{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox album | name = History Books | type = studio | artist = the Gaslight Anthem | cover = The Gaslight Anthem - History Books Album Artwork.webp | alt = | border = yes | released = {{Start date|2023|10|27}} | recorded = December 2022 – May 2023<ref name="BF IG">{{cite web |title=Brian Fallon on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmDPs6SOpLk/ |website=Instagram |access-date=December 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="TGA IG">{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CmFkyq7Omys/ |website=Instagram |access-date=December 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="TGA HB MB">{{cite web |title=Release "History Books" by The Gaslight Anthem |url=https://musicbrainz.org/release/7a0d52a5-6e42-48f0-975e-90e501147f71 |website=MusicBrainz |access-date=14 August 2023}}</ref> | studio = * Tarquin Studios, Bridgeport, Connecticut<ref name="album notes"/> * Windmill Lane, Dublin, Ireland<ref name="TGA HB MB"/> * Studio G, Brooklyn, New York {{ref label|Short Stories EP|c}}<ref name="HBSS EP notes"/> | genre = Heartland rock, indie rock | length = 40:23<ref name="TGA HB MB"/> | label = * Rich Mahogany * Thirty Tigers | producer = Peter Katis | prev_title = Get Hurt | prev_year = 2014 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = History Books | type = studio | single1 = Positive Charge | single1date = April 28, 2023 | single2 = History Books | single2date = July 21, 2023 | single3 = Little Fires | single3date = September 5, 2023 | single4 = Autumn | single4date = October 3, 2023 | single5 = Spider Bites | single5date = October 26, 2023 }} }}
'''''History Books''''' is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Gaslight Anthem, released on October 27, 2023, through Rich Mahogany Records and Thirty Tigers.<ref name="TGA Metacritic"/><ref name="HB SG">{{cite web |last1=Brodsky |first1=Rachel |title=The Gaslight Anthem Share New Song "History Books" Featuring Bruce Springsteen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2230816/the-gaslight-anthem-history-books-feat-bruce-springsteen/music/ |website=Stereogum |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> Produced by Peter Katis, it is the band's first studio album in nine years, following their reunion in March 2022 and subsequent world tour throughout the year.<ref name="BF IG" /><ref name="TGA IG" />
==Background and production== Following the conclusion of the touring cycle for their previous album, ''Get Hurt'', at Reading Festival on August 30, 2015,<ref name="billboard.com">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/the-gaslight-anthem-announces-taking-a-break-6648520/|title=Gaslight Anthem 'Taking a Break' After Tour|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 11, 2017}}</ref> the Gaslight Anthem entered an indefinite hiatus, aside from a short tour in 2018 celebrating the 10th anniversary of their 2008 album ''The '59 Sound'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thegaslightanthem/posts/10155445133843305|title=The Gaslight Anthem|via=Facebook|language=en|access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> with the band members pursuing new projects and solo careers.
Over time, the band's lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Brian Fallon began to soften on the idea of reviving the band, with the initial decision to do so tracing back to shortly after recording concluded for his 2020 solo album ''Local Honey''. The COVID-19 pandemic further influenced his decision to revive the band: "I think time, and getting locked down, and not being able to go out ... and then you see different things happen, like Foo Fighters losing Taylor Hawkins, you consider, 'All of this is temporary, and you've got to enjoy it while you can.'"<ref name="TGA HB Kerrang">{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Emily |title=The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon: "We didn't want to be a nostalgia band. If there's something new, then I'm excited" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/brian-fallon-the-gaslight-anthem-interview-reunion-tour-new-music-wembley |website=Kerrang! |date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
This culminated in a 2021 meeting with Bruce Springsteen in which Fallon openly discussed his desire to reunite the band, but also his trepidation about doing so. Springsteen encouraged him, suggesting that he should write a duet for the two of them to sing on a prospective project with the band.<ref name="HB SG" /> Fallon challenged himself to write four songs, reasoning that he would contact his bandmates if they were of "equal quality to something that the Gaslight Anthem has done". After presenting the songs and discussing the possibility of a reunion with his bandmates, he was met with "the energy I knew we needed to make it happen".<ref name="NJ Monthly">{{cite web |last1=Curry |first1=Jack |title=The Gaslight Anthem's Reunion Comes With Great Expectations |url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/arts-entertainment/the-gaslight-anthem-reunion-comes-with-great-expectations-brian-fallon/ |website=New Jersey Monthly |date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
On March 25, 2022, after an almost seven-year-long hiatus, the Gaslight Anthem confirmed their reunion. In a statement shared across the band's social media channels, Fallon announced that the band would tour that year and also confirmed that the band was "returning to full time status" and working on a new studio album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbh_RGeu_wS/|title=The Gaslight Anthem|website=Instagram.com|access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbh_RGeu_wS/|title=The Gaslight Anthem on Instagram|date=March 25, 2022|via=Instagram|access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref> Following the tour's conclusion, the band entered the studio with Peter Katis to record their as-yet-untitled sixth studio album.<ref name="BF IG" /><ref name="TGA IG" /> The band continued recording throughout January 2023, with Fallon indicating the same month that mixing would be commencing from February.<ref name="TGA SJ53">{{cite web |title=The Sailor Jerry Podcast Ep. 53 — Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y53KT3lre18 |via=YouTube |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> Springsteen's vocal feature on the title track was recorded in Dublin while on tour in May.<ref name="TGA HB MB"/>
==Themes and composition== Fallon's experiences with therapy and medication influenced the album's direction and themes. He highlighted "Positive Charge", the first song he wrote for the record, as "a message of joy to ourselves and to our audience" about "looking at the things you've come through and feeling like you want to go ahead with an open heart toward the future, believing that the best years are not behind any of us and the good we have is worth something."<ref name="RS TGA PC">{{cite magazine |last1=Hudak |first1=Joseph |title=Gaslight Anthem Kick Out the Optimistic Jams in New Song 'Positive Charge' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/gaslight-anthem-new-song-positive-charge-1234725304/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
He referred to the album overall as the "next phase of the band" and stated that it was about "recognizing what you have".<ref name="Kerrang TGA HB">{{cite magazine |last1=Carter |first1=Emily |title=Brian Fallon: "I wanted to make sure I could write songs that were worthy to be the next Gaslight Anthem record" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-gaslight-anthem-interview-brian-fallon-bruce-springsteen-the-future-reunion-new-album-history-books |magazine=Kerrang! |date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> Fallon further outlined the thematic through-line of the album, calling the title track "the other side of the coin" from "Positive Charge". "There were all these people in my life where I had been such a sucker for not putting up boundaries," Fallon elaborated. "I had to be pretty honest about how I felt about both sides, I feel like you can't write a positive song like Positive Charge unless you've really been through it ... I didn't just want it to be positive throughout the whole record, because that's not how you feel."<ref name="Kerrang TGA HB"/>
Of the album's Bruce Springsteen feature, Fallon said, "There's a definitely a little wink in there," alluding to the longstanding comparisons made between the band's sound and Springsteen's. "It's like 'Now write this off,' we've got the approval of the guy! What are you going to say? You can't say anything!"<ref name="HB SG" />
==Release and promotion== Following the reunion announcement, on March 28 the band announced a world tour, with dates across Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<ref name="TGA Reunion Spin">{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan |title=The Gaslight Anthem Reveal 2022 Reunion Tour Dates |url=https://www.spin.com/2022/03/the-gaslight-anthem-2022-tour-dates/ |website=Spin |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> The tour began at the Columbiahalle in Berlin, Germany, on August 9, 2022, and concluded on October 8, 2022, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lugen |first1=Mikala |title=The Gaslight Anthem Announce First Headlining World Tour in Four Years |url=https://volumeutah.com/news/the-gaslight-anthem-tour-2022/ |website=Volume Utah |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022}}</ref> with another round of tour dates across North America throughout May 2023 announced in February 2023.<ref name="TGA NA 2023">{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=The Gaslight Anthem Announce 2023 Tour Dates |url=https://therockrevival.com/rock-news/the-gaslight-anthem-announce-2023-tour/ |website=The Rock Revival |date=February 14, 2023 |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>
On April 28, 2023, the band released "Positive Charge", their first new music in nine years, accompanied by the addition of more tour dates to their North American tour between September and October 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to the next chapter! We're thrilled to present – Positive Charge |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CrkM1cvuDMY/?img_index=2 |website=Instagram |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shutler |first1=Ali |title=The Gaslight Anthem return with first new song in nine years, announce US tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-gaslight-anthem-return-with-first-new-song-in-nine-years-announce-us-tour-buy-tickets-3437269 |website=NME |date=April 29, 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> The song received its live debut three days later on May 1, 2023, at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas and was played at every subsequent show on the tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem Concert Setlist at House of Blues, Houston, TX, USA |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-gaslight-anthem/2023/house-of-blues-houston-tx-63b86247.html |website=setlist.fm |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxf7u1cLteZ/ |website=Instagram |access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> On July 21, 2023, the band announced that their new album ''History Books'' would be released on October 27, 2023, and released a second single from the record, the title track, featuring a guest vocal appearance from Bruce Springsteen.<ref name="HB SG"/> The album's third single, "Little Fires", followed on September 5, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem Share New Song "Little Fires" |url=https://therockrevival.com/rock-news/the-gaslight-anthem-release-new-song-little-fires/ |website=The Rock Revival |date=September 5, 2023 |access-date=5 September 2023}}</ref>
The band premiered "Michigan, 1975" at a show in Michigan on September 16, playing the studio version over the PA system in lieu of a traditional encore break, with Fallon stating that fans were free to share any recordings of it after the fact.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michigan, 1975 9/16/23 Grand Rapids, MI (song premiere)" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBmpz_hmeQ0 |via=YouTube|date=18 September 2023|access-date=3 October 2023}}</ref> On September 19, the band announced two homecoming shows celebrating the release of ''History Books'' at the White Eagle Hall in New Jersey on October 27 and 28.<ref>{{cite web |title=We're coming back to New Jersey for two nights to celebrate the release of "History Books". |url=https://www.facebook.com/thegaslightanthem/posts/pfbid02yZ2qnUr5Y82n7N9VxvVE4McG123TcPLrGD7KyeVNGY273suk2fTKh91TVViGUrVel |via=Facebook |access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> An additional two dates were added on September 20,<ref>{{cite web |title=Instead of two shows...what if we did 4? |url=https://www.facebook.com/thegaslightanthem/posts/pfbid02zxPqQhmH1k57fGotBLsocdbH6iXVbievQ4MjyXCx1QGnHKeMkHFEjUbeeC6rK7nUl |website=Facebook |access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> scheduled for 29 and 30, with all four shows selling out by September 22. The record's fourth single, "Autumn" was released on October 3, accompanied by the announcement of EU/UK tour dates throughout 2024, including a headline slot at 2000 Trees Festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem Announce 2024 UK/European Tour, Plus 2000Trees Headline Set |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-gaslight-anthem-announce-2024-uk-european-tour-plus-2000trees-headline-set/ |via=YouTube|date=3 October 2023 |access-date=3 October 2023}}</ref> On March 18, 2024, the band announced a new round of tour dates across the US, taking place between July and September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marano |first1=Francesco |title=The Gaslight Anthem Extend 2024 Tour Dates: Ticket Presale Code & On-Sale Info |url=https://zumic.com/the-gaslight-anthem-extend-2024-tour-dates-ticket-presale-code-and-on-sale-info |website=Zumic |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>
''History Books'' was released on October 27, 2023, accompanied by the music video for the record's opening track and the album's fifth single, "Spider Bites."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Sam |title=The Gaslight Anthem Are Celebrating Their Album Release with a New Video for 'Spider Bites' |url=https://readdork.com/news/the-gaslight-anthem-video-spider-bites/ |website=Dork |date=October 27, 2023 |access-date=30 October 2023}}</ref> Following an Instagram post teasing "some extra stuff" on February 10, 2024,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Emily |title=The Gaslight Anthem have already recorded more new music |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-gaslight-anthem-have-already-recorded-more-new-music |website=Kerrang |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> the band released a four track companion EP titled ''History Books - Short Stories'' on March 22, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Daisy |title=THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM ARE RELEASING NEW EP 'HISTORY BOOKS - SHORT STORIES' THIS WEEK |url=https://diymag.com/news/the-gaslight-anthem-ep-history-books-short-stories |website=DIY |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> Produced by Butch Walker, the EP features acoustic versions of both the title track and lead single "Positive Charge", a re-recorded version of "Blue Jeans & White T-shirts" (originally from their 2008 EP ''Señor and the Queen'') featuring Emily Wolfe, and a cover of Billie Eilish's 2016 track "Ocean Eyes" featuring Karina Rykman, which received its live debut at the Manchester Apollo on the same day as its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem Concert Setlist at O2 Apollo Manchester, March 22 2024 |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-gaslight-anthem/2024/o2-apollo-manchester-manchester-england-53aa0fe1.html |website=setlist.fm |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>
On July 12, 2024, the band released an "Expanded Edition" of ''History Books'', featuring a new mix of the main tracklist by Chris Dugan, as well as the four tracks included on the Short Stories EP, and a new version of "Little Fires" featuring guest vocals from Alicia Bognanno of Bully.
The band gave their reasoning for the new mix on social media, stating that while they were initially enthused about "how incredible [the original mix] sounded on the vinyl test presses", they felt that the mix on digital and streaming releases "didn't quite hit the mark." The Expanded Edition was made available on streaming, with a free download for those who had purchased MP3 and CD copies of ''History Books.''<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gaslight Anthem on Instagram |url= https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9TwZOCMi8d/?igsh=NmpkMzlwbmJrMjZn |website=Instagram |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 76/100<ref name="TGA Metacritic"/> | rev1 = ''Clash'' | rev1score = 8/10<ref name="TGA Clash"/> | rev2 = ''Classic Rock'' | rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaumont |first1=Mark |title="By the end of the album, Fallon is still fundamentally tortured": comeback album History Books finds The Gaslight Anthem reflective but utterly revived |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/the-gaslight-anthem-history-books-album-review |website=Classic Rock |date=October 27, 2023 |access-date=29 October 2023}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Distorted Sound'' | rev3score = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walton |first1=Ed |title=Album Review: History Books – ''The Gaslight Anthem'' |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-history-books-the-gaslight-anthem/ |website=Distorted Sound |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> | rev4 = ''DIY'' | rev4score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jamieson |first1=Sarah |title=The Gaslight Anthem - History Books review |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/gaslight-anthem-history-books |website=DIY |access-date=16 November 2023}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Glide Magazine'' | rev5score = 80/100<ref name="TGA Metacritic"/> | rev6 = ''Mojo'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="TGA Metacritic"/> | rev7 = ''Paste'' | rev7score = 7.5/10<ref name="TGA Paste"/> | rev8 = ''PopMatters'' | rev8score = 7/10<ref name="TGA PopMatters"/> | rev9 = ''Sputnikmusic'' | rev9score = 3.8/5<ref name="TGA Sputnik"/> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=Andrew |title=The Gaslight Anthem – History Books |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/the-gaslight-anthem-history-books-144088/ |website=Uncut |date=October 27, 2023 |access-date=29 October 2023}}</ref> | rev11 = ''Under the Radar'' | rev11score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saalman |first1=Austin |title=The Gaslight Anthem - History Books (Thirty Tigers) |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/history_books_the_gaslight_anthem |website=Under the Radar |access-date=29 October 2023}}</ref> | rev12 = ''XS Noize'' | rev12score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="xsnoize.com">{{cite web |last1=Yarbrough |first1=Jesse |title=ALBUM REVIEW: History Books – The Gaslight Anthem |url=https://www.xsnoize.com/album-review-the-gaslight-anthem-history-books/ |website=XS Noize |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> }} Upon release, ''History Books'' received generally positive reviews from critics, with Metacritic assigning the album an aggregated score of 76 out of 100 based on 11 critic reviews, of which 10 were positive.<ref name="TGA Metacritic">{{cite web |title=History Books by The Gaslight Anthem Reviews and Tracks |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/history-books/the-gaslight-anthem |website=Metacritic |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref>
Praise for the album was largely directed towards its thematic and emotive qualities, the performances of the band members, and the perceived maturation of the band's sound and Fallon's lyricism. Craig Howieson of ''Clash'' scored the record 8 out of 10, highlighting "a renewed nuance" in Fallon's songwriting. He also praised the album's "big guitars, anthemic singalongs and bruised and bloodied ballads", and the band's ability to "capture a feeling that's almost impossible to describe."<ref name="TGA Clash">{{cite web |last1=Howieson |first1=Craig |title=The Gaslight Anthem – History Books |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-gaslight-anthem-history-books/ |website=Clash |date=October 27, 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> Ryan Dillon of ''Glide Magazine'' concurred, describing the album as a "layered outing ... that is as familiar as it is refreshing."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dillon |first1=Ryan |title=Gaslight Anthem's ''History Books'' Is As Refreshing As It Is Familiar (Album Review) |url=https://glidemagazine.com/297250/gaslight-anthems-history-books-is-as-refreshing-as-it-is-familiar-album-review/ |website=Glide Magazine |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> Ed Walton of ''Distorted Sound'' was similarly enthusiastic, awarding the album a 9 out of 10 and concluding that the album was "a welcome return, full of heart, soul, emotion and maturity,"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walton |first1=Ed |title=ALBUM REVIEW: History Books – The Gaslight Anthem |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-history-books-the-gaslight-anthem/ |website=Distorted Sound |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> while Jesse Yarbrough of ''XS Noize'' was even more complimentary in his 5 star review, calling it a "fantastic album" with "a great mix of singalong anthems and quieter, more thoughtful tracks."<ref name="xsnoize.com"/>
''Sputnikmusic'' gave ''History Books'' a 3.8 out 5, criticizing album opener "Spider Bites" as a "clunky song" with "bland verse structure" and a "repetitive chorus",<ref name="TGA Sputnik">{{cite web |title=Review: The Gaslight Anthem - History Books |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/87811/The-Gaslight-Anthem-History-Books/ |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> a criticism echoed by Brian Stout in his 7 out of 10 review for ''PopMatters'', stating that the song could "only muster up one memorable line."<ref name="TGA PopMatters">{{cite web |last1=Stout |first1=Brian |title=The Gaslight Anthem Are in Fine Form on ''History Books'' |url=https://www.popmatters.com/gaslight-anthem-history-books-review |website=PopMatters |date=October 24, 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> In spite of their initial criticisms however, ''Sputnikmusic'' ultimately concluded that "this isn't an album to convert the naysayers, but for the already initiated, prepare yourself to once more sing with your heroes, 33 rounds per minute",<ref name="TGA Sputnik"/> a sentiment once again shared by Stout: "Longtime fans will probably find plenty to like, even love, about History Books. The Gaslight Anthem are in fine form; Fallon's still a charismatic singer, and he still shows flashes of brilliance in his lyrics."<ref name="TGA PopMatters"/>
''Paste''{{'}}s Eric R. Danton was also more reserved in his review, stating it was "less frenetic and more reflective" than their previous works, but ultimately praising it as "the work of a band that has arguably outgrown the fiery intensity of youth without losing the passion that made [the band] so compelling in the first place."<ref name="TGA Paste">{{cite web |last1=Danton |first1=Eric R. |title=The Gaslight Anthem Let Go of the Past on History Books |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-gaslight-anthem/the-gaslight-anthem-history-books-review |website=Paste |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> James McNair of ''Mojo'' compared the record's sound to that of a "gnarlier early R.E.M., The Hold Steady, and, yes, Springsteen", and, while he felt that some of the songs "occasionally [suffered] from over-telegraphed choruses", praised the album's lyricism, highlighting Fallon's "fervour and gift for an apposite metaphor."<ref name="TGA Metacritic"/>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, and Benny Horowitz, except where noted | headline = ''History Books'' track listing | title1 = Spider Bites | length1 = 4:19 | title2 = History Books | note2 = featuring Bruce Springsteen | length2 = 3:53 | title3 = Autumn | length3 = 4:01 | title4 = Positive Charge | length4 = 4:06 | title5 = Michigan, 1975 | length5 = 4:15 | title6 = Little Fires | length6 = 3:25 | title7 = The Weatherman | length7 = 4:27 | title8 = Empires | length8 = 4:23 | title9 = I Live in the Room Above Her | length9 = 4:17 | title10 = A Lifetime of Preludes | length10 = 3:18 | total_length = 40:23 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Expanded Edition | extra_column = Producer(s) | title11 = Little Fires (featuring Alicia Bognanno) | length11 = 3:21 | writer11 = | extra11 = | title12 = Ocean Eyes (featuring Karina Rykman, originally performed by Billie Eilish) | length12 = 3:03 | writer12 = Finneas O'Connell | extra12 = Butch Walker | title13 = Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts (featuring Emily Wolfe) | length13 = 3:37 | extra13 = Butch Walker | title14 = Positive Charge - Acoustic | length14 = 4:14 | extra14 = Butch Walker | title15 = History Books - Acoustic | length15 = 4:05 | extra15 = Butch Walker | total_length = 58:38 }}
{{Track listing | headline = History Books - Short Stories EP | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = Ocean Eyes (featuring Karina Rykman, originally performed by Billie Eilish) | length1 = 3:03 | writer1 = Finneas O'Connell | extra1 = Butch Walker | title2 = Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts (featuring Emily Wolfe) | length2 = 3:37 | extra2 = Butch Walker | title3 = Positive Charge - Acoustic | length3 = 4:14 | extra3 = Butch Walker | title4 = History Books - Acoustic | length4 = 4:05 | extra4 = Butch Walker | total_length = 15:01 }}
==Personnel== Credits adapted from ''History Books'', liner notes<ref name="album notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=History Books|others=The Gaslight Anthem|year=2023|type=album liner notes|publisher=Thirty Tigers / Rich Mahogany Recordings}}</ref> ''History Books - Short Stories'' EP liner notes,<ref name="HBSS EP notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=History Books - Short Stories|others=The Gaslight Anthem|year=2024|type=EP liner notes|publisher=Thirty Tigers / Rich Mahogany Recordings}}</ref> and ''Expanded Edition'' Bandcamp page<ref name="TGA Liner Expanded Edition">{{cite web |title=History Books|url=https://thegaslightanthem.bandcamp.com/album/history-books |website=Bandcamp |access-date=17 July 2024}}</ref> {{col-begin}} {{col-1-of-2}} '''The Gaslight Anthem''' *Brian Fallon – lead vocals, guitar *Alex Rosamilia – guitar *Benny Horowitz – drums, percussion *Alex Levine – bass guitar
'''Additional musicians''' *Ian Perkins - guitar *Bryan Haring - piano *Kori Gardner - vocals *Bruce Springsteen – vocals *Stefan Babcock - vocals *Thomas Bartlett - keyboards *Peter Katis - keyboards
{{col-2-of-2}} '''Production''' *Peter Katis – production, engineering, mixing {{ref label|Standard Edition|a}} *Greg Giorgio – engineering *Kurt Leon – engineering *Rob Lebret – vocal engineering *Joel Hamilton – engineering{{ref label|Short Stories EP|c}} *Greb Calbi – mastering {{ref label|Standard Edition|a}} *Chris Dugan – mixing {{ref label|Standard Edition|b}}{{ref label|Short Stories EP|c}} *Whynot Jansveld - mastering {{ref label|Standard Edition|b}}{{ref label|Short Stories EP|c}} *Butch Walker – production {{ref label|Short Stories EP|c}}
'''Additional personnel''' *Kelsey Hunter Ayres – art direction, photography *Rich Johannes Weinberger – layout, design *Casey McAllister – additional photography
{{col-end}}
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ Chart performance for ''History Books'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2023) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Austria|25|artist=The Gaslight Anthem|album=History Books|rowheader=true|access-date=November 8, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|148|artist=The Gaslight Anthem|album=History Books|rowheader=true|access-date=November 5, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Germany|13|id=521994|artist=The Gaslight Anthem|album=History Books|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|11|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|51|artist=The Gaslight Anthem|album=History Books|rowheader=true|access-date=November 5, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UK2|33|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2023}} |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|8|date=20231103|rowheader=true|access-date=November 4, 2023}} |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2023-11-11/|title=''Billboard'' 200: Week of November 11, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 7, 2023}}</ref> | 152 |}
==Notes== :{{note|Standard Edition|a}} ''Standard edition'' :{{note|Expanded Edition|b}} ''Expanded Edition'' :{{note|Short Stories EP|c}} ''Short Stories EP''
==References== {{reflist}}
{{The Gaslight Anthem}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2023 albums Category:Albums produced by Peter Katis Category:The Gaslight Anthem albums