Want to know what books Mike Dash recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Mike Dash's favorite book recommendations of all time.
1
Bernard Wasserstein | 4.18
Traces the life of Trebitsch Lincoln, a con man, revolutionary, spy, missionary, and British member of Parliament and attempts to portray his complex personality. more Traces the life of Trebitsch Lincoln, a con man, revolutionary, spy, missionary, and British member of Parliament and attempts to portray his complex personality. less 
Mike DashThe reason I love this book is because it’s the sort of the story that, as a historian, you dream of stumbling over. Bernard Wasserstein, who wrote it, is a bona fide professor of history and he has this preface at the beginning of the book where he sets out in rather fascinating detail how he came across this story. He was in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University one day, it was pouring and... (Source)
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2
In 1876, three girls from the German village of Marpingen claimed to see a vision of the Virgin Mary. Thousands flocked to the area. Now, a leading historian brilliantly reflects on Germany's crisis-laden atmosphere at the time, and offers a subtle interpretation of the interplay between politics and religion. more In 1876, three girls from the German village of Marpingen claimed to see a vision of the Virgin Mary. Thousands flocked to the area. Now, a leading historian brilliantly reflects on Germany's crisis-laden atmosphere at the time, and offers a subtle interpretation of the interplay between politics and religion. less Mike DashDavid Blackbourn is an incredible historian. I encountered him because I was looking for a readable history of Germany in the 19th century, which is the time it becomes really, really important. He’s a British guy who is a professor at Harvard now and he writes really well and clearly, mostly in an overarching analytical style, and he’s writing histories of centuries. Marpingen is the opposite.... (Source)
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3
He was only a Dutch tailor's apprentice, but from 1534 to 1535, Jan van Leyden led a radical sect of persecuted Anabaptists to repeated triumphs over the combined powers of church and state. Revered by his followers as the new David, the charismatic young leader pronounced the northern German city of Muenster a new Zion and crowned himself king. He expropriated all private property, took sixteen wives (supposedly emulating the biblical patriarchs), and in a deadly reign of terror, executed all who opposed him. As the long siege of Muenster resulted in starvation, thousands fled Jan's deadly... more He was only a Dutch tailor's apprentice, but from 1534 to 1535, Jan van Leyden led a radical sect of persecuted Anabaptists to repeated triumphs over the combined powers of church and state. Revered by his followers as the new David, the charismatic young leader pronounced the northern German city of Muenster a new Zion and crowned himself king. He expropriated all private property, took sixteen wives (supposedly emulating the biblical patriarchs), and in a deadly reign of terror, executed all who opposed him. As the long siege of Muenster resulted in starvation, thousands fled Jan's deadly kingdom while others waited behind the double walls and moats for the apocalyptic final attack by the Prince-Bishop's hired armies, supported by all the rulers of Europe.
With the sudden rise to power of a compelling personality and the resulting violent threat to ordered society, Jan van Leyden's distant story strangely echoes the many tragedies of the twentieth century. More than just a fascinating human drama from the past, The Tailor-King also offers insight into our own troubled times.
less Mike DashThe Anabaptists now have the reputation of being the most pacifist people you could possibly meet. The Amish, a Mennonite group, are the most obvious representatives that most Americans know. They came into existence as a direct reaction against the unbelievable events that they were involved in during the 16th century. At core, Anabaptism was then a millenarian cult. One of their prime beliefs... (Source)
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4
Saloon-keepers and street preachers, gypsies and steel-walking Mohawks, a bearded lady and a 93-year-old “seafoodetarian” who believes his specialized diet will keep him alive for another two decades. These are among the people that Joseph Mitchell immortalized in his reportage for The New Yorker and in four books—McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, Old Mr. Flood, The Bottom of the Harbor, and Joe Gould's Secret—that are still renowned for their precise, respectful observation, their graveyard humor, and their offhand perfection of style.These masterpieces (along... more Saloon-keepers and street preachers, gypsies and steel-walking Mohawks, a bearded lady and a 93-year-old “seafoodetarian” who believes his specialized diet will keep him alive for another two decades. These are among the people that Joseph Mitchell immortalized in his reportage for The New Yorker and in four books—McSorley's Wonderful Saloon, Old Mr. Flood, The Bottom of the Harbor, and Joe Gould's Secret—that are still renowned for their precise, respectful observation, their graveyard humor, and their offhand perfection of style.These masterpieces (along with several previously uncollected stories) are available in one volume, which presents an indelible collective portrait of an unsuspected New York and its odder citizens—as depicted by one of the great writers of this or any other time. less Mike DashFor 30 to 40 years he wrote about all the people on the margins of society in New York. But he did this in such a humane way, it’s just wonderful. (Source)
William FiennesThey’re incredibly vivid and moving stories, and often they feel closer to short stories than newspaper or magazine articles. (Source)
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5
Shares insights from confidence men and swindlers on the schemes they used to cheat their victims. more Shares insights from confidence men and swindlers on the schemes they used to cheat their victims. less 
Ryan HolidayIt probably seems weird to recommend books on pickup artists, pick pockets and con men (nor am I necessarily equating the three groups) but it fits. Though I would accept that most of what these guys do is tactical rather than strategic–they are still quite excellent at identifying opportunities and weaving such flawless, enveloping plans that the marks often have no idea that anything is... (Source)
Mike DashDavid Maurer is another remarkable character. He’s dead now, but he was a professor of linguistics at the University of Louisville. His basic academic interest was criminal slang. He was very interested in the way criminals used slang to disguise their intentions from people. The people who most need that ability are conmen because they deal face-to-face, for long periods of time, with the people... (Source)
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