recommend some factual books?

Question

I would like to broaden the range of books i read as I am on a quest to make myself more intelligent.
At the moment I find myself only reading works of fiction.
Could anyone recoment to me some non-fiction books that would be interesting.
Preferably away from science etc.
History or Religion is welcome.

Answer 1

How about some true recent history?

The River Runs Salt, Runs Sweet by Jasmina Dervisevic-Cesic is about a girl who begins falling in love for the first time just before the start of the Bosnian war. It is every bit as riveting as fiction, but has the added advantage of being true. By reading it, you'll learn something about an important event in the recent past, but also about one woman's amazing example about how to come through adversity as a shining example of courage and optimism.

There's some awful stuff that happens to Jasmina, but she really shines in spite of her suffering. She's my hero.

Answer 2

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It's about the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago & H.H. Holmes. It's an interesting historical read.

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord... about the Titanic.

Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. Enough said.

Night by Elie Wiesel. This is another Holocaust story... but I'm not sure if you consider it fiction or nonfiction. To quote a reviewer from Amazon.com, "This is supposed to be fiction, but in a style that seems to be typical of many modern Israeli novelists, it is so close to the truth of the actual events that transpired in Wiesel's life that it might as well be treated as autobiographical." So I think it's more of a memoir type of book than a complete work of fiction. It's one of my favorite books.

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt... a memoir. I've only ever read an excerpt, but I really liked it and I've wanted to read the whole book since.

If you want to read books about religion, why not try texts that are central and sacred to different religions? For example, read some (or all) of the Bible, the Koran, etc. These works are considered nonfiction by the libraries of America, and there's no better way to learn about a religion than by studying what the actual beliefs are.

Answer 3

I am not trying to be a smartie or be insulting, but try your local library. There are so many non-fiction books out there.
The librarians are usually very helpful in selecting books.
Or make a list of genres you would enjoy reading, go to the library, and go through the stacks. That's half the fun of going to the library. If finally select some books ask the librarian about the book (how hard to read and its relevance) and the reputation of the author.

Happy hunting and I know you'll find something out there. Good luck. As a compulsive reader and teacher, it impresses me that you are sincerely interested in increasing your knowledge. So many books, so little time.

Answer 4

Even After All This Time: A Story of Love, Revolution, and Leaving Iran by Afschineh Latifi

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

Remember Me: A Lively Tour of the New American Way of Death by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

Try your local public library. At mine, there is always a display of new nonfction that people are always browsing. I love just looking over the new books about a whole variety of subjects and written in a variety of styles.

Answer 5

would highly recommend some good books to Broaden your horizons Rosie Darling(by RosieSwale) children of cape horn(Rosie swale) Angel of Mostar(Sally Becker)
Hillary Rodam Clinton(cant remember author) The Beggars are Coming (Mary Loos) best book I have ever read. I did enjoy A Women of Substance by Barbara taylor Bradford although it was fiction it was based on a true story . I also like Rosie Thomas.

Answer 6

A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson (In a Sunburned Country by same is also good)
Paula, by Isabel Allende
Bury Me Standing, by Isabel Fonseca
Georgiana : Duchess of Devonshire, by Amanda Foreman
The Orchid Thief, by Susan Orlean
Up in the Old Hotel, by Joseph Mitchell
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, by Alexandra Fuller
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose
Daisy Bates in the Desert, by Julia Blackburn

Answer 7

If you can find it, try a book called 'The Discoverers' by Daniel Boorstin. I think that's the correct title and author. I read it ages ago--it must be 20 years old--sort of a pop history focussing on the great explorers throughout world history. Can't remember a bit of it now! But I do know it was a terrifically entertaining and educational read. Now I'm going to have to find it again for myself! Good luck tho'...

Answer 8

Catherine Marshall- A Man Called Peter
Larry Miller-Spoiled Rotten America
Bill O'Reilley-any of his
Walid Shoebat-Why We Want To Kill You(ex PLO)
Billy Graham-Just As I Am

Answer 9

Rubicon by Tom Holland.

It is about the Republican period of ancient Rome. It takes you through period that is well covered by fiction (Shakespeare, the recent television series "Rome", old Hollywood films etc etc) and that has a fabulous cast of characters: Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Marc Anthony plus a multitude of lesser known but interesting historical figures. It will give your more depth and historical context than a lot of fictional accounts but the period is so interesting and the writing is so good that it reads like more like fiction than something "worthy".

Answer 10

I'm reading charlie Richardson's autobiography at the moment, I'm liking all gangster books at moment. I've read the krays (great book) and also Lenny McLean (a great boxer).
i would also recommend a book called A FEW KIND WORDS AND A LOADED GUN, this again is a great book. good luck with your quest!!!