Best Political Books

Discover the inspiring leadership techniques of one of America's greatest presidents with this bestselling and award-winning book. Team of Rivals is a thrilling narrative history that shows how Abraham Lincoln saved America by appointing his fiercest rival to key cabinet positions. This book was so impactful that it inspired Barack Obama during his presidency. Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of the most acclaimed non-fiction authors, presents a compelling portrait of Lincoln as a virtuosic politician and managerial genius.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Discover the story of how American democracy was hacked in Russian Roulette. This incredible account weaves together tales of cyber espionage, political intrique and superpower rivalry. It ultimately explains how a foreign government infiltrated the US political system and gained influence in Washington to help Donald Trump win the presidency. Find out about this sophisticated and sinister act of political espionage that changed the course of US history forever.

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.