Nonfiction Book Reviews

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I was discussing books with a coworker the other day (hi, Corrine!) and she told me that she has tried time and again to read nonfiction books because she feels like she should.  After all, you learn so much more from nonfiction than you do fiction, and she wants to learn.

But she says that she can’t get through any nonfiction books because they are all so boor-ring!!!  She said (and I quote), “I start reading, and within minutes, my head is down on my chest, and I’m sleeping.  I just can’t stay awake through those books!”

I used to have that perception of nonfiction books too.  Nonfiction?  No way.  That’s boring, dry stuff!  Let’s read some fiction, where there’s action and storylines and FUN stuff.  Right?  Yeah, I see you nodding your head.  It’s true - fiction is almost universally thought of as the interesting books, and nonfiction as the dry tomes that only desperately dull people read.

Leaving aside the debate of whether I am desperately dull or not (no comments from the peanut gallery!) I think that there are a lot of nonfiction books that do not deserve the title of dull, and that anyone could enjoy reading.  I figured that it was about time I put together a list of my top ten favorite nonfiction books.  None of these books are academic treatises on a subject, I give you my solemn oath.

Most of these books I’ve written reviews of on here; in those cases, I have linked to the reviews.  Also, I am trying to link to a variety of books, so that if you’re not interested in biographies, for example, you might want to read a book about finances or relationships.  So it isn’t that I have ADHD or something (although that is possible…)

Let’s get going, shall we?

1. Marley and Me by John Grogan: If you do not laugh while reading this book, there is a good chance you are dead.  I just thought you should be aware of that.  There could be some sort of freaky sixth sense thing going on here.  I have not watched Marley and Me the movie, so I have zero input on that (although here’s a great review of Marley and Me the movie from another site).  Marley and Me the book is actually the book I ended up recommending to my coworker.  We’ll see if she enjoys it as much as I think she will.
2. Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand: No top ten list of mine would be complete without including my other favorite animal nonfiction book, Seabiscuit.  There is a lot more to this book than just Seabiscuit the horse, which at times can seem overwhelming, but it really helps set the stage for horse racing, which makes the racing portions of the book come alive.  Again, I have not watched the movie.  Anyone seeing a trend here?  Hmmm…
3. John Adams by David McCullough: This is one I have not written a review of yet, but it was one of the first nonfiction books that I ever read, and absolutely turned me on to biographies of historical figures, and especially biographies written by David McCullough.  He is a fantastic writer; at the end of John Adams, I actually cried because, you know, John Adams died.  (Hope I didn’t just ruin it for anyone.)  But that’s how strongly McCullough makes you care about his subjects of his books.  I did write a review of his masterpiece, 1776: Illustrated Edition, so check that out.  And no, I did not watch the John Adams movie either, in case you were wondering.
4. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson: There is no way to walk away from this book without feeling inspired, uplifted, and full of the can-do spirit.  Well, I guess you could if you were dead, but didn’t we already go over that?  Anyway, when I read a fiction book of how someone works hard to overcome incredible odds, I nod and smile and think, “Well of course he did!  It’s easy to do that in the fiction world.”  But when I read nonfiction book about a homeless mountain climber building hundreds of schools in the Middle East and doing his part to bring peace to the world…Well, it’s just hard to argue with that, you know?  And even harder to not want to do something yourself to help.
5. Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls: If you’re up for a depressing but touching and truly wonderful memoir, then this is just the book for you.  There is a reason this book was on the New York Bestseller’s list for ages.  If you have not read it before, go forth and read.  I guarantee your complete satisfaction, or your…well, sorry, you’re just screwed.  But really, you should be satisfied.  Most likely.
6. Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall: If you’re into polygamy books, then you absolutely must check out Stolen Innocence.  I’ve read most of the polygamy books out there, and I enjoyed this one the most.  Elissa manages to tell her depressing story without being completely depressing and/or bitter to the bitter end.  It is also the best edited out of the polygamy books; some of the other ones could have stood to have a little better editing job done.  If you read one polygamy book, make it this one.
7. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman: In the crowded books-about-relationships field, Five Love Languages is consistently rated one of the top books of the genre.  There is a reason for this: The book plain makes sense.  If you’re in the market for a great book to help you out with your relationship with your loved one, then you must buy this book.  Between Five Love Languages and Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, you honestly cannot go wrong.
8. Hands of My Father by Myron Uhlberg: This is a fantastic memoir of a boy growing up during the Depression, son of two deaf parents.  I will be posting my review of it soon, but suffice it to say that I LOVED it.  Really and truly.  Check it out on Amazon in the meanwhile.  You won’t be sorry.
9. Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey: If you’re looking for a book on personal finances (how to manage your money) then this it.  Look no further.  Ramsey manages to make the book not only chockful of interesting information, but also interesting, inspiring, and easy to read.
10. Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe by Robin Kerrod and Carole Stott: Of course I couldn’t put together a list of my favorite nonfiction books without listing an astronomy book.  There are a lot of books that offer collections of space pictures, but I have to say that this the best one I’ve ever come across.  Gorgeous pictures, quality printing job, insightful info…You really can’t get any better than this book for space pictures.

So, did I miss any?  What is your favorite nonfiction book?  And if you say you don’t have one, then get reading!  I’d suggest starting with one the above books.  All are guaranteed to be snore free.

Or something like that…

Hava

In honor of Independence Day, I decided that there was no better book that could I read and review than 1776: The Illustrated Edition, David McCullough’s account of the momentous year that our nation first declared its independence.

I had not read 1776 before picking up the illustrated edition from the library, so you’ll want to bear that in mind when reading my review.  I actually have 1776 on my bookshelf (given to me by my older brother several years ago) but I just never got around to reading it.  I spied the illustrated edition at the library a couple of weeks ago, and thought it just looked too cool to pass up. I’m so glad I checked it out!

1776: The Illustrated Edition is a large book - over a foot tall and almost 2 inches thick - but it needs that much space to hold all the author wanted to contain.  In a rare move, the book contains 10 different envelopes with a total of 61 pieces of paper that the reader can take out and peruse at their leisure.  Copies of maps, letters, and important documents are in the envelopes, and you get the feel that you’re on an archival mission, digging up scraps of paper from the past that are an important part of our history.  It’s really quite cool.

Along with the envelopes and papers, there are also pictures on almost every page of the book - portraits painted of various generals and leaders, or maps drawn by spies of where encampments were made…It’s a visual feast that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It was fascinating for me to read the ledger kept by George Washington as commander-in-chief, and to see the entries made where he paid for spies to collect information.

With all of this visual information, it would have been incredibly easy to go light on the text, but honestly, the story was even more intriguing to me than the pictures.  I read the book in two days, which is really fast even for me, but I just had to know “what happened next.”  I told my husband that, and he drolly replied, “We won the war, honey.” Thanks, babe.

Mr. McCullough has an absolutely amazing ability to make his readers feel as if they are living what he’s saying.  The story of taking Boston from the British literally had me on the edge of my seat.  It was a daring exploit that could have so easily gone wrong.  After I finished that story, I thought, “That was like the plotline for a Hollywood blockbuster!”

It was Mr. McCullough’s storytelling abilities that made me feel that way.  I’m definitely going to be reading more of his books, including 1776.  I’ll make sure to review it on here when I do.

Meanwhile, 1776: Illustrated Edition was just the reminder I needed this 4th of July that the founders of this country sacrificed and struggled and died so we could be free.  Several people, including George Washington, talk about how they are fighting for the millions who are yet unborn, so they could have freedom.

They fought for me.

I have never been so thankful for America and our founding fathers, as I was when I finished this book.

5 out of 5 stars.  For the budding historians out there, or anyone interested in American history, this book is an absolute cannot miss.

Hava