The 10 best history books

At the Independent, Jamie Merrill named ten history books capable of "improv[ing] your general knowledge."

One title on the list:

Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town (US title: The Fires of Vesuvius)
by Mary Beard

Mary Beard uses the ancient relics buried by the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius to bring the existence of everyday Roman people to life. Covering everything from government to graffiti, Beard's work takes the humdrum of Roman domesticity and turns it into a compelling account of the life of one Roman town.

Read about another book on Merrill's list.

The Page 99 Test: The Fires of Vesuvius.

--Marshal Zeringue