Explore our curated guide to Cleveland history books from the past year—packed with fascinating stories and local charm! These books make the perfect thoughtful gift for history enthusiasts and proud Clevelanders alike. Don’t miss the chance to surprise your loved ones with a meaningful holiday present that celebrates our city’s rich past.
Cleveland Landmarks Press
Make sure to check out more Cleveland history books through Teaching Cleveland’s in-house publisher, Cleveland Landmark Press!
Half American
Half American dives into the untold stories of African Americans during World War II, revealing their pivotal role in the conflict. Delmont takes readers on a journey through the struggles and triumphs of Black soldiers who fought for their country both overseas and on the home front. From battling racism within the military to confronting segregation in their everyday lives, the book unpacks the complex intersection of race, war, and citizenship during this tumultuous period.
Why They Marched
In her book, Why They Marched, Susan Ware delves into the diverse array of women who fought tirelessly for their right to vote, shedding light on their motivations, challenges, and triumphs. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Ware brings to life the experiences of suffragists from all walks of life, from well-known figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to lesser-known activists whose contributions were equally significant.
Derelict Paradise
Daniel R. Kerr, in his book Derelict Paradise: Homelessness and Urban Development in Cleveland, Ohio, examines the way tensions between industry and politics collided with those on the margins. His book traces the developments of the city and its institutions as its seemingly unbounded expansion ran headlong into laborers who struggled to create their own communities and the nearby working-class neighborhoods filled with individuals who provided the brawn behind the industrial boom.
Empire Builders
In Lauren Pacini’s newly released book, Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers, readers are invited to delve into the tale of two visionary brothers who left an incredible mark on Cleveland’s landscape. Pacini brings to life the story of Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen, whose vision reshaped the urban fabric of Cleveland during the early 20th century. At the heart of the narrative are the brothers’ ambitious projects, including the development of the Terminal Tower complex and the construction of the Shaker Heights suburb.
Where the River Burned
In 1980, author and historian James Toman (and founder of our very own Cleveland Landmarks Press) wrote that “Clevelanders seem to suffer from a type of urban insecurity.” And no wonder. Clevelanders in the previous few decades had witnessed massive outmigration of its population to the suburbs, job losses in the tens of thousands, racial violence, and of course extreme environmental degradation centered in the industrial valley along the Cuyahoga River. And we all know what happened there in July 1969.
Ballots and Bullets
Ballots and Bullets, by Cleveland attorney and author James Robenalt, is a fascinating and in-depth account of the Glenville Shootout and the subsequent riots in July 1968. In many ways, the book reads like a novel and in others, like an investigative report of the lead up to, and aftermath of, those tragic days in the summer of 1968.
