# Looking for nonfiction books to read **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 18, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847 "2012-08-18T02:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/21 "2012-08-20T23:35:56Z")
I just read _The Empire of Wealth_ based on a recommendation from someone on the SDMB. It is basically a financial history of the U.S. A lot of information about banking and finance that does not show up in typical history books. It is written from a conservative viewpoint but the author only occasionally leaves the reality-based world. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/22 "2012-08-20T23:49:23Z")
an oldie but a goodie is \*\*The Perfect Storm \*\*by Sebastian Junger. the dullest parts were all those put in to make you feel like you knew the crew, but as for learning it includes all kinds of stuff from what it feels like to drown to how rescue jumpers train. fascinating! and don’t miss\*\* Into Thin Air\*\*, if you have the slightest interest in the insanity that is climbing Mt. Everest. ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/23 "2012-08-20T23:57:34Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > [The Emperor of All Maladies](http://www.amazon.com/The-Emperor-All-Maladies-ebook/dp/B003UYUP58) is remarkable. It’s a history of cancer research, but it’s much more than that. This is a book that I finished in one night’s reading. Stayed up till 4am because the book was so thought-provoking that I didn’t want to let go of it. That’s a pretty big book. You must be a super reader ---
**Author:** ![MobiusStripes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MobiusStripes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MobiusStripes)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/24 "2012-08-20T23:58:19Z")
I found _In the Heart of the Sea_ very compelling and it’s not the kind of thing I normally read. ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/25 "2012-08-21T00:02:13Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > an oldie but a goodie is \*\*The Perfect Storm \*\*by Sebastian Junger. the dullest parts were all those put in to make you feel like you knew the crew, but as for learning it includes all kinds of stuff from what it feels like to drown to how rescue jumpers train. fascinating! > > and don’t miss\*\* Into Thin Air\*\*, if you have the slightest interest in the insanity that is climbing Mt. Everest. If you like The Perfect Storm and Into Thin Air, I also highly recommend Shadow Divers, by Robert Kurson and Iron Coffins, by Herbert A. Werner. [http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Divers-Adventure-Americans-Everything/dp/0345482476/ref=la\_B001JS286Q\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345506835&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Divers-Adventure-Americans-Everything/dp/0345482476/ref=la_B001JS286Q_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345506835&sr=1-1) [http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Coffins-Personal-Account-Battles/dp/030681160X/ref=la\_B001HD0CNY\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507173&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Coffins-Personal-Account-Battles/dp/030681160X/ref=la_B001HD0CNY_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507173&sr=1-1) ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/26 "2012-08-21T00:02:57Z")
For something that won’t make you feel smarter but is still intriguing (if you’re into politics), try _Game Change_, about the 2008 US presidential election. If you didn’t follow it closely, you’ll learn lots of interesting stuff. If you DID follow it closely (as I did) you’ll still get a different perspective on the cast of characters. Everyone comes off as very human, with human strengths and foibles. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/27 "2012-08-21T00:14:50Z")
thanks, Kansas Beekeeper, I’m on it! ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/28 "2012-08-21T00:26:42Z")
Also: Chickenhawk: [http://www.amazon.com/Chickenhawk-Robert-Mason/dp/0143035711/ref=la\_B000AQ3JDY\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507767&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Chickenhawk-Robert-Mason/dp/0143035711/ref=la_B000AQ3JDY_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507767&sr=1-1) The Ghost Map: [http://www.amazon.com/The-Ghost-Map-Terrifying-Epidemic–/dp/1594482691/ref=la\_B000APC0M6\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507814&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/The-Ghost-Map-Terrifying-Epidemic--/dp/1594482691/ref=la_B000APC0M6_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507814&sr=1-1) The Grizzley Maze: [http://www.amazon.com/The-Grizzly-Maze-Treadwells-Obsession/dp/B000ILZ5IS/ref=la\_B001JSE8Z0\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507968&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/The-Grizzly-Maze-Treadwells-Obsession/dp/B000ILZ5IS/ref=la_B001JSE8Z0_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345507968&sr=1-1) Into the Wild: [http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0307387178/ref=la\_B000AQ8WPY\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508650&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0307387178/ref=la_B000AQ8WPY_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508650&sr=1-1) Ghost Hunters: [http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Hunters-William-Search-Scientific/dp/0143038958/ref=sr\_1\_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345508374&sr=1-5&keywords=ghost+hunters](http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Hunters-William-Search-Scientific/dp/0143038958/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345508374&sr=1-5&keywords=ghost+hunters) Empire of the Summer Moon: [http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Summer-Moon-Comanches-Powerful/dp/1416591060/ref=la\_B001K8A9U2\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508499&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Summer-Moon-Comanches-Powerful/dp/1416591060/ref=la_B001K8A9U2_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508499&sr=1-1) Don’t Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight: [http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lets-Dogs-Tonight-Childhood/dp/0375758992/ref=la\_B001IU2Q3A\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508725&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Lets-Dogs-Tonight-Childhood/dp/0375758992/ref=la_B001IU2Q3A_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345508725&sr=1-1) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/29 "2012-08-21T00:39:00Z")
“The Devil In The White City” is _pretty much_ nonfiction, and a great book. I say pretty much because there are quite a few speculations- in terms of, say, a conversation that may have taken place. But it’s cool how the story of the serial killer is woven into the story of the World’s fair, and the building of the fair. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/30 "2012-08-21T00:46:34Z")
> [@GovernmentMan](#): > > That’s a pretty big book. You must be a super reader I read it in about ten hours (with several bathroom breaks). Not so super. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/31 "2012-08-21T01:20:37Z")
I love history. Several of these are Pulitzer winners, and richly deserved them: Joseph Ellis, _Founding Brothers_ - A great look at the Framers of the Constitution and their relationships - sometimes friendly, sometimes not, always competitive - with each other. Garry Wills, _Lincoln at Gettysburg_ - Disassembles and explains the Gettysburg Address - literate, classy and insightful. James McPherson, _Battle Cry of Freedom_ - One of the best one-volume histories of the Civil War out there, IMHO. Geoffrey Ward et al., _The Civil War_ - Ditto. David McCullough, _Truman_ - A great bio of a long-underappreciated leader. James Flexner, _Washington: The Indispensable Man_ - Also a great bio. Read this to see just why Washington was so vital to the cause of American independence, and then how he practically invented the Presidency. Garry Wills, _Cincinnatus_ - Examines Washington as a man shaped by, and who became an icon of, the Enlightenment. David McCullough, _1776_ - Follows Washington as a determined and inspirational military leader during the darkest days of the Revolution. Richard M. Ketchum, _Victory at Yorktown_ - Explores Washington’s greatest triumph, in the 1781 battle which virtually ended the war. Ron Chernow, _Alexander Hamilton_ - A magnificent, highly readable profile of the brilliant but deeply flawed man, a key Washington advisor, who did more than anyone else to lay the groundwork for generations of American prosperity. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/32 "2012-08-21T01:26:30Z")
Just started in on Luc Sante’s _ **Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York** _. If you’re interested in the underclass of the late 19th century in NY, it might be of interest. If you’re interested in crime generally, or cons specifically, _ **The Big Con** _ might be interesting. It’s focused on the con racket of the early twentieth century, so a bit dated–I don’t think you’re going to find many of these cons around today, other than in heavily modified form. But it’s fascinating nonetheless, and inspired _The Sting_, as I recall. Also just finished _ **Where the Money Was: Memoirs of a Bank Robber** _, by Willie Sutton. Truth be told, it comes closer to being “Memoirs of a Serial Prison Escapist”, but still a good read. Obviously, this kind of stuff fascinates me… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/33 "2012-08-21T01:37:54Z")
Try Fasting Girls by William Alexander Hammond (make sure you have the right book – there is another one by the same name, but this one is free). It’s a 19th Century doctor’s look at the subject of girls and women who claimed to be able to miraculously survive without food (not to be confused with anorexia nervosa). ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/34 "2012-08-21T02:03:12Z")
[_Ahem_](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15388358&postcount=1) 😃 I’ll stop now. I promise. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/35 "2012-08-21T02:27:42Z")
[Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0609809644/?tag=hyprod-20&hvadid=15473425779&hvpos=1o5&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10511888351302710000&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&ref=asc_df_0609809644). Mesmerizing! ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/36 "2012-08-21T02:31:12Z")
[American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History](http://www.amazon.com/American-Sniper-Autobiography-Military-History/dp/0062082353) [Scar Tissue - Autobiography of Anthony Kiedis](http://www.amazon.com/Scar-Tissue-Anthony-Kiedis/dp/1401307450) (Red Hot CHili Peppers) [Inside Apple-Americas Most Admired and Secretive Company](http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Apple-Americas-Admired---Secretive--Company/dp/145551215X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516214&sr=1-1&keywords=apple) (liked it better than Jobs’ biography) ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/37 "2012-08-21T02:45:26Z")
Helter Skelter - [http://www.amazon.com/Helter-Skelter-Manson-Murders-ebook/dp/B00261OOXA/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516611&sr=1-1&keywords=helter+skelter](http://www.amazon.com/Helter-Skelter-Manson-Murders-ebook/dp/B00261OOXA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516611&sr=1-1&keywords=helter+skelter) Night Stalker -[http://www.amazon.com/Night-Stalker-ebook/dp/B005G49JP2/ref=sr\_1\_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516650&sr=1-2&keywords=night+stalker](http://www.amazon.com/Night-Stalker-ebook/dp/B005G49JP2/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516650&sr=1-2&keywords=night+stalker) Zodiac -[http://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-Robert-Graysmith/dp/0425212181/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516753&sr=1-1&keywords=zodiac](http://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-Robert-Graysmith/dp/0425212181/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516753&sr=1-1&keywords=zodiac) Rip it Up and Start Again -[http://www.amazon.com/Rip-Start-Again-1978-1984-ebook/dp/B000R7G8MA/ref=tmm\_kin\_title\_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1345516822&sr=1-4](http://www.amazon.com/Rip-Start-Again-1978-1984-ebook/dp/B000R7G8MA/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1345516822&sr=1-4) Retromania -[http://www.amazon.com/Retromania-Cultures-Addiction-Past-ebook/dp/B004GHN2IA/ref=pd\_sim\_kstore\_2](http://www.amazon.com/Retromania-Cultures-Addiction-Past-ebook/dp/B004GHN2IA/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2) Fast Food Nation -[http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Nation-All-American-ebook/dp/B003G83UI2/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516918&sr=1-1&keywords=fast+food+nation+kindle](http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Nation-All-American-ebook/dp/B003G83UI2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345516918&sr=1-1&keywords=fast+food+nation+kindle) The Omnivore’s Delimma -[http://www.amazon.com/The-Omnivores-Dilemma-Natural-ebook/dp/B000SEIDR0/ref=pd\_sim\_kstore\_2](http://www.amazon.com/The-Omnivores-Dilemma-Natural-ebook/dp/B000SEIDR0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2) Hip: A History -[http://www.amazon.com/Hip-The-History-P-S-ebook/dp/B0013L2BMU/ref=sr\_1\_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345517006&sr=1-1&keywords=hip](http://www.amazon.com/Hip-The-History-P-S-ebook/dp/B0013L2BMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345517006&sr=1-1&keywords=hip) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/38 "2012-08-21T03:17:04Z")
Let me throw in am enthusiastic seconding of some already mentioned: Richard Feynmann’s autobiographies (particularly the first - _Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynmann_) _All the President’s Men The Devil In The White City Helter Skelter_ Some others that are great reads: _The Final Days_ by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (something of a sequel to _All the President’s Men_) _The Guns of August_ by Barbara Tuchman _The Price of Power_ by Seymour Hersh _A Bright Shining Lie_ by Neil Sheehan _The Best and the Brightest_ by David Halberstam _The Civil War by Shelby Foote_ (a three volume set) _On a Wing and a Prayer_ by Harry Crosby _Goodbye, Darkness_ by William Manchester _The Right Stuff_ by Tom Wolfe _Generation Kill_ by Evan Wright ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/39 "2012-08-21T04:31:28Z")
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls - [http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Riders-Raging-Bulls-ebook/dp/B005Z37BNQ/ref=tmm\_kin\_title\_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1345523080&sr=1-1](http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Riders-Raging-Bulls-ebook/dp/B005Z37BNQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1345523080&sr=1-1) is another good pop culture book. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847/40 "2012-08-21T05:16:13Z")
It’s old stuff, but if you have not encountered James Burke’s “Connections” PBS television series before,[the book that is based on the series](http://www.amazon.com/Connections-ebook/dp/B00768D5BK/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345525902&sr=1-13&keywords=James+Burke) is on Kindle and it’s a fun, fascinating read with a very different take on the history of technology. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-nonfiction-books-to-read/631847.md?page=3)