Best Political Books

Discover the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power in this prophetic work on leadership. Written by an ousted political leader in 1512, The Prince is a disturbingly realistic guide for those seeking to rule - without being encumbered by ordinary ethical and moral values. From the qualities of successful presidents to the art of manipulation, this small sixteenth-century masterpiece has been essential reading for every student of government and is the ultimate book on power politics.

Delve into the 1972 election campaign of President Richard M. Nixon with these hilarious, terrifying, and insightful articles written by Hunter S. Thompson for Rolling Stone magazine. Covering the Democratic Party's primaries and the breakdown of the national party, Thompson's drug-addled alacrity and incisive wit provide a gonzo perspective that is eerily prophetic. Get ready for a compulsively readable ride through the race for the presidency.

Explore the roots of moral judgments and human cooperation in this groundbreaking book. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt challenges conventional thinking about morality, politics, and religion, showing how gut feelings, not reason, drive our moral beliefs. Discover why liberals, conservatives, and libertarians have such different intuitions about right and wrong, and why each side is right about significant issues. The Righteous Mind is a must-read for anyone looking to trade in anger for understanding and gain a deeper insight into our eternal divisions and conflicts.

This timeless dialogue features Socrates engaging in conversations with three different people about a perfect community and ideal individual. Explore notions of goodness, reality, and knowledge, while pondering the role of education and guardianship. With deft use of allegory, the author presents a portrait of a harmonious state ruled by philosopher kings.

Explore the power of female anger and its ability to transform into a political movement with this vital and incisive book. From the author of the bestselling All the Single Ladies, dive into the long history of women's anger in America and the cultural significance behind it. Discover how anger has played a catalytic, yet problematic, role in women's slow rise to political power and the difference in perception when it comes from women versus men. A must-read for anyone passionate about women's rights and social change.

An electrifying work of investigative journalism, Dark Money delves into the history of a wealthy group of right-wing ideologues intent on altering the American political system to benefit themselves. With exclusive interviews and extensive research, Jane Mayer uncovers a staggering conglomeration of think tanks, media groups, and government allies under their influence. This essential book provides vivid portraits of the figures behind the new American oligarchy and a searing look at their carefully concealed agendas. A finalist for multiple prestigious awards, including the National Book Critics Circle and LA Times Book Prize.

This inspiring memoir tells the story of Pete Buttigieg, the visionary mayor of South Bend, Indiana who transformed a "dying city" into a shining model of urban reinvention. Interweaving two narratives of his personal and political journey, Buttigieg recounts growing up in a Rust Belt city, studying at Harvard and Oxford, and returning to Indiana to revive a once-great industrial city. With gripping stories of confronting gun violence and attracting tech companies to the city, while also coming out and finding love in a conservative state, Shortest Way Home challenges our perception of American politicians and provides a new vision for America's future.

This timely book delves into the history of voter suppression in America, specifically since the 2013 Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965. From ID requirements to gerrymandering, Anderson explains the insidious ways in which government-dictated racial discrimination is still prevalent today, despite increased resistance from organizers, activists, and court battles. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the basic right to vote and the fight to restore it to all Americans.

This groundbreaking book has had a massive impact on the criminal justice reform movement. Written by Michelle Alexander, it argues that America has simply redesigned racial caste instead of ending it. With citations in judicial decisions, adoption in community-wide reads, and the inspiration for the creation of the Marshall Project and the Art for Justice Fund, this book has won prestigious prizes and spent over 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. A new 10th-anniversary edition includes a preface by the author discussing the book's impact and the state of criminal justice reform today.