Just in case all this isn’t enough, check out this thread (which I’ve had bookmarked for a while).
Tim Cahill is usually good value.
I’d second whoever recommended John Simpson.
David Cordingly’s books of maritime history are interesting.
I’m reading at the moment ‘Cliffs of Despair’ by Tom Hunt. A little morbid, but also surprisingly entertaining.
A Short History of Everything* by Bill Bryson. Someone on the 'Dope recommended it to me, and I’m forever grateful to them.
I’ll second this book as a terrific read, along with the companion book, Blue Nile. I’ll also second Endurance as an excellent book.
I’m presently reading Blue Latitudes, by Horwitz. This is a highly entertaining read by a guy and his amusing English friend who are retracing Capt. Cook’s voyages through Polynesia, etc. Educational, factual and hilarious at the same time.
I recently finished All Over But the Shoutin’, by Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Bragg. Bragg, until recently, was a reporter for the New York Times. The book details his humble origins in the “white trash” south, the trials of his family, his escape from that environment, and his unbreakable ties to his past. A very amusing and poignant look at life in the dirt-poor rural south. An excellent book.
Another recommendation is Darkest Jungle, by Todd Balf. This is the story of the expedition that tried to cross the Darien Isthmus in Panama in 1854. This area on the map looks like a short hike, but it contains some of the densest jungle in the world. Two months after they left civilization, the survivors were rescued, starving and diseased.
I myself have this book and it IS good-BUT, I would caution that the theory that Victoria was illegitimate, put forth by the authors, is very shaky. Especially as more evidence has come out that Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, possibly DID have a history of hemophilia in her own family. If you look back at the Duchesses ancestors, you see a large number of males dying young of unknown causes. And for this theory to work, her unknown sire would have to have been a hemophiliac himself. So that also limits the possibilities.
Besides, if you compare pictures of Victoria to those of her legal father’s (Edward, Duke of Kent) family, there’s no question she’s a Hanover.
So read it if you like, but just take it with a grain of salt.
Now then, I’m currently reading a book by Flora Fraser about the daughters of George III: Princesses: the Six Daughters of George III. So far, it’s quite interesting.
Anything by Bill Bryson, Barbara Ehrenreich, Andrew Tobias or Michael Lewis.
Helter Skelter
Zodiac
The Night Stalker
The Zombie Survival Guide
Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds, which happens to be, well, the memoirs of legendary ace Robin Olds. Double-ace from WWII who served as a Wing Commander during the Vietnam War, famous for his mustache almost as much for his flying skills and leadership.
Also, unable to keep his mouth shut to save his life, so that makes for some entertaining situations. He’s got a style of writing that’s pretty blunt and fun to read when discussing various situations where he thought someone was being an idiot or where he nearly got himself killed doing something he knew better than to do.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
If the WWII era is of interest, I recommend Richard M. Ketchum’s The Borrowed Years.
From the Publishers Weekly blurb, which will give you a better sense of it than I ever could:
Some history, biography, memoir, and social science all in one highly enjoyable read.
Over The Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon
I’m not usually one for non-fiction but this was fascinating. I literally tore through it in a day. The human folly aspect was just astounding…
Wicked River by Lee Sandlin, about the Mississippi during its heyday.
Also, WWII buffs, there is this long essay by the abovementioned author on his website: ‘Losing The War’ Losing the War - by Lee Sandlin - made me cry.
Not sure why this thread was raised from the dead, but there are some good suggestions here.
My sentimental favourite is “The Barmaid’s Brain” by Jay Ingram. It’s a collection of science anecdotes, but no scientific knowledge is required.
I have a pile of Uncle John’s Bathroom readers next to my bed. It’s perfect since I usually get tired after a dozen or so pages of reading, I can finish off a few articles and if I don’t pick it up again for a month I don’t have to worry about forgetting where I was.
I will suggest Connections. I just found that ALL of the tv episodes are online on a YouTube channel! I am so going to be watching these!
I’m reading Closing Time by Daniel Okrent and I am really enjoying it.