Dig deep while reading narrow by completing a microhistory for the Read Great Things 2021 Challenge.
The most important question: What the heck is a microhistory?
A microhistory is a narrowly-focused, in-depth examination of a certain subject or individual over time. Some microhistories focus on illuminating the life and impact of a lesser-known group, event, or individual. Others dig deep into a subject or object to trace its historical, social, and/or other (economic, cultural, psychological, medical, etc.) impacts. A microhistory isn’t necessarily a short book– it can dig deep on a narrow topic over many pages.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Courtney Bippley (who loves microhistories) for compiling book lists of lots of things we have available. Click through to see some of the books (ebooks included!) that you can get through Durham Tech and for some reading lists from around the internet of additional options.
Click on the link in the caption to go to the book (if digital) or the record, where you can put it on hold or just learn more about it.
Some microhistories on people, places, or events:
Available as an audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available at Main Campus (QM 691 .B86 H83 2018) 
Available through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available at Main Campus (F 2651 .F55 G72 2009) 
Available at Main Campus (PS 3603 .A78 Z46 2018) 
Available through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available as an audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available at Main Campus (F 264 .W7 Z83 2020) 
Available at Main Campus (GC 231.2 .H65 2012)
Some microhistories on places and things:
Available through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available at Main Campus (ND 1488 .F56 2004) 
Available through Ebook Central 
Available through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available through Ebook Central 
Available through Ebook Central 
Available at Orange County Campus (RC 148 .W37 2013) 
Available at Main Campus (RK 58.5 .O88 2017) 
Available at Main Campus (HG 171 .F47 2008) 
Available through Ebook Central 
Available at Main Campus (QK 661 .H36 2015) 
Available at Main Campus (TP 640 .C67 2013) 
Available at Main Campus (UG 400 .W35 2018) 
Available as an audiobook through Dogwood Digital Library 
Available at Main Campus (GT 165.5 .B79 2011)
We have many more microhistories available in our collection, including some about food, food fraud, historical figureheads, sport walking, NC accents, water, milk, paper, STIs and public health, and small towns, but feel free to explore the following lists about microhistories to find your [narrow] topic of choice:
- 8 of the Best Feminist Microhistories for Your TBR | Book Riot
- 50 Must Read Microhistories | Book Riot
- Goodreads Microhistory Lists
- Duke University’s Microworlds Lab (discusses microhistories through a research lens)
Want to check one of these books out? You can either request it yourself through the catalog or contact us and we can get it for you and schedule a time for you to come get it. Dogwood Digital books can be checked out through the Libby app or can be read in your browser. Ebook Central ebooks can be read in Adobe Digital Editions or in your browser.
Happy reading! And remember that any of these books fit into our favorite category– A book suggested by a Durham Tech Library staff member or on the Library blog!
Looking for more Read Great Things 2021 category suggestions? Check out our short book list from January, our outer space books from February, and our self-care books from March.
