These are my Top 10 Non-Fiction books about the United States, they have helped me to understand more about the place, and more importantly, its people.

I would love to know your opinion about this list and these books, along with any recommendations you have, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

1. The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration  by Isabel Wilkerson

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson is a powerful and deeply moving account of the mass migration of African Americans from the South to the North and West of the United States between 1915 and 1970. Through the personal stories of three individuals, Wilkerson brings this historical period to life, exploring the challenges, hopes, and triumphs of those who sought freedom and opportunity. Blending meticulous research with compelling narrative, the book sheds light on how this migration reshaped America and its culture.

2. The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris 

The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris is a memoir that shares her journey from growing up as the daughter of immigrants to becoming a U.S. Senator and a prominent political leader. Harris reflects on the values, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped her life and career. She discusses her work as a prosecutor, her commitment to justice, and her vision for a more inclusive and equitable America. The book offers insights into her personal experiences and the principles that guide her approach to leadership.

3. What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

"What Happened" by Hillary Clinton is a memoir in which she reflects on her 2016 presidential campaign and the surprising loss to Donald Trump. In the book, she candidly explores the challenges she faced, including personal missteps, political dynamics, and external factors like Russian interference and media bias. It provides her perspective on the election and her journey as the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.

4. A Promised Land by Barack Obama

A Promised Land by Barack Obama is a memoir by the 44th President of the United States. The book covers his early political career, his historic 2008 presidential campaign, and his first term in office. Obama reflects on pivotal moments, such as passing the Affordable Care Act and responding to the 2008 financial crisis. Written in a thoughtful and personal style, the memoir offers insight into his leadership, challenges, and the values that shaped his presidency. It’s an inspiring and detailed account of his journey to the White House and the responsibilities of being a leader.

5. HILLBILLY ELEGY  by J.D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance is a memoir that explores the challenges of growing up in a working-class, Appalachian family. Vance shares his personal story of overcoming poverty, instability, and family struggles, offering insight into the cultural and economic issues faced by America’s white working-class. Through his experiences, he examines the deep-rooted challenges of generational poverty and the resilience it takes to break free from its cycle. The book provides a candid look at both personal and societal struggles, sparking discussions about class, culture, and opportunity in modern America.

6. Educated  by Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover is a powerful memoir about growing up in a strict and isolated family in rural Idaho. With no formal education, Tara spent her childhood working in her father’s junkyard and following her family’s survivalist beliefs. Despite these challenges, she taught herself enough to attend college, eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The book explores themes of family loyalty, self-discovery, and the transformative power of education, offering an inspiring story of resilience and personal growth.

7. The Good Immigrant USA by Nikesh Shukla and Chimene Suleyman

The Good Immigrant USA: 26 Writers on America, Immigration and Home is a powerful collection edited by Nikesh Shukla and Chimene Suleyman, featuring personal essays from 26 diverse writers. Each essay explores the complexities of immigration, identity, and the feeling of belonging in America. The writers share their experiences of being immigrants or children of immigrants, addressing issues such as race, citizenship, and the search for home in a country that often feels divided. The book offers a compelling and insightful perspective on what it means to navigate life in the United States as an outsider.

8. Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe 

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe is a compelling account of the Sackler family, whose wealth and influence were built on the controversial painkiller OxyContin. The book delves into their role in the opioid crisis, uncovering their aggressive marketing tactics and refusal to acknowledge the devastating impact of their actions. Combining meticulous research with gripping storytelling, Keefe explores the intersection of power, greed, and public health, offering a sobering look at corporate responsibility and the human cost of addiction.

9. Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup: The Story of Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos Scandal by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou tells the shocking true story of Elizabeth Holmes and her biotech company, Theranos. Holmes promised to revolutionise healthcare with a device that could run hundreds of medical tests using just a tiny drop of blood. However, the technology didn’t work as claimed, leading to a massive scandal that exposed fraud, deception, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Based on Carreyrou’s investigative reporting, this gripping book reveals how Theranos fooled investors, doctors, and patients while unraveling the rise and fall of one of Silicon Valley’s biggest frauds.

10. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson 

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson is an in-depth biography of the iconic Apple co-founder, chronicling his extraordinary life and groundbreaking contributions to technology. Based on over 40 interviews with Jobs himself and hundreds of conversations with family, friends, and colleagues, the book explores his complex personality, vision, and leadership style. Isaacson offers a balanced portrayal of Jobs as a visionary who revolutionised the technology industry, while also revealing his demanding and sometimes controversial behaviour. The biography provides a captivating look into the mind behind Apple’s success and the legacy he left behind.

These are two books that I plan to read, and are on my wishlist: 

Caste: The International Bestseller  by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson explores the hidden social hierarchy that shapes people's lives in the United States. Drawing parallels between the caste systems in India, Nazi Germany, and America, Wilkerson examines how these rigid systems of stratification impact individuals and societies. Through compelling storytelling and extensive research, the book reveals how caste, not just race, plays a central role in maintaining inequality and division. Caste challenges readers to rethink societal structures and consider how deeply embedded systems of oppression continue to affect modern life.