to, during, and after the hurricane.


The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

The Splendid and the Vile

Published: 2020

Pages: 546

H.G. Wells once said, "History is written by the victors," and this couldn't be more true in Erik Larson's book, The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, & Defiance. Hailing from an aristocratic family who fought against tyranny in England for centuries (and lost), Winston Churchill was born to be a politician.

From his early days as a Parliament member to his later years as Prime Minister during World War II, he never faltered when it came to standing up for what he believed in, not even when it put him at odds with his family members. There are many fascinating stories about Churchill's time as Prime Minister during WWII, including his relationship with Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin.

This book is perfect for anyone interested in history or Winston Churchill!


In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

Garden Beasts

Published: 2011

Pages: 466

In 1933, American ambassador William Dodd and his wife arrived in Berlin to take up their post. A year later, they witnessed Hitler's rise to power and the outbreak of World War II. They meet and grow close to Germans from every walk of life: members of the Nazi party; anti-Nazi socialists; a Jewish doctor forced into exile; German generals plotting against Hitler; widows living in fear under the Nazis.

What follows is an extraordinary story told with intelligence, humor, honesty, irony—and deep insight into what it was like being an American family in Germany at this crucial time.

The book draws on unpublished diaries, secret cables, and hours of taped interviews with members of America's small Nazi-expatriate community for its rich portrait--a chronicle told from inside by an eyewitness who experienced history firsthand.


Lethal Passage: The Story of a Gun

Lethal Passage

Published: 2011

Pages: 466

Lethal Passage is an in-depth look into the history of guns and how they have changed over time. This book takes you on a journey through the ages to show how guns evolved from early weapons like arrows and spears to today's advanced firearms. Along with this evolution, there has been an increase in gun violence due to the accessibility of these weapons.

Through his research, he also discovered that while some countries try to keep guns out of civilians' hands, others are pushing for more lenient gun laws. It is a fascinating read as he explores the influence of guns and how the rules regarding their control affects each of us.


The Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities

The Naked Consumer

Published: 1994

Pages: 288

In this deeply personal book, Erik Larson noticed that while his wife was pregnant, they started getting loads of junk mail that was focused on anything related to babies and parents. After realizing this, he wanted to delve into how the government, corporations, and other entities find out information on the average consumer and use it against us.

As you read it, you'll see how easy it is to collect information on you, such as when you swipe your card at the checkout and sees what you are buying. After reading this book, you'll be a more informed consumer, and you can start to control more of what information is given away and what is being done to you because of it.

This is a must-read if you care about your privacy and the privacy of the ones you love.


More about Erik Larson

Erik Larson has written many books on history, but his most famous is probably The Devil in the White City. He was born in 1954 and grew up near Seattle on a dairy farm. His father was a lawyer who loved to read, as did his mom. Finding himself intrigued by other writers, he also became interested in journalism at a young age. Erik went to college at the University of California-Berkeley, where he majored in English literature.

After graduating from Yale University with a degree in history, he worked as an investigative journalist for six years before becoming a full-time writer. His first book was published in 1988 about Silicon Valley during the 1980s boom there. 

He has won several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction (1991) and The National Book Award (2002).