Top 10 non-fiction books to read before 30
I've noticed a lot of posts being shared of the top X books to read before turning Y. Most of those lists provided books that were aimed at helping people cope with impending life changes and included many fiction titles.
As someone getting close to 30, and as an avid reader of everything non-fiction and humanities related, I thought I would put together and share my own top 10 list.
It was tough to get the list down to 10 while ensuring variety across subject matter. But I think this makes a good list for anyone looking to get a well-rounded foot in the door when it comes to understanding the world we live in.
At the end of the day, what better way is there to prepare for change than by growing a healthy dose of understanding and cynicism to the world around us?
1. Education and the Social Order — Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell may be one of my favorite philosophers! He was fired from his teaching position for his views on morality (he thought masturbation was fine), decided to write a general book he aptly titled “A history of western philosophy” which catapulted him to fame (and financial stability). The rest, well you can look it up.
In this book, Russell presents a witty and easy to grasp critique on the process and aims of education. Every chapter in the book presents a relationship between education and a facet of life (politics, religion, sexuality etc.). This makes the book really easy to digest, and Russell’s snarkiness and discontent with the current trends are palpable and convincing.
2. Status Anxiety — Alain De Botton
I usually prefer the classics when it comes to social philosophy (if you haven't picked that up from the rest of my suggestions), but I received this book as a gift from a friend and am happy that I got the chance to read it knowing well that I wouldn't have bought it on my own.
For its length, I was surprised with the speed at which I was able to get through it. The book explores the causes and possible personal solutions to status anxiety: the social pressure attached to individual “performance” and the importance of social belonging.
For the breadth of topics covered, De Botton is skillful at weaving in and out of several theories. What really impressed me most about the book, and what I enjoyed the most, is the extent of referencing done to works by classical writers and philosophers, making Status Anxiety a formidable reflection on society as it stands.
3. A Room of One’s Own — Virginia Wolf
In this Essay, Wolf reflects on what it would take for a woman to become a successful writer.
Through that inquiry, Wolf reflects on the economic subjugation of women, the importance of education, and sexual liberty.
This short read is a good introduction to cornerstone ideas of feminism, and helps answer the question of why Wolf is the only female author featured on this list.
4. The Communist Manifesto — Karl Marx
This is a tiny book, honestly it’s not a book, it’s a manifesto, and it packs quite a punch for being under 50 pages!
Karl Marx is known as the father of Communism, and his Manifesto, written as a guide for The Communist League (at the time growing out of Paris, London, and Germany) gives a dense insight into what communism is all about.
Marx rightfully proclaims Communism as the most radical idea to come. An idea that breaks away from all historical continuity. The manifesto goes into three parts, the first defining key terms, the second into refuting counter-arguments against communism, and the third discussing why communism is different from other socialist movements.
A fair warning about this book, it might be difficult to understand the argument being made for Communism if you have no background knowledge on the tenants of the ideology, I recommend some research before hand.
5. For a New Liberty: The Libertarian Manifesto — Murray Rothbard
This book presents the polar opposite political standpoint from the Communist Manifesto. Rothbard builds a case for having a state with no government built on the sole principles of the free market.
Rothbard argues that by letting the free market fulfill its function under the rule of a “non-aggression axiom” a society can both, preserve its freedom as well as meet public needs (roads, schools, etc.). Welcome to the world of Anarcho-capitalism
6. Walden — Henry David Thoreau
Ever thought about living somewhere away from city life and people? Well, its not a new (or original) idea. Thoreau’s book, written as kind of a diary, reflects on his two years living in a cabin he built on his friends land near Walden pond in Massachusetts.
Through the book, Thoreau reflects on everything a person living in solitude and self-reliance would, from fishing to the meaning of life and the role of the state and taxes. A great look into what your life might look like once you finally make that decision to live off the grid!
7. Beyond Good and Evil — Friedrich Nietzsche
Nietzsche is known for being the most misrepresented philosopher of his time. His firebrand statement of “God is dead” along with his epic mustache have gained him infamy for being a dark brooding philosopher of anguish.
Although his life story is quite along those lines, his writing is all about empowering the individual so they may live the best life possible.
In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche attacks “old philosophers” on their prejudices and dogmatic approach to morality, tearing apart the perception that good exists in opposition of evil.
8. On Liberty — John Stuart Mill
What’s the role of the government and the individual, and how do we preserve liberty? these are the questions that John Stuart Mill set out to answer in this classic.
It’s an unapologetic book in defense of the individual and freedom of thought and opinion. This book will have you questioning how we could ensure that rights are preserved, that individuals are happy, and when it’s OK for the state and the society to interfere.
Expect reaaaaaaally long sentences which make this book slightly difficult to read!
9. Man, The State, and War — Kenneth Waltz
Waltz answers every pacifists question in this classic: Why do we go to war?
Waltz breaks down the answer into three sections: leaders, the expanses of an economy, and the lack of rules of engagement on the international level.
As opposed to all the other books in this list that deal with the individual or the state, this book is the only one on the list that deals exclusively with the interaction of nation-states on a global level.
10. A History of the World in a 100 Objects— Neil MacGregor
History is the basis of all the systems we brush up against today, without understanding how we as got here, it’s really difficult to understand why out of all the options we’ve ended up where we are.
In this book, Neil MacGregor, the curator of the British Museum, picks 100 objects from their collection and uses them to walk us through time using objects going as far back as 2 million years to more modern day things like the credit card.
Each object is given 5 pages, and each 5 objects are grouped to represent an epoch.
This is the longest book on this list, but don’t fret, it’s also available as a podcast which you can enjoy if the last 9 books have left you knackered!
Happy reading!
