What's the best non-fiction book you ever read?

Question

I would like to know what is the best non-fiction book you ever read and why?

Answer 1

The bible ------- a Best Seller for 2000 years

Answer 2

The Histories - Herodotus The Decline and Fall of virtually anybody - Will Cuppy a quick historic past of technology - Thomas Crump Chaos: the wonderful technology of the unexpected - James Gleick Lives of the Caesars - Suetonius Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Alblom the international's excellent Crooks & Conmen - Nigel Blundell looking the misplaced cities - Rebecca Stefoff Gaius Marius, a biography - Dr Richard Evans What the canine observed and different Adventures - Malcolm Gladwell

Answer 3

Thomas Cahill has written (is writing) a series called 'The Hinges of History'. The first was 'How the Irish Saved Civilization' and there are four others so far. He plans two more. It is a fascinating series on world history with an emphasis on the evolution of the Church. They all stand alone but reading them in order is probably the best way. They are full of interesting facts and Cahill has a gift for making history interesting and relevant. He also has a subtle sense of humor. All good reads.

Answer 4

A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (had to re-read quite a few paragraphs to get my head around certain parts, but it is very interesting)

The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins (I like a balanced outlook)

On Writing - Stephen King (I am interested in writing and a fan of King, so it was a good combination)

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers - Various Contributors (I have an interest in disturbed minds)

Musashi (OK, an adaption of the true story of Miyamoto Musashi with a few liberties taken - famous Japanese Swordsman - I am very interested in Samurai and that era of Japan)

Answer 5

Jon Krakauer is an excellent non-fiction writer, and I enjoyed "Into the Wild" quite a bit. He allows the reader to see the possibilities of adventure in a modern world.

Answer 6

The only non-fiction book i have read so far is "death be not proud" by john gunther. the author writes about his son who had brain tumor at age of 17. its a really sad and interesting story. i love that book.

Answer 7

"The secret life of Oscar Wilde" by Neil McKenna.
Well, i had read most of Oscar's work, but i realized i didn't know that much about him. So i got this off of Amazon- it's really good. It tells you all about his sexuality, drug-taking, alcoholism, financial trouble, jail etc. Cool.
But if you donit like Wilde, then don't bother reading this book. It's quite long

Answer 8

The Demon Haunted World- by Carl Sagan

My introduction to critical thinking, which led me to a much deeper, less mystical but much richer understanding of the world around me. (Previously his book Cosmos had lit the candles of curiosity for science that had never been touched in school.)

Answer 9

Into The Wild, by John Krakauer. It is one of the most honest accounts of the individual's struggle to find himself that I have ever read.

Answer 10

I really enjoyed "mutant message down under" by Marlo Morgan
It is the fine story of an american woman who thought she was going to Australia to give a lecture to Some tribal members, and who was instead "abducted" by them, to let her know of their lifestyle and plights.
A very good non-fiction read.

Answer 11

The best book evR??? Mao's Last Dancer. It's a must read. It's about a poor peasant boy, being randomly picked (in china) and becomes great. It's really long but once you get to the end; you don't want it to be ovR. But the beginning is a bit boring.