The Greatest "Nonfiction, Political, American History" Books Since 2000

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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.

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Nonfiction

Political

The "Political" category of books encompasses works that explore the theory, practice, and history of government and politics. These books may cover topics such as political ideologies, political systems, political institutions, political movements, and political leaders. They may also examine the relationship between politics and other areas of society, such as economics, culture, and international relations. Political books can be both informative and thought-provoking, offering readers insights into the complexities of the political world and the challenges of governing in a democratic society.

American History

The "American History" category encompasses a broad range of books that delve into the events, figures, and forces that have shaped the United States from its pre-colonial days to the present. This genre includes works on pivotal moments such as the American Revolution, Civil War, and civil rights movements, as well as studies of political, social, and cultural developments across various eras. It covers biographies of influential leaders, analyses of policy changes, and examinations of societal shifts. Whether providing comprehensive overviews or focusing on specific incidents or decades, books in the American History category aim to illuminate the complexities of the nation's past, offering readers insights into the events that have defined the American experience and the context for its ongoing evolution.

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  1. 26. Nixonland by Rick Perlstein

    "Nixonland" is a detailed historical account of the political and social climate in America from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s, focusing on the rise and fall of President Richard Nixon. The book explores the divisive issues of the time, including the Vietnam War, civil rights, and the Watergate scandal, and how Nixon's manipulation of public fears and prejudices led to a new era of American conservatism. It also delves into the impact of these events on American politics and society, creating a landscape that still resonates today.

    The 8948th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Night Draws Near by Anthony Shadid

    "Night Draws Near" provides an in-depth exploration of the Iraq War's impact on Iraqi citizens, delving into the everyday lives of people caught in the crossfire of conflict. Through a series of personal stories and interviews conducted by the author, a seasoned Middle Eastern correspondent, the book paints a vivid picture of the cultural, social, and political upheaval experienced by the Iraqis. The narrative captures the resilience and suffering of individuals as they navigate the complexities of occupation, insurgency, and the struggle for democracy, offering a poignant critique of the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy in the region.

    The 9130th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into The Business Of Punishment by Shane Bauer

    In "American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey Into The Business Of Punishment," Shane Bauer goes undercover as a correctional officer at a private prison in Louisiana to expose the inhumane conditions and profit-driven motives of the American prison system. Through his experiences, Bauer reveals the corrupt and exploitative nature of the for-profit prison industry, as well as the systemic racism and abuse of power that permeates the entire criminal justice system.

    The 9277th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. White Rage by Carol Anderson

    The book in question examines the complex history of structural racism in the United States, particularly focusing on the insidious ways in which white Americans have resisted and undermined African American progress following the Civil War. It explores the backlash against African American advancement, from the Reconstruction era through to the present day, revealing how systemic racism has been perpetuated by policies, laws, and judicial decisions. The narrative highlights the gap between America's professed ideals of equality and the stark realities of racial inequality, providing a critical analysis of the political and social mechanisms that have worked to maintain white dominance and impede black progress in America.

    The 9357th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America by Eliza Griswold

    This book is a detailed account of a family living in rural Pennsylvania, whose lives are disrupted by the fracking industry. It explores the economic desperation that leads small towns to welcome fracking, the environmental and health disasters that follow, and the legal battles that families must wage to protect their rights. The narrative also delves into the political and social divides that the fracking industry exacerbates, providing a comprehensive look at the impact of this controversial practice on American society.

    The 9698th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Sons of Mississippi by Paul Hendrickson

    "Sons of Mississippi" is a powerful exploration of the legacy of racism in the American South. The book uses a famous photograph of seven Mississippi sheriffs preparing to thwart James Meredith's integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962 as a starting point. The author then traces the lives and descendants of these men, providing a deep and nuanced look at the enduring effects of prejudice and discrimination, as well as the struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States.

    The 9744th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Rough Crossings by Simon Schama

    "Rough Crossings" is a historical account of the experience of African American slaves during the American Revolution. It focuses on the British promise to grant freedom to slaves who joined their cause, and the subsequent journey of these former slaves to Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone. The book explores the complexities of this period in history, questioning the traditional narrative of the American Revolution and shedding light on the struggle for freedom and equality by African Americans.

    The 9845th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas by Louis Menand

    "The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas" is a historical account of the development of pragmatism, one of America's most significant philosophical movements. The book explores the lives and intellectual journeys of four influential thinkers - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., William James, Charles Sanders Peirce, and John Dewey. The narrative centers around the Metaphysical Club, a conversational group these men formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1872. Through their discussions, they developed the pragmatist belief that ideas are not mere reflections of reality but tools for action and problem-solving. The book also examines how their ideas influenced American thought and policy in areas such as law, education, and social reform.

    The 10069th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Liberty's Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World by Maya Jasanoff

    The book provides an in-depth exploration of the experiences of American Loyalists who were forced into exile following the American Revolution. It details their struggles and hardships as they sought to rebuild their lives in far-flung corners of the British Empire, including Canada, the Caribbean, Sierra Leone, and India. The book also examines the broader impact of this mass migration on the shaping of the British Empire and the early United States.

    The 10262nd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Color Of Law by Richard Rothstein

    "The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein explores the deeply ingrained history of racial segregation in the United States, particularly focusing on the role of government policies and practices. Through extensive research and analysis, Rothstein uncovers how discriminatory housing policies, such as redlining and racially restrictive covenants, were systematically implemented by federal, state, and local governments, perpetuating racial inequality and segregation. The book challenges the notion that segregation was solely a result of individual choices or private prejudices, emphasizing the significant role of government actions in shaping the racial landscape of America.

    The 10285th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones

    The book in question is a comprehensive re-examination of American history that places slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of the national narrative. It challenges the traditional story of America's founding by marking the year 1619, when the first enslaved Africans were brought to the Virginia colony, as the country's foundational date. Through a collection of essays, poems, and fiction, the work explores the legacy of slavery across various aspects of American society, including democracy, the economy, and the legal system, arguing that the effects of slavery and racial discrimination are embedded in the fabric of the nation's identity and continue to shape its policies and social structures today.

    The 10418th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. South To America by Imani Perry

    This book is a profound exploration of the American South, delving into its complex tapestry of history, culture, pain, and beauty to understand the region's significance to the entire United States. The author embarks on a journey through the Southern states, weaving personal narrative with historical analysis to uncover the soul of the region. By examining the South's influence on national identity and the profound impact of its past, from the legacies of slavery and the Civil War to the ongoing struggles for racial justice, the book presents a compelling argument that to truly grasp the American story, one must look South.

    The 10501st Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America by Frances FitzGerald

    This book provides a comprehensive history of the evangelical movement in America, tracing its evolution from the days of Jonathan Edwards and the Great Awakening to its significant influence on modern-day politics. The author examines the internal dynamics within the evangelical community, its relationship with other religious groups, and its impact on American society and politics. The narrative delves into the rise of the religious right, the role of evangelicals in the culture wars, and their influence on the Republican Party.

    The 10509th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Carry Me Home by Diane McWhorter

    "Carry Me Home" is a deeply researched historical account of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, during the 1960s. The book provides a comprehensive look at the racial tensions and violence that marked this period, focusing on key events such as the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. The author, who grew up in Birmingham, also interweaves personal experiences and family history into the narrative, offering a unique perspective on the complex social and political dynamics of the time.

    The 10627th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power

    This book examines the United States' response to genocides in the twentieth century, including those in Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Iraq, Bosnia, and Rwanda. The author argues that America's political leaders have consistently ignored or downplayed the severity of these genocides, and she explores the reasons behind this inaction. The book also profiles individuals who have fought to bring attention to these atrocities and hold the perpetrators accountable.

    The 10635th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Ghost Wars by Steve Coll

    "Ghost Wars" is an in-depth exploration of the complex history of Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion in 1979 to just before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The book provides an intricate account of the CIA's role and America's foreign policy in Afghanistan, the rise of the Taliban, and the emergence of Osama Bin Laden. It also details the numerous missed opportunities to capture or kill Bin Laden, and the failure to prevent the 9/11 attacks.

    The 10657th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA by Tim Weiner

    This book is a comprehensive history of the Central Intelligence Agency from its inception in 1947 to 2007. It provides an in-depth look at the agency's triumphs and failures, revealing a pattern of poor intelligence analysis, covert operations gone awry, and bureaucratic mismanagement. The author utilizes more than 50,000 documents, primarily from the archives of the CIA itself, and hundreds of interviews with CIA veterans, including ten Directors of Central Intelligence. It's a critical examination of the CIA, questioning its effectiveness and its role in both the Cold War and the War on Terror.

    The 10688th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King

    The book is a gripping account of the Groveland Boys, four African American men falsely accused of raping a white woman in Florida in 1949, and the efforts of Thurgood Marshall, a future Supreme Court justice, to defend them. The narrative delves into the depths of racial injustice and violence in the Jim Crow South, and shows how Marshall's fight for the Groveland Boys helped to lay the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement and the desegregation of America.

    The 10729th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation by Dan Fagin

    The book is a detailed account of a small town in New Jersey, Toms River, which became the epicenter of a major environmental disaster due to industrial pollution. It chronicles the community's struggle for justice, the scientific investigation into the high cancer rates, and the eventual legal battle against the chemical companies responsible. The narrative intertwines public health, legal drama, and investigative journalism, providing a cautionary tale about the consequences of environmental negligence.

    The 10737th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

    This book offers a comprehensive history of anti-Black racist ideas in America, tracing their development from the earliest days of the country to the present. It challenges the notion that racism is merely the product of ignorance and hatred, instead arguing that it is a powerful and enduring system of thought that has been deliberately constructed and maintained over centuries. The book also explores the complex ways in which racist ideas have been used to justify and perpetuate social, economic, and political inequalities.

    The 10775th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America by Greg Grandin

    The book explores the concept of the frontier throughout American history, arguing that it has been a central myth that has shaped the nation's ideologies and policies, from its inception to the present day. The author traces this myth from the country's founding, through westward expansion, to the current political climate and the contentious issue of the border wall. The book suggests that the frontier has served as a symbol of freedom and opportunity, but also of conflict and exclusion, reflecting the country's struggle with its own identity and values.

    The 10815th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. A Nation under Our Feet by Steven Hahn

    "A Nation Under Our Feet" is a comprehensive study of African American political history during the 19th century, particularly from the Civil War to World War I. The book explores the struggle of African Americans to gain and sustain political power within the American democracy. It highlights their journey from slavery to freedom, the establishment of their own institutions and political movements, and their resistance to both subtle and overt forms of disenfranchisement. The book provides a detailed analysis of the black political consciousness and its impact on the American political landscape.

    The 11290th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. The Race Beat by Gene Roberts, Hank Klibanoff

    "The Race Beat" is a historical exploration of the crucial role that the press played in the civil rights movement in the United States. The book delves into the challenges faced by journalists, both white and black, as they covered the struggle for racial equality in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. It highlights the impact of their stories on shaping public opinion and influencing policy changes, while also examining the tactics used by segregationists to control the narrative.

    The 11292nd Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson

    This book provides a comprehensive account of the 1971 Attica Prison Uprising and its aftermath. It reveals the horrific conditions that led to the prisoners' revolt, the violent retaking of the prison, and the prolonged legal battles that followed. The book also explores the cover-ups and corruption that pervaded the event and its handling, and how it influenced the national conversation about mass incarceration. It's a critical study of civil rights, law enforcement, and the U.S. justice system.

    The 11308th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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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.

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