In this article, we’ve handpicked the 50 best non-fictions of all time, spanning diverse topics like history, science, and self-help. There’s a book for everyone, regardless of your non-fiction preferences.
But wait, there’s more!
If you’re someone who has ever felt like your TBR pile is taller than your bookshelf, between new releases and hidden gems, the reading list just keeps growing… Then you just stumbled upon the right place!
You’re about to conquer that TBR mountain in bite-sized chunks! How?
Wizdom provides you with bite-sized key insights from all of these 50 non-fiction books and more in an engaging audio/text format, all designed to help you absorb unlimited knowledge and wisdom in just 15 minutes.
Ready to ditch the dusty tomes and dive into an intellectual adventure? This list is your map, Wizdom is your compass, and your curiosity is the wind in your sails.
Let’s dive in!
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
“A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson takes readers on a captivating journey through the history of science, uncovering the fascinating stories behind some of humanity’s greatest discoveries.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” and “Homo Deus” by Yuval Noah Harari offer thought-provoking insights into the history and future of humanity, exploring how our species has evolved and the potential paths that lie ahead.
Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari
“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” and “Homo Deus” by Yuval Noah Harari offer thought-provoking insights into the history and future of humanity, exploring how our species has evolved and the potential paths that lie ahead.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl delves into the depths of human suffering and resilience, offering profound philosophical reflections on finding purpose and meaning in life.
Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking’s “Brief History of Time” is a seminal work in the field of cosmology, providing readers with a clear and accessible overview of complex scientific concepts.
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
“Think Like a Monk” by Jay Shetty offers practical wisdom and spiritual insights inspired by Shetty’s time as a monk, providing readers with tools for personal growth and self-discovery.
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
“The Gene: An Intimate History” by Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the history and impact of genetics on society, weaving together scientific research with personal narratives to create a compelling narrative.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow” examines the cognitive biases that influence human decision-making, offering valuable insights into how our minds work and how we can make better choices.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill is a timeless classic in the realm of personal development and success literature, offering practical principles and strategies for achieving wealth and success.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert
“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History” by Elizabeth Kolbert explores the ongoing mass extinction event driven by human activity, shedding light on the profound impact of environmental changes on Earth’s biodiversity.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot tells the remarkable story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used without her consent to advance medical research, raising important ethical questions about consent and ownership of biological materials.
“Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” is a poignant memoir that chronicles his experiences growing up as a biracial child in South Africa during the apartheid era, offering a unique perspective on race, identity, and resilience.
“Educated” by Tara Westover is a gripping memoir of survival and self-discovery, recounting Westover’s journey from a childhood in a strict and isolated religious household to earning a PhD from Cambridge University.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson explores the enduring legacy of caste systems in societies around the world, drawing parallels between caste divisions in India, the Jim Crow era in the United States, and present-day social hierarchies.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain challenges the notion that extroversion is the ideal personality trait, celebrating the strengths and contributions of introverts in a society that often values extroversion.
Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear
“Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results” by James Clear offers practical strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones, emphasizing the power of small actions and incremental progress in achieving long-term goals.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey is a classic self-help book that outlines seven principles for personal and professional success, focusing on principles such as proactivity, prioritization, and synergy.
Daring Greatly: How Courage Builds True Belonging by Brené Brown
“Daring Greatly: How Courage Builds True Belonging” by Brené Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and its role in building meaningful connections and fostering resilience in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
“The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman explores the concept of love languages, identifying five primary ways people express and experience love, and how understanding these languages can strengthen relationships.
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray
“Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray offers insights into the fundamental differences between men and women in relationships, providing guidance on how to navigate communication and understand each other’s needs.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to interpersonal communication and influence, offering practical advice on building rapport, resolving conflicts, and persuading others.
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
“Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” by David Allen presents a systematic approach to personal and professional organization, helping readers increase productivity and reduce stress by managing tasks effectively.
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
“Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” by Cal Newport explores the concept of deep work—focused, undistracted work that produces high-quality results—and offers strategies for cultivating this skill in an age of constant distraction.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
“The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg delves into the science of habit formation, exploring how habits are formed, how they can be changed, and the impact they have on our lives and society.
“The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko examines the habits and behaviors of millionaires in America, challenging common misconceptions about wealth and offering practical advice for building financial security.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki shares the author’s personal finance philosophy, contrasting the financial lessons he learned from his “poor” dad (his biological father) with those he learned from his “rich” dad (his friend’s father), and advocating for financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
48 Laws of Power by Rober Greene
“The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene explores the dynamics of power and influence, drawing lessons from historical figures and events to offer strategies for attaining and maintaining power in various contexts.
“Do Epic Sh*t” by Ankur Warikoo is a motivational guide to living a fulfilling and purpose-driven life, encouraging readers to step out of their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life by Gary John Bishop
“Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life” by Gary John Bishop offers straightforward advice for overcoming self-doubt, negative thinking, and limiting beliefs, empowering readers to take control of their lives and pursue their goals with confidence.
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by Mark Manson challenges conventional self-help wisdom by advocating for a more honest and realistic approach to life, focusing on what truly matters and letting go of expectations and societal pressures.
Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant
“Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success” by Adam Grant explores the dynamics of reciprocity in personal and professional relationships, arguing that a giving mindset can lead to greater success and fulfillment in life.
Becoming Supernatural: How Common People are Doing the Uncommon by Joe Dispenza
“Becoming Supernatural: How Common People are Doing the Uncommon” by Joe Dispenza explores the intersection of science and spirituality, offering insights and practices for tapping into the power of the mind to transform one’s life and achieve extraordinary results.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a powerful essay adapted from Adichie’s TEDx talk, advocating for gender equality and challenging societal norms and stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination against women.
“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu is a timeless classic on strategy and warfare, offering insights into the principles of conflict resolution, leadership, and tactical planning that are applicable not only on the battlefield but also in business and everyday life.
Think Like A Freak by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt
“Think Like A Freak” by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt encourages readers to adopt a fresh perspective and embrace unconventional thinking, offering entertaining anecdotes and practical strategies for solving problems and making better decisions.
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
“The Art of Happiness” by Dalai Lama offers timeless wisdom and practical advice for cultivating happiness and inner peace, drawing on Buddhist teachings and modern psychology to guide readers on the path to a more fulfilling life.
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
“Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” by Brian Tracy presents practical techniques for overcoming procrastination and increasing productivity, emphasizing the importance of tackling the most challenging tasks first.
“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams” by Deepak Chopra offers spiritual principles for achieving success and fulfillment in life, guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
“How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” by Dale Carnegie provides practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety, offering timeless advice for living a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Make Your Bed: Small Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World by William H. McRaven
“Make Your Bed: Small Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World” by William H. McRaven shares life lessons learned from Navy SEAL training, emphasizing the importance of discipline, resilience, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
“The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy explores the power of the subconscious mind and its influence on our thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes in life, offering techniques for harnessing this power to achieve success and happiness.
“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne introduces the law of attraction, claiming that positive thinking and visualization can lead to success and fulfillment in all aspects of life.
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
“As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen explores the power of thoughts and their role in shaping our lives, advocating for the cultivation of positive thinking and the development of a strong and virtuous character.
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay offers insights into the mind-body connection and the power of positive thinking in healing physical and emotional ailments, providing affirmations and exercises for personal transformation.
An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
“An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth” by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is the autobiography of the influential leader, offering a firsthand account of his life, philosophy, and struggle for Indian independence through nonviolent resistance.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves introduces the concept of emotional intelligence and offers practical strategies for developing this crucial skill for personal and professional success.
“Becoming” by Michelle Obama is the memoir of the former First Lady of the United States, offering insights into her life, experiences, and journey to becoming a powerful advocate for women and girls around the world.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
“The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale explores the transformative power of optimism and faith, offering practical advice and inspirational stories to help readers overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
“12 Rules for Life” by Jordan B. Peterson presents twelve principles for living a meaningful and fulfilling life, drawing on psychology, philosophy, and mythology to offer practical guidance for personal growth and self-improvement.
Elon Musk – Tesla, SpaceX & the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance
“Elon Musk – Tesla, SpaceX & the Quest for a Fantastic Future” by Ashlee Vance is a captivating biography that chronicles the life of visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk. Through interviews and research, Vance highlights Musk’s journey from South Africa to becoming the CEO of groundbreaking companies like SpaceX and Tesla Motors.
Conclusion
In a nutshell!
Diving into the world of non-fiction can be an exhilarating journey filled with insights, knowledge, and wisdom waiting to be discovered. From understanding the universe’s mysteries to unraveling the complexities of human behavior, the 50 best non-fictions of all time listed here offer a diverse range of topics to explore.
Whether you’re interested in history, science, self-improvement, or simply curious about the world around you, there’s a book on this list for everyone. These books serve as invaluable guides, providing us with the tools and perspectives needed to navigate life’s challenges and pursue personal growth.
And if you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of your to-be-read pile, fear not! With resources like Wizdom, you can embark on an intellectual adventure without feeling bogged down. By consuming key insights from these non-fiction masterpieces in bite-sized chunks, you can absorb unlimited knowledge and wisdom in just a short amount of time.
Which of these best non-fictions of all time are you adding to your to-be-read list?
