Non-Fiction Worth Reading

One of the things that struck me about The Handmaid's Tale is that author Margaret Attwood, has said that much of the dystopian society was inspired by real life events around the world.  Depressing, but true.

But it also makes you realise that there are so many good non-fiction books out there.  Rather than recounting real life events in a chronological order, they move along like a good story - non-fiction narrative. Well-researched, rich in detail with complex characters and a sense of a story arc - it's a real art to get it right, whether it's a biography, a slice of history or a real life event. Interesting material alone is actually not enough. 

There are thousands of stories out there, but some of my non-fiction recommendations are below. Real life stories that have really stuck with me. 

Stasiland - by Anna Funder 

Funder was living in Berlin working at a radio station when she started to become fascinated by the history of the wall. The surveillance level in East Germany was extraordinary and people's lives were manipulated by secret services. But, after the wall came down - what happened to those that had spied on their neighbours? And what happened to ordinary people whose lives had been controlled? The answers are not straightforward.  I can't recommend this book enough. 

Murderland - by Caroline Fraser

In the 1970s and early 80s the Pacific North West was haunted by the terror of serial killer Ted Bundy. But he wasn't the only one. Writer Caroline Fraser, who grew up in the area, starts to investigate why there was this uptick in serial killers. The evidence seems to mount and the explanation she comes up with is fascinating. Great stuff, so thoroughly researched and well written. I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

Black Like Me - by John Howard Griffin

I stumbled on this book a few years ago and was amazed at the description.  John Howard Griffin, darkens his skin with pigmentation tablets and then sets off to see what life is like as a black man in the deep south of the US. This was in the 1960s. And, honestly, it's not great. 

Griffin thought this book, recounting his experiences would be of limited interest. He was wrong, people were fascinated by his experiences and it sold some 10 million copies and has become a bit of a modern classic. 

The Work I Did - by Brunhilde Pomsel

Pomsel was a secretary working for Goebbels, the German Minister of Propaganda, during WWII. She died some years ago but this book is based on interviews with her and translated, of course, from the German. It's surprising in its mundane nature. Pomsel talks about the day to day work, but really expresses no remorse in her role supporting Goebbels. Interesting to read an account from someone who was there and was doing a pretty regular job. 

Nancy Wake Biography - by Peter Fitzsimmons

Don't be put off by the pastel and sepia tones of the cover. This is a great read on the life of Nancy Wake who really was fearless in her resistance work during World War 2. Married  to a wealthy and glamorous Frenchman she is living in France when the German occupation takes place. She was young and seemingly quite frivolous, but actually incredibly brave and a real force to be reckoned with.  A wonderful book that left me thinking about bravery and character and the turns life can take. 

H Is For Hawk - by Helen Macdonald

I do love a good nature memoir and so I am probably a little biased here anyway. But I really enjoyed this account of the author's attempts to train a goshawk. When her father dies, she is struggling with grief and out of this returns to her childhood fascination with hawks and falconry.  Soon she buys a goshawk, Mabel, and starts to try and train her. This is beautifully written, full of insights and a recognition of the power of nature. Beautiful, thoughtful stuff.