History's Best Selling Books of 1959

Hats off to 1959! Few books commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Advise and Consent. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Hawaii and Lady Chatterley's Lover, consumers eagerly embraced the mid-century craze and suburban optimism. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Allen Drury and James A. Michener set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that became sensational mainstays in post-war American homes. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Advise and Consent

   Released in 1959 by Allen Drury, Doubleday

   When Allen Drury's 'Advise and Consent' hit bookshelves in August 1959, it immediately ignited a firestorm of discussion and captivated the American public. This monumental political novel was not just a book; it was a cultural phenomenon, offering an unprecedented, fly-on-the-wall perspective into the Machiavellian world of Washington D.C. Its launch coincided with heightened Cold War anxieties and a burgeoning interest in the inner workings of government, making its intricate portrayal of Senate politics feel incredibly timely and relevant. Readers flocked to it, eager to uncover the supposed 'secrets' of power, compromise, and moral ambiguity that Drury, a former Senate correspondent, so vividly brought to life. It quickly ascended bestseller lists, cementing its place as an essential read of its era.

2. Hawaii

   Released in 1959 by James A. Michener, Random House

   James A. Michener's 'Hawaii' exploded onto the literary scene in 1959, immediately captivating readers with its epic scope and vivid portrayal of the islands. Published in the very year Hawaii achieved statehood, the novel tapped into a national fascination with the newly admitted 50th state, becoming an instant cultural phenomenon. Its massive success underscored Michener's prowess as a master storyteller capable of transforming vast historical narratives into compelling human dramas, establishing it as one of the year's undisputed literary blockbusters and a defining work in the historical fiction genre.

3. Lady Chatterley's Lover

   Released in 1959 by D. H. Lawrence, Grove Press

   D. H. Lawrence's 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' exploded onto the American literary scene in 1959, not just as a novel, but as a cultural bombshell. While originally published privately in 1928, the uncensored 1959 edition by Grove Press ignited an immediate firestorm of controversy and sales. This groundbreaking publication challenged prevailing obscenity laws and prudish societal norms, becoming a flashpoint in the fight for freedom of speech. Its launch was a sensation, captivating readers and media alike, propelling the novel into the national consciousness and cementing its place as a pivotal work in the sexual revolution.

4. THE STATUS SEEKERS

   Released in 1959 by Vance Packard, David McKay

   Published in 1959, Vance Packard's groundbreaking exposé, "The Status Seekers," plunged a nation into an uncomfortable self-reflection, dissecting the intricate, often unacknowledged, class system thriving beneath America's veneer of equality. At a time of unprecedented post-war prosperity and burgeoning consumerism, Packard dared to challenge the myth of a classless society, revealing the subtle yet pervasive ways in which Americans consciously and unconsciously jockeyed for social standing. It was a mirror held up to a society obsessed with upward mobility, making visible the invisible lines that divided people based on education, occupation, income, and lifestyle choices, sparking a national conversation that reverberated for decades.