20 Best Politics Books of All

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Recommendations by Tony Robbins, Varun Dhawan,

Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and 395 others

1 The Madness of Crowds

Gender, Race and Identity
Douglas Murray (You?)
2021
4.57

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERUpdated with

a new afterword'Douglas Murray fights the good
fight for freedom of speech ... A truthful look at
today's most divisive issues' – Jordan B.
Peterson'An excellent take on the lunacy affecting
much of the world today. Douglas is one of the
bright lights that could lead us out of the
darkness.' – Joe RoganAre we living through the
great derangement of our times?In The Madness
of Crowds Douglas Murray investigates the
dangers of 'woke' culture and the rise of identity
politics.  ...more

Recommended by Johnny Ward, Peter Boghossian,

Eddie Pepperell and 3 others

Johnny Ward
Just cycled from the Malaysian border to Bangkok
while in Thailand during COVID.
@DouglasKMurray’s Madness of Crowds on
Audible was an amazing companion for 2 of the 7
days.
A brilliant book, and a necessary read during
unprecedented madness in our modern world.
Read it!  – from Twitter
Eddie Pepperell
Genuinely frustrated this morning. So I’m going to
recommend a book; The Madness of Crowds by
Douglas Murray. He does a great job of explaining
some of the utter shithousery we see today  – from
Twitter
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See also: Activism, Social Activism

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2 Why We're Polarized

Ezra Klein (You?)
2021
4.55

This New York Times and Wall Street Journal

bestseller shows us that America’s political
system isn’t broken. The truth is scarier: it’s
working exactly as designed. In this “superbly
researched” (The Washington Post) and timely
book, journalist Ezra Klein reveals how that
system is polarizing us—and how we are
polarizing it—with disastrous results. “The
American political system—which includes
everyone from voters to journalists to the
president—is full of rational actors making rational
decisions given the incentives they face,” writes
political analyst Ezra Klein.  ...more

Recommended by Ben Dreyfuss, Mmusi Maimane,

Erik Solheim and 3 others

Ben Dreyfuss
It is 4am so obviously not a great time to promote
someone’s book but I just finished reading
@ezraklein’s new book and it is very smart and
good. He has a chapter on how social media has
contributed to polarization that is one of the best
things I’ve read on the subject  – from Twitter
Mmusi Maimane
This is an excellent book to read, in understanding
why society is polarized. @ezraklein delivers a
poignant analysis of US politics with some great
insights for SA. I’d recommend it also for our
journalists and the role of the media in our
democracy. Enjoying it  – from Twitter
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See also: Political Parties, Political Corruption, Political

Psychology

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3 Bundle
Texas Politics Today 2017-2018
Edition, Loose-Leaf Version,18th
+ MindTap Political Science, 1
term Printed Access Card
Mark Jones, William Earl Maxwell,
Ernest Crain, Morhea Lynn Davis
(You?)
2017
4.54

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cutter into cutting edge, apathy into engagement,
and memorizers into higher-level thinkers. ...more

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See also: Political Science

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4 The Fifth Risk

Michael Lewis (You?)
2018
4.54

New York Times Bestseller What are the

consequences if the people given control over our
government have no idea how it works?"The
election happened," remembers Elizabeth
Sherwood-Randall, then deputy secretary of the
Department of Energy. "And then there was radio
silence." Across all departments, similar stories
were playing out: Trump appointees were few
and far between; those that did show up were
shockingly uninformed about the functions of their
new workplace. Some even threw away the
briefing books that had been prepared for
them. ...more

Recommended by Elizabeth Spiers, Don Moynihan,

Ed Miliband and 1 other

Ed Miliband
In reply to Cheerful: Very happy to talk this week
on #CheerfulBookClub to the brilliant Michael
Lewis about his long-standing interest in markets
that fail from baseball to Wall Street, as well as his
new book on Donald Trump and why it’s a defence
of public service. Listen below  – from Twitter
Elizabeth Spiers
In reply to @espiers: Also, @justinamash, you
might find this book interesting on that point--
especially considering that the author is not exactly
a big government advocate: The Fifth Risk  – from
Twitter
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See also: Government, Political Corruption

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5 48 Laws of Power
Robert and Joost Elffers Greene
(You?) 4.54

Laws of Power is a practical, readable guide for

anyone who wants power, watches power, or
want to arm themselves against power. Written
by Robert Greene and produced and designed by
Joost Elffers, the renowned packager of The
Secret Language of Birthdays, The 48 Laws of
Power will be known as the essential--and
controversial--guide to modern manipulation. In a
bold and elegant two-color package, The 48
Laws of Power synthesizes the philosophies of
Machiavelli, Suntzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz,
with the historical legacies of statesmen, warriors,
seducers, and con men throughout the ages.
 ...more

Recommended by Robert Mathis Qbh8r,

Sarina Valentina, Nft God and 1 other

Robert Mathis Qbh8r

In reply to 48 Laws Of Power: This book is
awesome to be informed on how business men
and women move but I simply don’t like this rule  –
from Twitter
Sarina Valentina
In reply to @pariahtwain: @RobertGreene This is a
great book!  – from Twitter
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See also: Communism, Social Activism

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6 The Anarchy
The East India Company,
Corporate Violence, and the
Pillage of an Empire
William Dalrymple (You?)
2019
4.53

Finalist for the Cundill History PrizeONE OF

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE
BOOKS OF THE YEARNAMED A BEST BOOK OF
THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal and
NPR“Superb … A vivid and richly detailed story …
worth reading by everyone.” ―The New York
Times Book ReviewFrom the bestselling author of
Return of a King, the story of how the East India
Company took over large swaths of Asia, and the
devastating results of the corporation running a
country.In August 1765, the East India Company
defeated the young Mughal emperor and set up,
in his place, a government run by English traders
who collected taxes through means of a private
army. ...more

Recommended by , Eoin Higgins, Ken Juster and 7 others

Andrew Adonis
Anyone who thinks there’s much good to say about
the British Empire should read @DalrympleWill’s
brilliant book on the East India Company. A long
tale of plunder, extortion, war & murder
Maybe the ‘dominions’ are different, but not for
indigenous peoples of Australia & N Zealand  –
from Twitter
Ken Juster
Great to welcome renowned author
@DalrympleWill to #RooseveltHouse. Excellent
discussion with this warm and thoughtful writer
about his new book “The Anarchy,” which
broadens our understanding of India’s complex
history. #CulturalDiplomacy  – from Twitter
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See also: Colonialism, The Cold War, India History

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7 Winners Take All

The Elite Charade of Changing
the World
Anand Giridharadas (You?)
2019
4.52

The New York Times bestselling, groundbreaking

investigation of how the global elite's efforts to
"change the world" preserve the status quo and
obscure their role in causing the problems they
later seek to solve. An essential read for
understanding some of the egregious abuses of
power that dominate today’s news.Anand
Giridharadas takes us into the inner sanctums of a
new gilded age, where the rich and powerful fight
for equality and justice any way they can—except
ways that threaten the social order and their
position atop it.  ...more

Recommended by Tim O'Reilly, Brian Schatz,

Matt Vaccine Farah and 2 others

Bradley Whitford
In reply to The Daily Show: @AnandWrites is
hypnotically articulate and undeniably correct.
Listen to this. @winnerstakeall is a book you need
to read. It changed the way I think about economic
inequality and what we need to do about it. Must
read  – from Twitter
Matt Vaccine Farah
In reply to Ben Snyder: This is super interesting
stuff - I just finished @AnandWrites INCREDIBLE
book "Winners Take All" which goes into great
detail about the trash economy that is "saving the
world - for profit"  – from Twitter
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See also: Democracy, Capitalism, Philanthropy, Income

Inequality, International Relations

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8 21 Lessons for the 21st

Century
Yuval Noah Harari (You?)
2018
4.51

 ...more

Recommended by Scott Monty, Eh Bee Family,

Michaela Coel and 7 others

Scott Monty
@Harari_Yuval's book covers essential and urgent
topics that will shape our present and near future,
including nationalism, religion, immigration, artificial
intelligence, and even the nature of truth.
Fascinating read  – from Twitter
Eh Bee Family
In reply to @harari_yuval: This book is amazing.
After every chapter...I pause...then freak out...then
gather myself and keep reading  – from Twitter
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See also: Activism, Radicalism, Business Biography

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9 Savarkar
Vikram Sampath (You?)
2019
4.49

As the intellectual fountainhead of the ideology of

Hindutva, which is in political ascendancy in India
today, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is undoubtedly
one of the most contentious political thinkers and
leaders of the twentieth century. Accounts of his
eventful and stormy life have oscillated from
eulogizing hagiographies to disparaging
demonization. The truth, as always, lies
somewhere in between and has unfortunately
never been brought to light. Savarkar and his
ideology stood as one of the strongest and most
virulent opponents of Gandhi, his pacifist
philosophy and the Indian National
Congress. ...more

Recommended by Narendra Modi, Bibek Debroy and

Amit Paranjape

Narendra Modi
This morning in Bengaluru I met the bright
@vikramsampath. I am glad that he has devoted
significant time and research towards studying
Veer Savarkar.
His book adds fresh dimensions towards
understanding the life and thoughts of the great
Savarkar  – from Twitter
Bibek Debroy
@vikramsampath. What a fantastic book on
Savarkar!! Eagerly waiting for the next volume. A
template for writing biographies. Please do not fail
to read this. Penguin /Viking  – from Twitter
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See also: Political History, Political Biography

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10 Iraq
Federal Research Study and
Country Profile with
Comprehensive Information,
History, and Analysis - Politics,
Economy, Military, Saddam
Hussein
U.S. Government, Library of
Congress
(You?)
2017
4.48

Comprehensive and unique information with

professional analysis of Iraq, politics and history,
economic, social, military, and national security
systems and institutions, written by the experts at
the Federal Research Division of the Library of
Congress. This Country Study and Country Profile
is an exceptional review of Iraq and its history.
Books in the Country Studies series describe and
analyze "political, economic, social, and national
security systems and institutions, and examin[e]
the interrelationships of those systems and the
ways they are shaped by cultural factors.  ...more

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11 The MAGA Doctrine

The Only Ideas That Will Win
the Future
Charlie Kirk (You?)
2020
4.48

 ...more

Recommended by Donald J. Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle,

Jt Lewis and 3 others

Kimberly Guilfoyle
In reply to Charlie Kirk: Can’t wait to read this.
@charliekirk11 is one of the most brilliant
conservatives of his generation & he is leading
a movement that is engaging young people in the
political process. Everyone has something they can
learn from Charlie!
Pick up a copy of his new book today!  – from
Twitter
Donald J. Trump
Watch Mark Levin interview of Charlie Kirk tonight
at 11:00 P.M. on @FoxNews. Amazing!!! And, while
you’re at it, go get Charlie’s new book, “The MAGA
Doctrine: The Only Ideas That Will Win the
Future”...This is a really GREAT book. Support
Charlie Kirk!  – from Twitter
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See also: Elections, Government, Political Parties, Political

Activism, Political Campaigns

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12 American Crusade
Our Fight to Stay Free
Pete Hegseth (You?)
2020
4.47

 ...more

Recommended by Joe Pags Pagliarulo, Dan Bongino,

Donald J. Trump and 2 others

Donald J. Trump
A fantastic new book, “American Crusade” written
by a Great American Patriot, @PeteHegseth — is
available tomorrow! Hear more about it as he joins
@SeanHannity tonight at 9:00pmE and
@foxandfriends tomorrow morning at 8:30amE.
Get your copy today!  – from Twitter
Joe Pags Pagliarulo
Great chat with @PeteHegseth from
@foxandfriends weekend about his new book
American Crusade: Our Fight To Stay Free. Get it
here
Watch the interview at 7:30pm Eastern or listen on
your favorite station or  – from Twitter
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See also: Democracy, Political Corruption

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13 How to Fight Anti-

Semitism
Bari Weiss (You?)
2019
4.47

The prescient former New York Times writer

delivers an urgent wake-up call to all Americans
exposing the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in this
country—and explains what we can do to defeat
it. WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK
AWARD • “Stunning . . . Bari Weiss is heroic,
fearless, brilliant and big-hearted. Most
importantly, she is right.”—Lisa Taddeo, #1 New
York Times bestselling author of Three
Women On October 27, 2018, eleven Jews were
gunned down as they prayed at their synagogue
in Pittsburgh. It was the deadliest attack on Jews
in American history.    ...more

Recommended by Jonathan Greenblatt, Caitlin Flanagan,

David Shaywitz and 1 other

Jonathan Greenblatt
.@bariweiss' book is a passionate call to action
& a must-read for people of all ages,
backgrounds & political affiliations. This deeply
personal journey starts in her hometown,
Pittsburgh & ends with what people must do
to stop the surge of #antiSemitism  – from Twitter
Caitlin Flanagan
In reply to Bari Weiss: In the nick of time.
Great book  – from Twitter
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See also: Racism, Activism, Discrimination

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14 Why Nations Fail

The Origins of Power, Prosperity,
and Poverty
Daron Acemoglu, James A.
Robinson
(You?)
2013
4.46

Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail

answers the question that has stumped the
experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich
and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty,
health and sickness, food and famine? Is it culture,
the weather, geography? Perhaps ignorance of
what the right policies are? Simply, no. None of
these factors is either definitive or destiny.
Otherwise, how to explain why Botswana has
become one of the fastest growing countries in
the world, while other African nations, such as
Zimbabwe, the Congo, and Sierra Leone, are
mired in poverty and violence?  ...more

Recommended by Mark Zuckerberg, Omoyele Sowore,

Trevor Ncube and 4 others

Omoyele Sowore
In reply to Adisa: I recommend this book, it is
difficult to read at the beginning but as you dig in, it
becomes an amazing revolutionary book!
#Revolutionnow  – from Twitter
Trevor Ncube
In reply to @chapendamat1: Why Nations Fail is
an amazing book. Enjoy  – from Twitter
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See also: Economy, Poverty, Economic Policy, Economic

Development

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15 Twilight of Democracy
The Seductive Lure of
Authoritarianism
Anne Applebaum (You?)
2021
4.45

 ...more

Recommended by Roger Bennett, Benjamin Wittes and

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

A great review of the great @anneapplebaum's
forthcoming book on the authoritarian mind in the
21st Century via @aminterest  – from Twitter
Benjamin Wittes
In reply to Lawfare: You should read
@anneapplebaum’s remarkable new book, The
Twilight of Democracy. It’s very short and very rich 
– from Twitter
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See also: Democracy, Democratic Party, Political Parties

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16 The Road to Unfreedom

Russia, Europe, America
Timothy Snyder (You?)
2019
4.44

 ...more

Recommended by Paula Poundstone,

Raffi Cavoukian and
Jen Stirrup Leadership Womenintech Diversity

Paula Poundstone
Every American should read, or listen to the audio
book THE ROAD TO UNFREEDOM, by Timothy
Snyder--get it this week. Read it, or listen to it as
soon as you get it. I knew some things in it, but I
knew very little about Putin's desires, and his
success. We must wake up  – from Twitter
Raffi Cavoukian
another @TimothyDSnyder book.. in my recent
history readings for context on the current crisis in
Ukraine. with maps of Europe and the USSR.
fascinating. #SlavaUkraini   – from Twitter
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