10 Best Nonfiction Books of All-Time

This is my list of the 10 best nonfiction books. These are the pillar books that have helped shape my thinking and approach to life. In my opinion, these are 10 nonfiction books everyone should read. They are listed here in no particular order.

When Breath Becomes Air

by Paul Kalanithi
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

by Yuval Noah Harari
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

by Jon Krakauer
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!

by Richard P. Feynman
Print | Audiobook

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

by Jared Diamond
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Manual for Living

by Epictetus
Print | Audiobook

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

by Robert Cialdini
Print | eBook

Meditations

by Marcus Aurelius
Print | eBook | Audiobook

A Brief History of Time

by Stephen Hawking
Print | Audiobook

The War of Art: Break Through Your Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

by Steven Pressfield
Print | Audiobook

This is Water

by David Foster Wallace
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Stillness is the Key

by Ryan Holiday
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Ultralearning

by Scott Young
Print | eBook | Audiobook

Best Nonfiction Books Recommendations

Looking for more good books to read? Click the links below to jump to a specific category.

  1. Best Art and Creativity Books
  2. Best Biographies and Memoirs
  3. Best Business Books
  4. Best Fitness Books
  5. Best History Books
  6. Best Philosophy Books
  7. Best Psychology Books
  8. Best Science Books
  9. Best Self-Help Books
  10. Best Writing Books

Or, browse all book recommendations.

Best Fiction Books Recommendations

Looking for more good books to read? Click the links below to jump to a specific category.

  1. Best Novels of All-Time
  2. Best Fantasy Books
  3. Best Mystery Books

Or, browse all book recommendations.

Book Summaries

For many of the nonfiction books I read, I publish my personal notes and write a three sentence summary of the main ideas in the book. You can read all of these notes on my book summaries page.