Nonfiction books have the power to enlighten, educate, and inspire us.
They provide valuable insights into our world, offering a deeper understanding of history, politics, and society.
Renowned conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro has shared his list of the great nonfiction books recommendations.
From memoirs to academic treatises, these books are a treasure trove of knowledge, offering readers a unique perspective on the complex issues that shape our world.
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In "Hillbilly Elegy," J.D. Vance offers a deeply personal and poignant memoir of his own life growing up in the working-class Rust Belt of America. Vance's narrative transcends his own story to become a compelling exploration of the challenges faced by millions of working-class Americans. He delves into the impact of cultural and societal factors on the lives of individuals and families, shedding light on the struggles of the "hillbilly" culture and the quest for upward mobility.
“What separates the successful from the unsuccessful are the expectations that they had for their own lives. Yet the message of the right is increasingly: It’s not your fault that you’re a loser; it’s the government’s fault.”― J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" is an enduring masterpiece of true crime literature. This nonfiction novel meticulously reconstructs the horrifying murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, offering an in-depth examination of the crime's perpetrators, the investigation, and the ensuing trial. Capote's writing blurs the line between journalism and storytelling, creating a chilling and unforgettable account of the brutality and psychology behind the crime.
“It is no shame to have a dirty face- the shame comes when you keep it dirty.”― Truman Capote, In Cold Blood
Buy "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote On Amazon
In "Think Again," Adam Grant explores the power of rethinking our assumptions and embracing the uncertainty of the modern world. Grant encourages readers to let go of fixed mindsets and embrace the concept of "rethinking" as a valuable skill. Drawing on psychological research and real-world examples, he illustrates how this approach can lead to personal and professional growth, enhanced decision-making, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of our rapidly changing world.
“We listen to views that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard.”― Adam M. Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
Michael J. Knowles takes a humorous and unconventional approach to political discourse in "Reasons to Vote for Democrats." The book comprises a clever and satirical take on the topic of political voting, with its pages humorously left blank. This clever commentary playfully highlights the subjective nature of political arguments and engages readers in a unique way, regardless of their political affiliations.
“ .”― Michael J. Knowles, Think Again:Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide
George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" is a personal account of his experiences as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War. Orwell's candid and deeply reflective narrative provides a front-row seat to the complex political and ideological struggles of the time. Through his vivid descriptions and introspective analysis, he offers readers a compelling glimpse into the realities of war and the role of ideology in shaping the course of history.
“One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.”― George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia
Buy "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell On Amazon
"The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe is a captivating exploration of the early days of the U.S. space program, with a focus on the lives and experiences of the "Mercury Seven" astronauts. Wolfe delves into the extraordinary courage and determination of these individuals, offering a fascinating narrative that goes beyond the technical aspects of space exploration. The book celebrates the indomitable human spirit and the pursuit of greatness in the face of daunting challenges.
“Night landings were a routine part of carrier operations—and perhaps the best of all examples of how a man’s accumulated good works did him no good whatsoever at each new step up the great pyramid, of how each new step was an absolute test, and of how each bright new day’s absolutes—chosen or damned—were built into the routine.”― Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff
Buy "The Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe On Amazon
Thomas Sowell's "Basic Economics" is an accessible and comprehensive guide to economic principles. With clarity and insight, Sowell explains fundamental economic concepts, shedding light on topics such as supply and demand, prices, and the role of government in the economy. This book serves as an essential resource for readers of all backgrounds, providing a solid foundation for understanding economic theory and its real-world applications.
“Unfortunately, the real minimum wage is always zero, regardless of the laws, and that is the wage that many workers receive in the wake of the creation or escalation of a government-mandated minimum wage, because they lose their jobs or fail to find jobs when they enter the labor force. Making it illegal to pay less than a given amount does not make a worker’s productivity worth that amount—and, if it is not, that worker is unlikely to be employed.”― Thomas Sowell, Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy
Buy "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell On Amazon
"Black Rednecks & White Liberals" by Thomas Sowell delves into the cultural and historical roots of various societal issues. Sowell challenges conventional wisdom by exploring the impact of historical migrations and cultural factors on contemporary challenges facing society. The book encourages readers to question prevailing assumptions and consider alternative perspectives on issues related to race, culture, and society.
“When people are presented with the alternatives of hating themselves for their failure or hating others for their success, they seldom choose to hate themselves.”― Thomas Sowell, Black Rednecks & White Liberals
Buy "Black Rednecks & White Liberals" by Thomas Sowell On Amazon
"Ball Four" by Jim Bouton takes readers behind the scenes of professional baseball, offering an intimate and often humorous look at the lives of baseball players. Bouton's candid and engaging account provides unique insights into the challenges, camaraderie, and eccentricities of the sport. The book offers a delightful blend of baseball anecdotes, personal experiences, and social commentary.
“It never hurts to apologize, especially if you don't mean it.”― Jim Bouton, Ball Four: Twentieth Anniversary Edition
Buy "Ball Four: The Final Pitch" by Jim Bouton On Amazon
Heather Mac Donald's "The War on Cops" addresses pressing issues related to law enforcement and public safety. Drawing on extensive research and analysis, Mac Donald explores the impact of anti-police rhetoric and policies on the safety of communities and law enforcement officers. Her thought-provoking argument challenges prevailing narratives and raises critical questions about the relationship between policing and crime.
“Using victims’ crime reports, cops focused on violent hot spots; since black Americans are disproportionately the victims of crime, just as blacks are disproportionately its perpetrators, effective policing was heaviest in minority neighborhoods. The cops were there because they do believe that black lives matter.”― Heather Mac Donald, The War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe
Buy "The War on Cops: How the New Attack on Law and Order Makes Everyone Less Safe" by Heather Mac Donald On Amazon
"The Revenge of Geography" by Robert D. Kaplan takes readers on a global journey, exploring the role of geography in shaping international conflicts and alliances. Kaplan argues that geographical factors significantly influence the course of history and the behavior of nations. This book offers valuable insights into geopolitics, from the impact of terrain on warfare to the complexities of regional power dynamics.
“As Napoleon said, to know a nation's geography is to know its foreign policy”― Robert D. Kaplan, The Revenge Of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate
Buy "The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate" by Robert D. Kaplan On Amazon
Thomas Sowell's "The Quest for Cosmic Justice" challenges the concept of justice in society, particularly the idea of achieving perfect equality. Sowell argues that the pursuit of cosmic justice often leads to unintended consequences and societal upheaval. Through historical and contemporary examples, he encourages readers to consider the practicality and consequences of striving for utopian ideals in the name of justice.
“A society that puts equality—in the sense of equality of outcome—ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom. The use of force to achieve equality will destroy freedom, and the force, introduced for good purposes, will end up in the hands of people who use it to promote their own interests.”― Thomas Sowell, The Quest for Cosmic Justice
Buy "The Quest for Cosmic Justice" by Thomas Sowell On Amazon
Jonah Goldberg's "Suicide of the West" explores the resurgence of tribalism, populism, nationalism, and identity politics in American society. Goldberg delves into the challenges these movements pose to democratic values and individual liberty. Through a thought-provoking analysis, he raises questions about the future of American democracy and the importance of defending its foundational principles.
“Capitalism is unnatural. Democracy is unnatural. Human rights are unnatural. The world we live in today is unnatural, and we stumble into it more or less by accident. The natural state of mankind is grinding poverty punctuated by horrific violence terminating with an early death. It was like this for a very very long time.”― Jonah Goldberg, Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy
In "The Wisdom of Crowds," James Surowiecki explores the phenomenon of collective decision-making and the surprising accuracy of group judgments. Drawing on a wide range of real-world examples, Surowiecki challenges the idea that decisions made by experts are always superior to those made by diverse groups of people. He offers valuable insights into the power of diversity and decentralized decision-making in a variety of contexts, from stock markets to online communities.
“Diversity and independence are important because the best collective decisions are the product of disagreement and contest, not consensus or compromise.”― James Surowiecki, The Wisdom of Crowds
Buy "The Wisdom of Crowds" by James Surowiecki On Amazon
Michael Shermer's "The Moral Arc" explores the intersection of science and morality. Shermer argues that a scientific understanding of the world can lead to moral progress, helping us become better people and create a more ethical society. Drawing on history, psychology, and ethics, the book demonstrates how science can guide our moral evolution, promote tolerance, and address pressing ethical challenges.
“It is no longer acceptable to simply assert your moral beliefs; you have to provide reasons for them, and those reasons had better be grounded in rational arguments and empirical evidence or else they will likely be ignored or rejected.”― Michael Shermer, The Moral Arc: How Science Makes Us Better People
George Gilder's "The Scandal of Money" delves into the intricate world of finance, economics, and monetary policy. The book provides a critical analysis of the financial industry and its influence on the broader economy. Gilder argues that the financial sector often prioritizes short-term gains over long-term economic growth, shedding light on the inherent challenges of the modern financial system.
“If the government controls, guarantees, channels, or directs investment, it is not capitalism. Pivotal to the investment process is interest rates. For entrepreneurs to control capital, interest rates must reflect its real cost rather than merely the cost of printing money. Otherwise the money printers will dominate investment.”― George Gilder, The Scandal of Money: Why Wall Street Recovers but the Economy Never Does
Buy "The Scandal of Money: Why Wall Street Recovers but the Economy Never Does" by George Gilder On Amazon
In "Knowledge and Power," George Gilder explores the transformative role of information in capitalism and its impact on our rapidly changing world. Gilder presents a fresh perspective on the relationship between knowledge, economic progress, and individual empowerment. He argues that information theory is revolutionizing our understanding of capitalism, innovation, and human potential.
“The freer an economy is, the more this human diversity of knowledge will be manifested. By contrast, political power originates in top-down processes-governments, monopolies, regulators, and elite institutions-all attempting to quell human diversity and impose order. Thus power always seeks centralization.”― George Gilder, Knowledge and Power: The Information Theory of Capitalism and How it is Revolutionizing our World
Buy "Knowledge and Power: The Information Theory of Capitalism and How it is Revolutionizing our World" by George Gilder On Amazon
Marian L. Tupy and Gale L. Pooley's "Superabundance" challenges prevailing assumptions about population growth and resource scarcity. The authors argue that innovation, human ingenuity, and the power of free markets can lead to a world of abundance rather than scarcity. They provide a compelling argument that the expansion of human knowledge and creativity can overcome limitations and foster a more prosperous and bountiful planet.
“We can compensate for lowering birth rates by, for example, increasing the amount of freedom in the world. Right now, huge chunks of humanity are not really participating fully in the information and knowledge exchange, partly because they don’t have free speech of their own.”― Marian L. Tupy
Jonathan Gottschall's "The Professor in the Cage" takes readers on a captivating exploration of the world of mixed martial arts. This book delves into the psychology, sociology, and biology of why men fight and why society is fascinated by this brutal sport. Gottschall provides an in-depth analysis of the motivations behind combat sports and the enduring appeal of watching fights.
“At my local big-box bookstore, the gun nut, muscle head, and martial arts magazines are all shelved together in what I call the “masculine anxiety” section.”― Jonathan Gottschall, The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch
Buy "The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch" by Jonathan Gottschall On Amazon
George Gilder's "Wealth and Poverty" is an influential work that discusses economic principles and the factors contributing to wealth and prosperity. Gilder explores the role of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the dynamics of the free market in creating economic growth. He emphasizes the importance of individual creativity and hard work as the driving forces behind economic success.
“The risk-bearing role of the rich cannot be performed so well by anyone else. The benefits of capitalism still depend on capitalists. The other groups on the pyramid of wealth should occasionally turn from the spectacles of consumption long enough to see the adventure on the frontiers of the economy above them - an adventure not without its note of nobility...”― George Gilder, Wealth and Poverty
"String Theory" is a collection of essays by the late and celebrated writer David Foster Wallace, focusing on the sport of tennis. While known for his complex and introspective fiction, Wallace's exploration of tennis reveals a different side of his talent. These essays offer unique perspectives on the sport, its culture, and its players. Wallace's keen observations and distinctive prose style make this book a must-read for both tennis enthusiasts and fans of his work.
“There is about world-class athletes carving out exemptions from physical laws a transcendent beauty that makes manifest God in man.”― David Foster Wallace, String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis
In "Patriots," A. J. Langgut presents a vivid and comprehensive account of the men who played pivotal roles in initiating the American Revolution. This historical narrative delves into the lives, motivations, and actions of these founding fathers, offering a deeper understanding of the events that led to the birth of the United States. Langgut's meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring the revolutionary era to life, making it an essential read for history buffs.
“You will reply politely, ‘You are all absolute idiots. Philadelphia is an uninteresting little town, open on all sides; its port was already blockaded; it was made famous, God knows why, because Congress resided there; that’s what this famous city really is; and, by the way, we’ll undoubtedly take it back sooner or later.’ ” When”― A.J. Langguth, Patriots
Mark Kram's "Ghosts of Manila" provides an in-depth exploration of one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of sports—Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier. Kram, an award-winning sports writer, takes readers behind the scenes of the brutal and emotionally charged battles between these two legendary boxers. The book offers a compelling and intimate look at the personal and cultural dynamics that fueled this intense feud, making it a captivating read for sports enthusiasts and those interested in the human drama behind the headlines.
“We went to Manila as champions, Joe and me, and we came back as old men.”― Mark Kram, Ghosts of Manila: The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Buy "Ghosts of Manila: The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier" by Mark Kram On Amazon
"Modern Times" by Paul Johnson is a revised edition of the classic historical work that explores the transformative events of the 20th century. Johnson provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the political, social, and cultural changes that shaped the world during this tumultuous period. From the aftermath of World War I to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the global forces at play. Johnson's narrative is engaging and informative, making it an indispensable resource for those seeking a deeper knowledge of modern history.
“A Stalin functionary admitted, "Innocent people were arrested: naturally - otherwise no one would be frightened. If people, he said, were arrested only for specific misdemeanours, all the others would feel safe and so become ripe for treason.”― Paul Johnson, Modern Times : A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000
Buy "Modern Times Revised Edition: The World from the Twenties to the Nineties" by Paul Johnson On Amazon
In "Panic Attack," author Robby Soave delves into the dynamics of modern American politics and the rise of young radicals during the era of the Trump presidency. Soave offers a critical and insightful analysis of the ideological divisions and cultural shifts that have characterized this period. The book provides a nuanced look at the motivations, actions, and impact of young activists from both sides of the political spectrum. It's a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the political landscape of the 21st century.
“Framing a specific issue in identitarian terms makes it less appealing to people who do not identify with the category of marginalization in question,”― Robby Soave, Panic Attack: Young Radicals in the Age of Trump
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Source: Books praised or recommended by Ben Shapiro on Twitter/X
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