There are various accounts of when the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in the US. Some trace it back to early 1600 Spaniards while other to the celebration at Plymouth. Here is a list of non-fiction books that discusses the history of Thanksgiving in America, some amazing real stories related to Thanksgiving, different food traditions associated with Thanksgiving and all about the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
1. The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning from History
Author: Robert Tracy McKinzie
Paperback: 219 pages
Publisher: IVP Academic; 8.3.2013 edition (August 1, 2013)
ISBN: 0830825746, 978-0830825745
Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America’s origins – and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it. McKenzie avoids both idolizing and demonizing the Pilgrims, and calls us to love and learn from our flawed yet fascinating forebears.
2. If You Sailed On The Mayflower (If You…)
Authors: Ann McGovern (Author), Anna DiVito (Author)
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Reprint edition (November 1, 1991)
ISBN: 0590451618, 978-0590451611
What kind of ship was the Mayflower? How did the Pilgrims feel when they saw land? What was the first building in Plymouth? In lively question-and-answer style, this fact-filled book answers all sorts of questions about the Pilgrims’ journey on the Mayflower and their first year in America.
3. The Thanksgiving Visitor Hardcover
Author: Truman Capote
Hardcover: 37 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First Thus edition (September 17, 1996)
ISBN-10: 0679838988, 978-0679838982
Filled with emotions that are universal to both young readers and adults, this poignant story brings to life what we all should cherish and be thankful for–the gifts of friendship and love. Enchanting illustrations by Beth Peck make The Thanksgiving Visitor a perfect companion for the holiday bookshelf.
4. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations
Author: Ree Drummond
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; First Edition, First Printing edition (October 29, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062225227, 978-0062225221
Ree shows you how to ring in your favorite holidays with inspired menus for breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners, parties, deliveries, and feasts, accompanied by fun instructions and hundreds of her signature step-by-step photos. Filled with creative and flavorful ideas for intimate dinners, group gatherings, and family meals, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays includes dozens of mouthwatering dishes (with nineteen recipes for Thanksgiving alone!), helping home cooks create a variety of delights.
5. Recipes for Disaster: A Memoir
Author: Tess Rafferty
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1St Edition edition (October 30, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1250011434, 978-1250011435
Told with heart, humor and honesty; this memoir goes beyond culinary catastrophe and heart warmingly unveils the lengths we go to in order to please our family, friends, and ourselves—and proves that it’s not the food that counts, but the memories. Aptly timed for all the Thanksgiving chefs about to enter the holiday gauntlet; or the guests headed to their dinners—this is the perfect book to read and then savor.
6. Thanksgiving Tales: True Stories of the Holiday in America
Author: Brian D. Jaffe
Paperback: 198 pages
Publisher: Sestin LLC (July 23, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0982729006, 978-0982729007
In Thanksgiving Tales: True Stories of the Holiday in America, 48 writers from across the United States share their individual stories and memories of Thanksgiving and provide insight into the variety of ways the holiday is experienced, celebrated, viewed and cherished by Americans. But, whether held in a country farmhouse, amid the frantic pace of New York City, or in a restaurant, there are a number of common elements. These stories reveal how seemingly simple things- like the passing of a tradition to the next generation, sitting next to Grandpa, favorite foods and recipes, or certain sounds, sights, and smells – can have special meaning and leave warm and indelible memories.
7. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Authors: Robert M. Grippo, Christopher Hoskins
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing; Reprint Edition edition (October 20, 2004)
ISBN: 0738535621, 978-0738535623
The excitement and praise from crowds lining the route that first year led Macy’s to issue an immediate proclamation: the parade would become a tradition. Before the parade’s first decade passed, Macy’s welcomed the huge and spectacular helium character balloons that became its goodwill ambassadors.
* The book descriptions in this post are used from the respective book pages on Amazon.com