The written word has captivated humans since ancient times. Nonfiction books tackle a vast range of topics from the latest developments in finance and economics to those deep-seated philosophical musings from years gone by. Nonfiction books can be some of the most engaging and thought-provoking reads, inspiring readers to ask themselves bigger questions and explore the unknown. We’ve compiled some of the greatest nonfiction works of all time, so settle in and start exploring.
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Yann Martel’s Life of Pi is a novel that celebrates the power of storytelling and inspires readers to look beyond the tangible and explore the possibilities of our imaginations. The story takes readers on a captivating journey with Pi, a child raised in India and somewhat of a polytheist, transporting us to an exotic world of adventure and mystery.
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
Malcolm X’s powerful autobiography is widely lauded as a classic account of the civil rights struggle of the 1960s and a testament to African American oppression and the strength of the human spirit. Written by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a stirring and dramatic narrative of his life and experiences as a Black Muslim leader.
- The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac’s The Dharma Bums is a classic and enduring work of literature that captures the spirit of the time and variety of experiences of the Beat Generation. This engaging and timeless narrative follows the journey of two spiritual seekers and their exploration of life and the Dharma, or truth.
- Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond’s remarkable work, Guns, Germs and Steel, tackles one of history’s great puzzles—why Eurasian civilizations developed guns and steel technology, while Native American cultures did not. Through this thought-provoking tale, Diamond explains how the factors of geography, plants and animals ancestry, technology, and luck all influenced the development of civilizations.
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War is an enduring ancient Chinese classic written more than two thousand years ago by the military strategist Sun Tzu. This engaging and thought-provoking text has pushed the boundaries of strategy and diplomacy for centuries, providing an insightful look into the methods of warfare and the machinations of power.
- All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front is an epic, groundbreaking novel on the horrors of war. Written from the perspective of a young German soldier on the battlefields of World War I, this powerful and devastating text is a testament to the human cost of armed conflict.
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
The Year of Magical Thinking is Joan Didion’s deeply moving and complex memoir, outlining her thoughts and reflections on grief and its relationship to other aspects of life. This thought-provoking work explores the innermost reaches of the mind, bringing out the deep emotions caused by the death of a loved one.
- The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes is an epic tour de force of history, detailing the stories of the people and the science behind the development of the atomic bomb. This powerful and insightful book is an engaging and thought-provoking look into the science and politics behind one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century.
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle’s thought-provoking guide, The Power of Now, takes readers on a journey of self-reflection and understanding. This book is an instructive work that explores the concepts of mindfulness and the power of being present in the moment.
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood is Truman Capote’s classic, true-crime masterpiece and a landmark of investigative reporting. This powerful and haunting book follows the blood-soaked story of two young brothers in rural Kansas and the circumstances that led to their tragic demise.
Nonfiction books are some of the most engaging and thought-provoking reads and explore a variety of topics from finance and economics to philosophy and spirituality. This article summarizes some of the best nonfiction books of all time and includes Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac, Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.
