Recs if you like Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President...

microhistory: the intensive historical investigation of a well defined smaller unit of research (such as an event, community, individual or a settlement); it aspires to "ask large questions in small places"

To find horror it seems we need look no further than our fellow human beings. All these true crime books have themes ranging from the detriment of patriarchal norms in institutions and family dynamics, systemic racism, corporate and personal greed, homophobia, failures in the justice system and/or stigma of mental health and substance abuse treatment.

This list contains 1 book from each of the 50 states (author or topic), Presidents & First Ladies, other American authors & works of note. The good, the bad, the ugly - a lot has happened in 250 years.