good nonfiction

[CubbyNick42]

I've read both Malcolm Gladwell's books (Tipping Point, Blink) and a book by the people at Baseball Prospectus in the last few weeks, and don't have much desire to read anything but nonfiction for the foreseeable future. Any recommendations? I'm open to any genre, as long as I can learn something.

[brentkid]

Freakonomics. Nickel and Dimed.

[CubbyNick42]

Freakonomics
Definitely on my list. Is Nickel and Dimed worth it? I had a professor make a bunch of references to it, but I didn't get much desire to read it.

[Smash Adams]

England's Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond by john savage
pretty cool look at the origins of punk rock music

fast food nation by Eric Schlosser
probably heard of this, pretty much all that's wrong with fast food

[brentkid]

Definitely on my list. Is Nickel and Dimed worth it? I had a professor make a bunch of references to it, but I didn't get much desire to read it.
Yeah, I read a passage of it for a Sociology class I took this past year and then decided to read the whole thing. I liked it, personally.

[CubbyNick42]

I just picked up Stiff by Mary Roach. It's about cadavers, but the reviews say it's pretty funny. I'm intrigued.

[anamericangod]

prozac nation by elizabeth wurtzel. also more, now, again is another good book of hers.

the bell jar by sylvia plath.

a million little pieces and my friend leonard by james frey. pretty much nonfiction, he changed some shit around but those books are still fucking amazing.

[EndlessMike]

I just bought Think by Michael R. LeGault. It's sort of like a rebuttal to Blink. I haven't started it yet though, so I don't know how good it is. I also just finished Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer, it's a fantastic book definitely worth checking out.

[Kram41]

Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig is a really good book regarding the entertainment industry and the future of music and copyright laws. Dense at times, but really informative.

[Bishop]

Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley
A book detailing the life stories of the soldiers who raised the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II, and their stories before during and after the war.

Sala's Gift by Ann Kirschner
Story about the writer's mother who went from labor camp to labor camp working during the Holocaust. The book also includes letters and pictures of birthday cards that were sent between the workers and their families. Very moving.

[Lee McGee]

The world is flat..the author's name was something feldman
It's about the world getting flatter because of 21st century communication....interesting read

[ForlrnPerplxity]

Einstein by Walter Isaacson.

I have it, but haven't read it yet. It's supposed to be really good.

[senatorlamb]

The world is flat..the author's name was something feldman
It's about the world getting flatter because of 21st century communication....interesting read

That would be Thomas Friedman.

And you do realize that the "world getting flatter" is a metaphor...right?!

[Smithers]

The Westies is an awesome read. It's about the Irish mob in Hell's Kitchen, NY during the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

i still can't believe no one's made it into a movie yet.

[brentkid]

In Cold Blood was fantastic as well. Forgot to mention that.

[williek311]

Freakonomics. Nickel and Dimed.

Did not enjoy that book at all.

[CubbyNick42]

In Cold Blood was fantastic as well. Forgot to mention that.
Good call. One of my favorites.

[Chancetobe]

I can't get into most non-fiction. Unless it's something regarding Russian history. And even then... I'd rather read fiction.

[radiofriendly]

If you're a history buff, i just finished Founding Brothers, and it was exceptional. Unbelievable study of the founders of this country, and some great philosophy as well

Freakonomics blew my mind

Don't hate until you try it, but The Innocent Man by John Grisham was one of the most fascinating reads i've had in a long time. stunning story of man victimized by the justice system in a small town. i couldn't put it down.

also enjoyed a million little pieces. Friday Night Lights(mostly because i'm a smaller town texan. that really hit home)

[Smithers]

i've heard good things about A Million Little Fibers.

[radiofriendly]

I also highly recommend 'Hollywood Vs. America' by Michael Medved. it's very outdated, but it's a pretty gutsy expose on the negative effect of movies/music/tv on america's moral culture.

then of course there's 'I hope they serve beer in hell'. no one tells a story like Tucker Max. i don't care if they're fabricated or not.

[CubbyNick42]

The world is flat..the author's name was something feldman
It's about the world getting flatter because of 21st century communication....interesting read
Just picked this up from the library. I'll get started this week.

[xnotedgex]

I recommend Gulag by Anne Applebaum. If you're not familiar with the term, the Gulag was the system of camps in Russia which paralleled (but dwarfed) the concentration camps of the Nazis. It's amazing how the Nazi camps recieve so much attention yet the Gulag is so unknown by most people.

[HoustonCalling]

Books I Bought Last Weekend:

The Tipping Point
Baseball Between the Numbers
Liars Poker

I've also read Blink which was great, I think we're in the same boat. I can't read anything but nonfiction. When I read I want to learn something, fictional stories just don't do it for me as of late.

[senatorlamb]

I mentioned it in the other book thread, but I just finished reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey.

After he loses the election of 1912, TR, his son, and various explorers go on an expedition to map a river through the extremely deadly, and uncharted portions of the South American Rainforest. The stuff they faced between near starvation, Indian attack, and various forms of animal life was ridicilous. And TR nearly dies. Overall, it's interesting biography, mixed in with history, geography, science, and adventure. Good read.

[CubbyNick42]

Books I Bought Last Weekend:

The Tipping Point
Baseball Between the Numbers
Liars Poker

I've also read Blink which was great, I think we're in the same boat. I can't read anything but nonfiction. When I read I want to learn something, fictional stories just don't do it for me as of late.
I wish I'd read Blink first. The Tipping Point, IMO, is better structured and much more concise.

[LV03]

Lies my teacher told me

[MADSTA]

prozac nation by elizabeth wurtzel. also more, now, again is another good book of hers.

the bell jar by sylvia plath.

a million little pieces and my friend leonard by james frey. pretty much nonfiction, he changed some shit around but those books are still fucking amazing.
Yes.