I Love To "Read" Audiobooks Part II

As promised here is the list of my favorite non-fiction books that I “read” on audio-book. I’m sure most of you couldn’t wait to see this list so for those few who are not that interested in what I’m listening to on my iPod, sorry.

I don’t know why but I enjoy non-fiction more than fiction. I think it was after returning from my mission that my reading interests evolved. So, with that said please enjoy this fascinating entry and prepare yourself for my least favorite next time.

A Long Way Gone, Ishmail Beah: These are the deeply disturbing, violent memoirs of an African boy who was recruited as a teenager to fight in his country’s civil war in West Africa. Were about the same age and I find it incredible that he was slitting the throats of enemy combatants while I was trying to see how far I could jump my bike.

A Treasury of Royal Scandals, A Treasury of Great American Scandals, Michael Farquhar: This is a “two-for-one” selection. The first book makes me glad I’m an American and that we rid ourselves of Royal families a long time ago. The second is a fascinating look at our own American embarrassing moments. My favorite: a chapter of direct quotes from Richard Nixon and I gotta tell you, it’s some pretty shocking stuff.

An Innocent Man, John Grisham: This is his first non-fiction work and is a direct contribution to my opposition of the death penalty. These two men were convicted of murder; one of them was sentenced to death. Thankfully he was not executed because guess what? He didn’t do it…yep, he didn’t do it and indisputable DNA evidence exonerated him. Just a hunch, but I’m willing to bet innocent men have been executed, is blood for blood really worth it when we might have got the wrong guy?


Black Boy (American Hunger), Richard Wright: I remember seeing those signs men would carry during the Civil Rights Movement that read, “I Am A Man,” and I’ll be honest, I didn’t get it until I read this book and heard from a black man during this time about the way they were denigrated, humiliated, and ridiculed. I get it now.

Born Standing Up, Steve Martin: Some of the best memoirs I’ve heard. His career has been fascinating and it was interesting to see how his act evolved from a small show to stadiums with tens of thousands of fans. Not your typical comedian and his humor is so dry and original, great stuff.

Conservatives Without Conscience, John Dean: This man spent 18 months in prison for lying on behalf of Nixon so he knows a thing or two about American conservatism. For example, did you know there have been academic studies that examine your typical American conservative? Big surprise, they are often uneducated, have a higher level of fear and paranoia, and remarkably thin skin (in other words brain donors like Hannity, Limbaugh, and O’Reilly can insult like no other but if the table is turned they are real babies).

Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser: It’s not just about the meat (although 86% of all beef test positive for fecal molecules). Fast food has directly contributed to American problems such as obesity, illegal immigration, crime, decline in the standard of living, the eradication of family farms, and violence. This is a very well-rounded look at a very serious problem…unless you want the USA to be one big, happy corporation.

Freakonomics, Steven Leavitt: Boy, the things we learn in this book. For example, did the legalization of abortion lead to a decrease in crime? Which is more dangerous, swimming pools or guns? And does giving your kid a name you made up actually hurt their career? My favorite part: 7 million American children disappeared overnight. Why? Because the IRS began requiring social security numbers for all children claimed on tax returns.

Guns of August, Barbara Tuchman: Best book on World War I. Man, that war changed everything for everyone and contributed to the way the world is today. So many people died. Sure, we love to give the French a hard time saying they are wimps, etc. but guess what? They lost over 1,000,000 men between the ages of 17 to 31 during that war and we wonder why they had no military come World War II.

In Cold Blood, Truman Capote: I like this book for two reasons. First, it is credited as being the first non-fiction novel, a literary genre I really enjoy. Second, I find it so fascinating that a flamboyant homosexual who loved formal parties and wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s authored this dark, violent, and depressing book.

Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer: At times I really identified with this confused and ultimately doomed young man. But then there were other times when his ideas and actions were madding and not so bright. However, after finishing this book I headed to the lake and spent the day wandering and thinking with my dogs, it is that inspiring.

Marley and Me, John Grogan: The story of a family and their dog so you know how it will end. If you have ever owned a dog you will identify with this book at some point or another. It literally will make you laugh and will make you cry. In Heidi’s case she cried, and cried, and cried, and cried…

Nothing Like It in the World, Stephen Ambrose: The completion of the transcontinental railroad divided the nation in half and it will never go back. Buffalo herds and Native American tribes were forced to stay north or south. Plus I find the lives of the builders fascinating, made up of very different peoples including Irish immigrants, former African slaves, Chinamen, and Mormons.

Our Endangered Values, Jimmy Carter: Sure he wasn’t a very successful president (my guess is he was too nice) but I deeply admire Jimmy Carter. He is talented in so many ways and has really tried to make the world more peaceful and fight some of the most horrendous diseases that curse some of the most unfortunate people. If I’m ever in southern Georgia on a Sunday I’m going to his Sunday School class.

Politics Lost, Joe Klein: I never cared about politics until I “read” this book whose subtitle is “Why Politicians Think Your Stupid.” There was something about this readable book that sucked me into the despicable world of politics but I feel like a more responsible American as a result.

Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin: Who doesn’t enjoy a book about Abraham Lincoln? He is one of those universally admired people. Plus, Heidi and I were at an interview with a General Authority and he brought up this book. I felt pretty smart when I said I had read the text but failed to mention it was in audiobook form.

The Cases that Haunt Us, John Douglas: When Heidi and I were living in Baltimore we developed a morbid fascination with the writings of this former FBI psychological profiler. This book is his take on those historical mysteries that remain partially or entirely unsolved including Jack the Ripper, Lizzie Borden, the Black Dahlia among others.

The Nine, Jeffrey Toobin: As a whole Americans know little about the Supreme Court but they are more influential on the future of the United States than any president. I learned a lot about these odd, socially awkward eggheads, for example, who would have thought the nicest and friendliest Justice is Clarence Thomas?

The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman: Instant communication has made the world flat. For example, you call about any computer problems and you find yourself talking to an Indian half a world away. The world has changed so much in such a short time and this book is a brilliant take on the changes. Who would’ve thought if you called JetBlue Airlines 9 out of 10 times your talking to a housewife in Utah.

Walden, Henry David Thoreau: He went into the woods to prove that man can happily survive on their own and without luxury. Boy, I wish the world was more simple. But the point that really hit home was that Thoreau believed that the world was improving and savage habits such as the slaughtering and eating of animals would actually decrease, sadly he was wrong, very wrong.


BONUS BOOK: 1776, David McCullough: What an incredible and inspiring year! Seriously, it was almost as if there was divine intervention. One of my favorite moments: imagine the British waking up in Boston that cold morning and looking up at the nearby hills to see they were surrounded by Continental cannons and army, which had appeared overnight as if from thin air. You can’t make that stuff up!