The Greatest Iranian, Romanian, English "Nonfiction" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Nonfiction

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Iranian

Romanian

English

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

    This graphic novel is a memoir that provides a personal account of the author's childhood and young adult years in Iran during and after the Islamic revolution. The story portrays the impact of war, political upheaval, and religious extremism on ordinary people, while also exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. Despite the harsh realities the protagonist faces, the narrative also includes moments of humor and warmth, providing a nuanced view of life in Iran during this tumultuous period.

    The 626th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. On the Heights of Despair by Emil Cioran

    "On the Heights of Despair" is a philosophical exploration of the human condition, particularly focusing on themes such as existentialism, despair, and nihilism. The author delves into the idea of life as suffering and the inevitability of death, offering a bleak yet thought-provoking perspective on existence. The work is a profound contemplation of life's absurdity, loneliness, and the struggle to find meaning, presenting an introspective journey into the depths of despair and the heights of existential thought.

    The 1702nd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Persepolis Two by Marjane Satrapi

    This graphic novel continues the story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. After being sent to Europe for her safety, she struggles with feeling out of place and longs for her homeland. Eventually, she returns to Iran, only to find it vastly different from the place she remembered. The book explores themes of identity, culture, and the effects of political upheaval on a personal level.

    The 3159th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The Temptation To Exist by Emil Cioran

    "The Temptation to Exist" is a philosophical work that explores the human condition and the inherent struggles of existence. The author delves into themes of nihilism, despair, and the search for meaning in a world filled with suffering. Through a series of thought-provoking essays, Cioran challenges traditional beliefs, questions the nature of reality, and reflects on the complexities of human existence, ultimately offering a bleak yet profound perspective on the human experience.

    The 3279th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Images And Symbols by Mircea Eliade

    The book is a profound exploration of the symbolism inherent in religious images, myths, and rituals. It delves into the various ways in which symbols function within different cultures, examining their role in expressing the metaphysical dimension of reality. The author argues that symbols are integral to human experience, allowing individuals to transcend the ordinary world and connect with a deeper, universal level of consciousness. Through an analysis of diverse religious traditions and artistic expressions, the work reveals how symbols serve as a bridge between the sacred and the profane, offering insights into the human quest for meaning and the spiritual dimension of life.

    The 3279th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

    The book is a memoir that takes place in Iran from 1979 to 1997, during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. The story focuses on a professor who secretly gathers seven of her most committed female students to read forbidden Western literature in her home. As they read and discuss works by authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, and Vladimir Nabokov, they explore their personal dreams and the losses they suffered due to the political, social, and cultural climate of the time.

    The 4109th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Holy Dying by Jeremy Taylor

    The book in question is a Christian devotional work that explores the theme of death and the proper attitudes and practices one should adopt in preparation for it. It serves as a guide for the dying and those attending to them, offering theological reflections, moral instruction, and prayers intended to comfort and prepare souls for their final journey. The text emphasizes the transient nature of life, the importance of repentance, and the virtues of a holy life, aiming to provide readers with a sense of peace and a roadmap for achieving a blessed death in accordance with Christian teachings.

    The 4151st Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. For My Legionaries by Corneliu Zelea Codreanu

    The book is a manifesto and autobiographical account that details the creation and political ideology of the Iron Guard, a nationalist and anti-Semitic organization in Romania during the early 20th century. It combines personal experiences with ideological exposition, advocating for a nationalist revival, anti-communist and anti-Semitic policies, and a radical overhaul of Romanian society based on Christian values and extreme nationalism. The narrative also reflects the author's leadership role and his vision for a unified, spiritually cleansed Romania, emphasizing loyalty, discipline, and the sacrifice necessary to combat perceived corruption and foreign influence.

    The 4677th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. Daughter Of Persia: A Woman's Journey From Her Father's Harem Through The Islamic Revolution by Sattareh Farman-Farmaian

    This memoir recounts the extraordinary life of a woman born into a privileged family in early 20th-century Iran, who witnessed the dramatic shifts of her country's social and political landscape. Growing up in a polygamous household, she broke with tradition to pursue an education abroad, later returning to Iran to become a pioneering advocate for social reform and women's rights. Her story spans the rise and fall of the Pahlavi dynasty, the advent of the Islamic Revolution, and her subsequent exile, offering a personal lens on Iran's complex history and the role of women within it. Through her journey, she embodies the struggles and resilience of a nation in the face of modernity and change.

    The 5329th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas

    This memoir tells the story of an Iranian family who migrated to America in the 1970s, offering a humorous take on their experiences. The narrative focuses on the author's childhood and adolescence, exploring themes of cultural identity, assimilation, and the immigrant experience in America. It highlights the family's journey of navigating a new country and culture, while still holding on to their Iranian roots. The book showcases the author's ability to find humor in the most challenging situations, making it a heartwarming and amusing read.

    The 5445th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Journal, 1935 44 by Mihail Sebastian

    "Journal, 1935-44" is a captivating collection of diary entries written by an insightful and introspective individual named Mihail Sebastian. Spanning almost a decade, the journal provides a unique glimpse into the author's personal thoughts, experiences, and observations during a tumultuous period in history. Through his poignant reflections, Sebastian explores themes of identity, love, politics, and the human condition, offering readers a profound and thought-provoking journey through his inner world.

    The 5457th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Poems Of Henry Howard by Henry Howard

    This collection is an assemblage of Renaissance poetry by an influential English nobleman, often credited with pioneering the use of the English sonnet form before Shakespeare. The poems reflect a range of themes, from romantic and courtly love to reflections on morality and the human condition, showcasing the poet's linguistic dexterity and deep engagement with the literary and cultural currents of his time. The work is notable for its early use of blank verse and for capturing the transition between the medieval world and the early modern era, offering insight into the intellectual and emotional landscape of the Tudor court.

    The 7168th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Ecclesiastical History Of The English People by Bede

    This book is a seminal historical work that chronicles the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of England, spanning from the arrival of St. Augustine in Kent in 597 AD to the time of the author in the early 8th century. It combines theological discussion with historical narrative, detailing the rise of Christianity, the conflicts between the Roman and Celtic traditions, the lives of prominent saints, and the establishment of monastic centers. The author, a monk and scholar, uses a variety of sources to compile a history that is both a spiritual record and a valuable document of early English history, emphasizing the role of the church in unifying and educating the diverse peoples of England.

    The 8235th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Avesta by Zoroastrian scripture

    "Avesta" is a sacred text of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion predating Islam. The book contains the teachings of Zoroaster (Zarathustra), the prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism. It includes hymns, rituals, and legal and ethical codes, all intended to guide followers in their spiritual journey. The text also provides insights into the history, culture, and philosophical concepts of the Zoroastrian faith, including the dualistic cosmology of good and evil and the role of free will.

    The 8235th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download