Best Political Books – 9 Top Picks For Learning About Politics

To better understand the power relations going on around you, reading about politics is a great place to start. No matter your age, occupation, or state of residence, reading up on politics will help you become more educated and aware of your leaders, public policies, and community guidelines. That’s why we’ve gathered up the best political books that you can learn from.

Best Political Books

Political culture is deeply embedded in society, making it crucial that you understand the culture surrounding you. Further, society is shaped by the public policies implemented by the government. To better understand prominent political figures, public policies, and political parties, below are the top 9 books on politics. 

1. What You Should Know About Politics… But Don’t by Jessamyn Conrad

In What You Should Know About Politics, Jessamyn Conrad explains all sides of each important American issue of the modern age. If you’re looking for a comprehensive and educational guide on modern-day politics, this is the book for you. From health care to climate change, this book will inform you of all of the most pressing issues of our time.

In this, you won’t just learn about each issue, but why each opinion about them exists. Through this, you’ll be able to form more educated and informed opinions moving forward. No matter your political stance, this book is a highly valuable information-filled source to get started learning more about politics. 

2. The Populist Explosion by John Judis

The Populist Explosion is all about how the great recession transformed American and European politics. It isn’t enough to just understand which policies stand today. To gain an in-depth understanding of politics, you must learn the history behind the system as well. In this, Judis explains why it’s important to understand the history of the US populist movement.

In this fact-based discussion, you’ll learn how populism, the support for concerns of ordinary people, has endured on both ends of the political spectrum and still stands strong today. 

3. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

In this #1 New York Times best-seller, you’ll learn how Alexander Hamilton overcame all odds to shape newborn America. Not only is this an informative guide, but a compelling biography that makes it easy to indulge in historical happenings. Even if you aren’t a Hamilton fan, understanding the vision of the founding fathers is crucial to understanding the nation today.

Not only will you understand the visions of the founding fathers, but their exact intentions behind each development that still stands. More often than many estimate, history holds a large impact on modern politics. For those wondering how our government became the way that it is today, this is the book that will illuminate your mind.

4. Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State by Andrew Gelman

In this popular novel, Andrew Gelman explains why Americans vote the way they do. On top of his statistics and individual stories, Gelman includes easy-to-read graphics that outline the 2008 election and other telling events. According to Gelman, we are a divided nation. Not just by conservative and liberal, but by rich and poor.

This book strives to debunk the long-held stereotypes attributed to each side of the spectrum. With hard data including polling numbers, you’ll gain a more holistic view of how each political side operates, and why.

5. Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson

Why Nations Fail explains the origins of power, prosperity, and poverty. No matter your background, understanding the identities that surround you is crucial to understanding the functionalities within politics. Some nations are successful while others fall apart due to war or famine.

If you’ve wondered why some nations thrive while others fall apart, Acemoglu and Robinson are here to explain. Based on their combined 15 years of research, this book is effective in examining the economics and politics of countries all over the world, and how these policies either result in failure or success. Not only is this book great for citizens, but prospective leaders as well. 

6. The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin 

The Nine goes inside the secret world of the supreme court. In this New York Times best-seller, you’ll gain insight on the judicial branch and all of its secrets. Although this is nonfiction, many have claimed its compelling stories to read like creative fiction all the way through. 

Both informative and fascinating, this is the perfect book for anyone looking to understand both the judicial brand and politics as a whole. 

7. The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir by John Bolton

As President Trump’s National Security Advisor, John Bolton spent 453 days in the room where it happened. In this interesting memoir and comprehensive account of the Trump Administration, you’ll find out what interested John Bolton most, and which personal stories he finds to be most pressing. 

In this, Bolton explains Trump’s passion for being re-elected and the details on foreign policy. According to Bolton, Trump’s decisions are exactly what led the US on its current path. If you’re looking for a witty, personal account of someone in the room where it happened, this is the book for you. 

8. 1984 by George Orwell

In this timeless classic, Orwell provides a chilling prophecy about the future of a dystopian government. In his vision, this unjust government will do anything to control the narrative of its people. Later on, he goes into concepts such as propaganda instilled by the government, surveillance, and perversions of truth. 

Although this is a work of fiction, its imaginary world remains just as convincing from start to finish. In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to discuss authoritarian politics without mentioning 1984. 

9. A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

To understand the history of America and its hope for the future, this book has been named a #1 source by many. In this best-selling novel, Zinn throws out the narrative taught by schools and shifts from great men in high places to people on the street, at home, and in the workplace. Known for its clear prose and scholarly research, this book tells America’s story from the point of view of the working poor, African Americans, and women. 

As it turns out, some of America’s greatest battles, such as an eight-hour workday and new safety standards, were carried out against bloody resistance. 

Reading To Learn About Politics

Ultimately, to understand the state of the nation as it stands today, reading about politics is necessary. Furthermore, to develop a timely and fact-based stance on the state of the nation, learning about each party and their history is a great place to start. By reading the books above, you’ll gain insight on significant historical events, the modern leaders of America, and how each development in the nation took place.