With the upcoming, much-anticipated release of Erik Larson‘s new book The Demon of Unrest, due to be released April 30, 2024. We thought it would be a great time to stop and review his expansive bibliography of bestsellers. With bestselling books in the True Crime, History, and Biography genres, there’ll be something here for all nonfiction lovers. So without further ado, here are Erik Larson’s books ranked according to their Goodreads rating.
This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using links on this page, we might earn a commission.
All of Erik Larson’s Books in Ranked According to Goodreads Rating
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, by Erik Larson
Goodreads Rating: 4.29 / 5
Released on February 25, 2020 by Crown
A captivating narrative around Churchill’s leadership, his family’s struggles, and the unwavering spirit of Londoners under relentless Nazi bombardment. Witness history unfold through Churchill’s eyes as he rallies a nation, navigates political turmoil, and finds solace in family amid the nightly terror of air raids. Larson masterfully blends the grand with the intimate, painting a vivid picture of defiance in the face of unimaginable darkness. Don’t miss this electrifying story of courage, resilience, and the human cost of war.
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, by Erik Larson
Goodreads Rating 4.11/5
Released on March 3, 2015 by Crown
You’ll be transported back to the fateful 1915 voyage of the Lusitania. A luxurious ocean liner brimming with passengers, on its way from New York to Liverpool. The story unfolds through the gripping perspectives of two men. Captain William Turner, determined to navigate the war-torn seas, and U-boat commander Walther Schwieger, tasked with sinking enemy ships. As their paths converge in the North Atlantic, a tense game of cat and mouse ensues, culminating in the shocking disaster that claimed over 1,190 lives and forever altered the course of World War I. Larson’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring this historical tragedy to life. Offering a nuanced exploration of the complex events and individuals that led to the sinking.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, by Erik Larson
Released on February 11, 2003 by Crown
Chicago’s dazzling 1893 World’s Fair, a testament to human progress, becomes a macabre stage for two contrasting figures: Daniel Burnham, a visionary architect striving for urban utopia, and H.H. Holmes, a cunning serial killer constructing his own “Murder Castle” nearby. Larson masterfully weaves their narratives, showcasing architectural marvels and technological wonders alongside the chilling darkness lurking beneath the fair’s excitement, leaving you pondering the duality of human nature and the shadows that can creep even into the brightest moments.
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin, by Erik Larson
Goodreads Rating: 3.88 / 5
Released on May 10, 2011 by Crown
Witness the chilling rise of Nazi Germany through the eyes of America’s ambassador, William Dodd, and his family as they navigate the intoxicating yet increasingly sinister social scene of Berlin in 1933. Amidst diplomatic tensions and glamorous facades, his daughter Martha becomes entangled in a love affair with a high-ranking Nazi official, revealing the party’s true ruthlessness as the darkness deepens. Prepare to be captivated by a true story of love, intrigue, and the terrifying awakening to the Nazi regime’s true nature.
Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, by Erik Larson
Goodreads Rating: 4.04 / 5
Released on July 11, 2000 by Vintage Books
Isaac’s Storm plunges you into the deadly 1900 Galveston hurricane, weaving the hubris of weatherman Isaac Cline, who underestimates the monster brewing in the Gulf, with the terrifying storm’s relentless power. Through meticulous research and survivor testimonies, Larson exposes the era’s limited science and Cline’s fatal misjudgment, culminating in the devastating tragedy that forever changed Galveston and serves as a stark reminder of human fragility against the fury of nature.
Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson
Goodreads Rating: 3.76 / 5
Released on February 2006, by Crown
A thrilling true story where history unfolds through two colliding lives. On one hand, you have Guglielmo Marconi, the young genius and inventor of wireless communication, pushing the boundaries of technology amidst fierce competition. On the other, there’s Hawley Crippen, a seemingly mild-mannered chemist who becomes Britain’s second most infamous murderer after poisoning his wife and fleeing with his mistress. As Marconi’s groundbreaking technology aids in Crippen’s capture across the Atlantic, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined in a riveting international manhunt across stormy seas and a changing world. Prepare to be transported to Edwardian London and witness the birth of a technological revolution alongside a shocking crime that captivated the world.
Erik Larson’s Upcoming Book: The Demon of Unrest
Erik Larson’s upcoming much anticipated new book, The Demon Of Unrest is set to be released on April 30, 2024, and will be his 7th book. It dives into the five tense months before the American Civil War. Showcasing the human drama and brewing conflict as Abraham Lincoln battles to hold a divided nation together. It is currently available for preorder at Amazon where it is the #1 Best Seller in American Civil War Biographies.
The Demon of Unrest, by Erik Larson
Release Date: April 30, 2024 by Crown
Erik Larson’s The Demon of Unrest thrusts you into the tense five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War. It’s a slow-burning yet gripping narrative where the nation’s deep divisions rise like storm clouds. Witness Lincoln navigate a treacherous political landscape, grappling with secessionist threats and battling his own cabinet. Feel the mounting anxiety as Southern states break away and Fort Sumter becomes a flashpoint. All while personal tragedies and political ambitions intertwine. Larson masterfully captures the human cost of escalating tensions, leaving you pondering the path that led America to the brink of bloody conflict.
Thank you for Reading. The above are Erik Larson’s books ranked according to their Goodreads Rating. But we want to know, which ones have you read? Which ones are on your TBR? In which order would you rank them? let us know in the comments or join the conversation on X: @Nonfictioned1
