History Book Festival

HBF showcases new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction from multiple subjects, eras, and voices. Over 90 percent of the festival’s author presentations are free and open to all, drawing readers from 30 states and abroad to this one-of-a-kind event at the Delaware beaches. HBF authors also visit Delaware classrooms, from preschool to college, and the festival gives their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations, providing an engaging way to inspire readers of all ages to enjoy learning about history.  

The festival opens on Friday, Sept. 25, with a ticketed keynote event exploring the Iranian Revolution, featuring authors Ben Macintyre and Scott Anderson. Ben Macintyre has written for The Times(UK) for over three decades. His book, “Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy,” reveals how American and British intelligence cracked the Kremlin’s secret plot to overthrow the fledgling Islamist regime in the wake of the 1979 religious revolution. Scott Anderson is a veteran war correspondent whose book, “King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution,” tells the story of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and how his ouster blindsided the United States. The event is presented by Griswold Homecare for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church. 

The ticketed closing event on Sunday, Sept. 27, features co-authors Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict, who will discuss their book, “A Pair of Aces: A Novel.” This work explores the unlikely alliance of two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York. Eunice Carter, assistant district attorney for the City of New York and Manhattan's first Black female prosecutor, and Polly Adler, high-class brothel madam, risk their lives to end the reign of Luciano. Murray and Benedict are the New York Times bestselling co-authors of “The Personal Librarian” and “The First Ladies.” Victoria Christopher Murray has written 30 novels, including “Harlem Rhapsody,” a 2025 NPR Best Book of the Year. Among Marie Benedict’s bestselling books selected for national book clubs are “The Only Woman in the Room,” “The Other Einstein,” and “Carnegie’s Maid.”  The event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. 

On Saturday, Sept. 26, attendees can access their choice of 20 author presentations in various venues in Lewes, all free of charge. Books will be available for purchase at each venue, and they may also be bought in advance at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, the festival’s official bookseller. Authors will be available to personalize books after their presentations and, at the end of the day, presenters and audiences can come together to celebrate and discuss their festival experience at a “spirited discussion” presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence.