What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWhat Was . . . ?
various authors · Book
If you loved What Was . . . ?, start with The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe (The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe, 2026) — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to What Was . . . ? across media.
What hooked you in What Was . . . ? was the way historical milestones become accessible and engaging narratives for curious minds.
Films on the same thread
Hidden Figures
Film · 2016
Explores: Racial segregation, Women in STEM, Gender equality.
If you enjoyed the biographical snapshots in What Was . . . ?, you will appreciate how this film brings the unsung brilliance of NASA's female pioneers to life on screen.
Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe · Film · 2000
Explores: Music Journalism, Band on Tour, Loss of Innocence.
Much like the accessible historical figures in What Was . . . ?, this story captures the spirit of an era through a personal lens that makes the past feel immediate.
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Explores: Injustice, Survival, Loss of Freedom.
While What Was . . . ? offers an introduction to American history, this powerful film provides a deeper, more mature look at the resilience and injustice defining our nation's past.
The Wizard of Oz
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Explores: Good vs Evil, The power of belief, There's no place like home.
If you valued the sense of wonder found in What Was . . . ?, this classic journey mirrors that inquisitive spirit, inviting you to discover a magical world of self-discovery.
Series on the same thread
American Experience
Series · 1988
Explores: American History, 20th Century History, Social Change.
This series serves as the perfect next step for fans of What Was . . . ?, expanding on the compelling stories and significant events that shape our understanding of history.
American Masters
Susan Lacy · Series · 1986
Explores: American Culture, Artistic Achievement, Historical Impact.
Building on the biographical focus of What Was . . . ?, this series provides an in-depth look at the influential figures who have left a lasting mark on American culture.
Baseball
Series · 1994
Explores: History of Baseball, American Culture, Sports History.
Just as What Was . . . ? uses key milestones to teach history, this documentary explores American culture through the lens of a sport that reflects our national experience.
Reading Rainbow
Series · 1983
Explores: Literacy, Imagination, Cultural Exploration.
Fans of the educational narrative style in What Was . . . ? will enjoy how this program connects readers to history and culture through the power of storytelling and discovery.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
Like the bite-sized lessons in What Was . . . ?, this podcast satisfies your curiosity for American history by uncovering obscure anecdotes and fascinating life stories in short intervals.
You're Wrong About
Podcast
Explores: Misconceptions, Public Perception, Historical Analysis.
If you enjoyed re-examining famous figures in What Was . . . ?, this podcast offers a refreshing, critical look at history by correcting misconceptions and analyzing the past with intelligence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What age group is the What Was . . . ? series written for?
The What Was . . . ? series is specifically written for readers between the ages of 8 and 12. The books are designed to be accessible for this age range while providing educational information about key milestones and events in American culture and history.
What topics are covered in the What Was . . . ? books?
Each book in the What Was . . . ? series explores a specific milestone or significant event in American culture and history. The series focuses on providing factual accounts of these subjects to help young readers understand the development of American society over time.
Is What Was . . . ? a single book or a series?
What Was . . . ? is a series featuring various authors. Each volume functions as an individual installment that explores a different historical event or cultural milestone, allowing readers to collect and learn about many different aspects of American history at their own pace.
How long does it take to read a What Was . . . ? book?
Because the What Was . . . ? series is written for readers aged 8 to 12, the books are crafted to be concise and engaging. While reading speed varies by individual, the length is tailored to suit the attention spans and reading levels of children in that specific age group.