12 Authors Similar to Erik Larson for Gripping Nonfiction

There are several authors similar to Erik Larson who bring the past to life with the same depth and narrative flair.

From investigative journalists to masterful historians, these writers craft nonfiction that reads like the best fiction.

Whether you’re drawn to true crime, adventure or deep dives into forgotten moments in history, this list will introduce you to your next great read.

12 Authors Similar to Erik Larson

1. Jon Krakauer

Writing Style & Themes:
Krakauer blends investigative journalism with gripping storytelling. He dives deep into real events, uncovering the human drama behind them. 

His books are meticulously researched and often explore morality, survival and the darker side of human nature.

Notable Books/Series:

• Under the Banner of Heaven
• Missoula
• Into Thin Air
• Into the Wild

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Krakauer’s books are intense, thought-provoking and impossible to put down. 

His ability to turn real-life events into gripping narratives makes him a perfect choice for Larson’s fans.

Jon Krakauer’s Website: https://jonkrakauer.com 

2. Bill Bryson

Writing Style & Themes:
Bryson takes a more humorous approach to narrative nonfiction but his deep research and engaging storytelling align with Larson’s style. 

He makes history, science and travel entertaining, weaving facts into compelling narratives.

Notable Books/Series:

• In a Sunburned Country
• A Short History of Nearly Everything
• One Summer: America, 1927
• The Body: A Guide for Occupants

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Bryson makes history and science fun. His ability to mix deep research with humor and engaging storytelling makes learning feel effortless.

Bill Bryson’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7.Bill_Bryson 

3. Sarah Vowell

Writing Style & Themes:
Vowell blends history with memoir and humor, much like Larson but with a more personal and conversational tone. 

She uncovers lesser-known historical events through her own quirky lens, making them both educational and entertaining.

Notable Books/Series:

• Unfamiliar Fishes
• Assassination Vacation
• Lafayette in the Somewhat United States

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Vowell’s books are rich with history but feel like funny conversations. She brings the past to life in an accessible and often hilarious way.

Sarah Vowell’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2122.Sarah_Vowell 

4. Tony Horwitz

Writing Style & Themes:
Horwitz had a gift for bringing history alive through immersive narrative-driven journeys. 

Like Larson, he blended deep research with personal storytelling, making the past feel immediate and relevant.

Notable Books/Series:

• Confederates in the Attic
• Blue Latitudes
• A Voyage Long and Strange
• Midnight Rising

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Horwitz’s books feel like time travel. His ability to connect historical events to the present makes history come alive in a fresh and engaging way.

Tony Horwitz’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16541.Tony_Horwitz 

5. Laura Hillenbrand

Writing Style & Themes:
Hillenbrand’s writing is immersive and richly detailed. 

She meticulously researches real-life events and turns them into emotional fast-paced narratives that read like novels.

Notable Books/Series:

• Seabiscuit
• Unbroken

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Hillenbrand’s storytelling is deeply emotional and inspiring. She brings real-life heroes to the page with vivid detail and cinematic storytelling.

Laura Hillenbrand’s Website: https://laurahillenbrandbooks.com 

6. Michael Pollan

Writing Style & Themes:
Pollan explores science, history and culture through engaging narrative-driven writing. 

Like Larson, he uncovers fascinating stories behind real-world topics, making complex subjects accessible and compelling.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Omnivore’s Dilemma
• In Defense of Food
• The Botany of Desire
• How to Change Your Mind

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Pollan makes readers think differently about everyday things. His ability to weave science, history and personal experiences into compelling narratives makes his books both informative and engaging.

Michael Pollan’s Website: https://michaelpollan.com

7. A. J. Jacobs

Writing Style & Themes:
Jacobs blends investigative journalism with immersive, often humorous personal experiences. 

Like Larson, he dives deep into research but adds an experimental first-person approach to exploring history, culture and human behavior.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Year of Living Biblically
• The Know-It-All
• Thanks a Thousand
• The Puzzler

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Jacobs makes learning fun by living his research. His books are insightful, witty and packed with surprising historical and cultural discoveries.

A. J. Jacobs’s Website: https://ajjacobs.com

8. David McCullough

Writing Style & Themes:
McCullough was a master of historical storytelling, bringing key moments in history to life with vivid detail and deep research. 

Like Larson, he focused on real events, crafting them into compelling narratives.

Notable Books/Series:

• John Adams
• 1776
• The Wright Brothers
• The Path Between the Seas

Why Readers Will Love Him:
McCullough’s writing is immersive and cinematic. He makes history feel immediate and personal, giving readers a deeper appreciation of the past.

David McCullough’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6281688.David_McCullough 

9. Gilbert King

Writing Style & Themes:
King specializes in narrative nonfiction with a strong investigative and legal focus. 

Like Larson, he uncovers shocking true stories, often blending history, crime and social justice themes.

Notable Books/Series:

• Devil in the Grove
• Beneath a Ruthless Sun

Why Readers Will Love Him:
King’s books read like gripping legal thrillers. His ability to uncover hidden injustices and bring them to life makes for compelling and thought-provoking reading.

Gilbert King’s Website: https://gilbertking.com

10. Christopher McDougall

Writing Style & Themes:
McDougall blends investigative journalism with adventure storytelling, often uncovering hidden histories and extraordinary real-life feats. 

His books, like Larson’s, turn nonfiction into page-turning narratives.

Notable Books/Series:

• Born to Run
• Natural Born Heroes
• Running with Sherman

Why Readers Will Love Him:
McDougall’s books are inspiring and full of unexpected twists. His ability to connect history, science and human endurance makes his storytelling both exciting and insightful.

Christopher McDougall’s Website: https://chrismcdougall.com

11. Nathaniel Philbrick

Writing Style & Themes:
Philbrick is a master of maritime and American history. His books turn historical events into thrilling well researched narratives.

Notable Books/Series:

• In the Heart of the Sea
• Mayflower
• Valiant Ambition
• Bunker Hill

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Philbrick’s writing is immersive and cinematic. His ability to transport readers into the past with all its drama and humanity makes history feel alive.

Nathaniel Philbrick’s Website: https://nathanielphilbrick.com

12. Simon Winchester

Writing Style & Themes:
Winchester excels at uncovering the fascinating stories behind real-world events, places and discoveries. 

Like Larson, he weaves history, science and biography into compelling narratives.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Professor and the Madman
• Krakatoa
• The Map That Changed the World
• The Men Who United the States

Why Readers Will Love Him:
Winchester turns obscure history into gripping storytelling. 

His books uncover the hidden forces that shaped the modern world, making them both educational and highly engaging.

Simon Winchester’s Website: https://www.simonwinchester.com 

Last Word on the Authors Like Erik Larson

If you’re looking for writers like Erik Larson, the above list offers a diverse range of voices who share his talent for making real events feel immediate and unforgettable.

Whether you’re drawn to gripping true crime like Gilbert King’s Devil in the Grove or the adventure-packed histories of Simon Winchester, there’s no shortage of brilliant storytelling to explore.

With these authors, history isn’t just something you read, it’s something you experience.

So which book from these authors similar to Erik Larson will you dive into next?