A good storyteller can mine either fact or fiction and pull
a reader into another world. Nonfiction books that let readers forget they are
examining real lives and events can be among some of the most riveting reads.
In the case of historical stories, the facts of wars and human suffering border
on the unthinkable. But if you enjoy a gripping read that happens to be
factual, you will be very satisfied reading about slices of history or
historical figures.
Then there are nonfiction tales about more ordinary lives
and events, but their beauty lies in their ability to paint a portrait of
people dealing with the human condition just like the reader.
If you enjoy nonfiction stories that read as if they were
novels, you may want to consider these titles.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber
crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris
and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face
appeared--Lt. Louis Zamperini. He spent 47 days on a life raft. Captured by the
Japanese and driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer
desperation with ingenuity, suffering with hope, resolve and humor. Published
in 2010, Time magazine chose “Unbroken” as the Best Nonfiction Book of the
year, while Newsweek wrote this: “It
takes only a few pages of Unbroken, Hillenbrand’s marvelous account
of Zamperini’s adventures…to see why his story so captured her imagination—and
to see how well her seven years of work have paid off. Unbroken is
wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it’s told.”
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This stranger-than-fiction story details how the cells of a poor Southern woman suffering from cancer were taken from her without her knowledge. The cells from Henrietta Lacks became one of the most important tools in medicine as they’ve been growing in cultures since before she died more than 60 years ago. Her cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer and viruses; helped lead to in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks is buried in an unmarked grave. Her family did not learn of her "immortality" until more than 20 years after her death, when scientists began using her husband and children in research. The story of the Lacks family is connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over our bodies.
This stranger-than-fiction story details how the cells of a poor Southern woman suffering from cancer were taken from her without her knowledge. The cells from Henrietta Lacks became one of the most important tools in medicine as they’ve been growing in cultures since before she died more than 60 years ago. Her cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer and viruses; helped lead to in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks is buried in an unmarked grave. Her family did not learn of her "immortality" until more than 20 years after her death, when scientists began using her husband and children in research. The story of the Lacks family is connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over our bodies.
The Glass Castle, a Memoir by Jeannette Walls
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Later, when the money ran out, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town and family that Rex Walls had tried to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Later, when the money ran out, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town and family that Rex Walls had tried to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home. What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life. For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.
The Girls From Ames
by Jeffrey Zaslow
On a much lighter note, a male writer has captured the essence of a 40-year friendship among a group of women originally from Ames, Iowa. The women, although guarded at first, let Zaslow attend their reunions, study their scrapbooks and meet their families. What develops is a very relatable story about where life takes the women—to different colleges, parts of the country and lifestyles. The story examines how friendship triumphs over a host of challenges and how it multiplies the joys in life. If you happened to come of age in the ’80s, you will find yourself in the hairstyles and gym shorts you had long forgotten. And if the times aren’t familiar, the relationships will be.
On a much lighter note, a male writer has captured the essence of a 40-year friendship among a group of women originally from Ames, Iowa. The women, although guarded at first, let Zaslow attend their reunions, study their scrapbooks and meet their families. What develops is a very relatable story about where life takes the women—to different colleges, parts of the country and lifestyles. The story examines how friendship triumphs over a host of challenges and how it multiplies the joys in life. If you happened to come of age in the ’80s, you will find yourself in the hairstyles and gym shorts you had long forgotten. And if the times aren’t familiar, the relationships will be.
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