From a bestseller of the 17th century: Johan Nieuhof’s An Embassy from the East-India Company
I don’t know what makes a bestseller.
Last month, after thirty-five years of writing books, I earned a spot on The New York Times bestseller list in the paperback nonfiction category. My book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist took the #11 position – thirteen years after its initial publication.
I did not expect it to happen, but the appearance on Netflix of the movie Nuremberg, adapted from my book, fueled the rise in sales. Movie watchers must still pay attention to the ending credits. The following week my book was gone from the list.
Despite the brevity of my book’s appearance, my current publisher quickly placed “New York Times bestselling author” – it feels strange to see that phrase – next to my name on the cover of my new book, The Case of the Autographed Corpse, forthcoming in October 2026. I’ll give more news about that book soon.
In Damn History you'll find, as usual, recommendations on good and popularly accessible historical reading, with tips on writing and updates on my own work.
Follow me on X at @Jack_ElHai, on Bluesky at @jackelhai.bsky.social, and on Threads at @jackelhai1.
Contact me by email at [email protected]
Personal Notes
During April, I will record episodes about The Nazi and the Psychiatrist for at least nine podcasts. Here are some previously released podcast episodes in which I appear: WritersCast, The Science of Personality Podcast, History as It Happens, Smooth Brain Society, Most Notorious!, The Art of Crime, Breaking Points, Dan Snow’s History Hit, Gaslit Nation, The WW2 Podcast, Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller, and Living History with Mat McLachan.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation has banned screenings of the movie Nuremberg, adapted from my book.
For my recommendations of popular-history books, search X, Bluesky, or Threads for #popularhistory.
Recent Popular History from All Over
You may find some of these articles behind a paywall if you’ve exceeded the publisher’s allowance of free views.
A university archive holds records that added to the recent allegations of sexual abuse against César Chávez.
A man’s imminent death forced the writing of a Holocaust story.
Scientists search for the lost Eighth Wonder of the world.
The story of hostage Otto Warmbier remains insufficiently known.
A historian battles rumors that Anne Boleyn was a witch who had six fingers.
Thirty years ago, a reporter vanished, and she later reappeared with amnesia.
The Dada art movement caused pandemonium.
A photo collector escaped Russia with a trove of historic World War II images.
An obsession to create the world’s biggest jeweled egg destroyed an artist.
Bulletproof vests were notoriously ineffective during the U.S. Civil War.
Resources
Recent studies indicate that listening to audiobooks should count as reading.
[Not legal advice.] Never ever submit to a polygraph examination.
Why did three nations vote against a UN resolution recommending reparations for the wrongs of slavery? (And many more abstained.)
Fewer than ten full-time book review critics work in the U.S. today.
Press freedom in the U.S. has sharply declined.
Another independent bookstore works to preserve Constitutional rights.
“It takes an awful lot of time to not write a book.” – Douglas Adams
Housekeeping
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More next month, and thanks for looking. And you are welcome to forward Damn History in its entirety to anyone.
About me: I'm a history and science writer. I've contributed hundreds of articles to such publications as Smithsonian, The Atlantic, The Washington Post Magazine, Wired, Scientific American, Discover, GQ, Longreads and many others. My books include The Lost Brothers: A Family’s Decades-Long Search, The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness, Non-Stop: A Turbulent History of Northwest Airlines, and The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goering, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of Minds at the End of WW2.
I frequently give talks and lead workshops on the topics of my books as well as on the craft of nonfiction writing. To book me for your event, please contact Jayme Boucher, Hachette Speakers Bureau, at [email protected]. For media outreach and other presentation opportunities, contact Ann Aronson at [email protected].
Please feel free to get in touch.
