Non-fiction drama Books are one of the most written, most read, and most sold genres in the world of books. But when I say Drama, it is very obvious that you would be thinking about fictional stories. Are there drama novels in nonfiction? Definitely yes.
When you read a book that has a story happening, a little serious and narrative, then it’s called Drama. But Drama doesn’t always need to be fiction. There are hundreds of non-fiction books that come under the genre of Drama. Some of the best and must-read ones are as follows.
Let me start this list, and hopefully, at the end of this article, you’ll have a nonfiction book to start with.
List of Top 19 NonFiction Drama Books
The executioner's song by Norman Mailer
“The Executioner’s Song” by Norman Mailer is one of the best nonfiction drama books depicting true crime and mystery. The main character in this novel, Gray Gilmore, commits two murders in Utah in 1976. The story revolves around Normal Mailer’s journalistic investigations of this crime among the family, friends, legal professionals, and everyone related to this event. This book could be called the in-depth case study of Gray Gilmore’s case in the most compelling way possible.
The book comprises two parts, namely the Western Voices and the Eastern Voices, which are great to experience as a read than to summarise in an article. The multiple perspectives writing style of this novel makes it one of the best true crime books ever written.
Mailer has faced so much criticism after the release of this novel because of his soft side point of view towards Gray Gilmore, who has committed two brutal murders. But Mailer refuses this criticism by explaining that this novel was created to be an interesting record of this crime, pointing both sides of the story and not only to point out the crimes and nuances of Gilmore. This novel is more directly written than justified. If you’re starting with a nonfiction drama book, then this is a great choice to start from.
The immortal life of Henrietta by Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot was published in the year 2010. This is a thought-provoking novel that relates science and biography. This book talks about the real-life events of Henrietta Lacks, who is unknowingly helping in scientific advancements and the medical industry revolution.
In this book, the lead character, Henrietta Lacks, is a black woman who died due to cervical cancer in the year 1951.
HeLa (Henrietta Lacks) cells are found to be scientifically outstanding. These cells can survive outside the human body and, thus, help scientific research and experiments. The researchers seem to have used her cells for different examinations like virology, cancer, and even genetics.
The fact remains that all these processes are taken forward with the technical consent of the patients, which aroused many ethical questions from the public. In the meantime, a lot of information about her family and other background stories led to what she had become.
Rebecca Skloot had already proved herself a great writer by breaking complex medical terms and procedures into easily understandable criteria, which earned her many more audiences worldwide. Just like all other critically acclaimed writers, Skloot also had to go through a lot of criticism when the book was released. However, the sales of her book and the majority of reviews about the goodness of the books had already taken her name forward before these criticisms could touch her legacy.
If you’re an ethical person interested in science and revolution, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is the best book you can start from.
Midnight in the garden of good and evil" by John Berendt
“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt was published in 1994. This novel is known to have a very slim line dividing it from being fiction while reading it. It reads like a fiction when actually it is not. The story revolves around the trial of an antiques dealer who has been accused of having killed his lover, Danny Hansford. This case of Jim Williams, the antiques dealer, is immersively captured and written like a story by John Berendt. Even though the book is about true crime and mystery it also comes under the genre of southern gothic intrigue.
The title of the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” represents the nature of the Savannah, which is said to be not only Charming and beautiful but also dark and mysterious on the other side. This book is stuffed with so many subplots and characters which enhances the quality of the narrative but also commented to be the only problem that any reader could have. It’s a little complex to understand and go with the flow for beginners, but if you like reading nonfiction drama and intense novels, then this book is a great choice.
In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote was written and published in 1966. This book is again a true crime book that comes under the genres of nonfiction and Drama. It revolves around the mystery of the murders of the Clutter family and the investigation of the culprits, their trials, and their executions.
The book reveals all about the Clutter family and how and why two murderers killed them. The foundation of this book is full of investigations and research about this family, the criminals, and the crime involving the statements and points of view of legal professionals, law enforcement, and everyone else around them.
The book talks widely about the emotional and ethical mindset of both parties, as in the victims and the culprits. The book has double sides, which makes people wonder if there’s any difference between honest people and wrongdoers.
This book barely makes it different from a fictional mystery because of the incredible narrative of the author, earning more praise from the readers and the critics. This could be one of those novels that carry the suspense till the very end. It’s a great read to start as a nonfiction drama book.
"The white tiger" by Aravind Adiga
“The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga is an Indian nonfiction book published in 2008. The book strongly states the issue of class disparity. The book is well known for its strong and straight narrative. It’s well-praised for the same reason and has been awarded The Man Booker Prize, too. The main lead of the story, Balram Halwai, is an inspired male who works as a chauffeur in a village. Later, with dedication and hard work, he develops into an entrepreneur in Delhi. From his point of view, a whole book of social issues and motivational events has been narrated.
There’s barely any social issue that’s left unaddressed by this novel. It talks about almost every partiality and disparity in India, even the rural and urban ones. This is such a critically acclaimed novel that has made the Indian standards very clear of intentions and aftermaths.
It is said to have a hold on readers by the author’s impressive writing style and narrative. A well-written novel is listed here for you to get the best reading experience in non-fictional Drama.
“An era of darkness: the British Empire in India” by Shashi Tharoor
“An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India” by Shashi Tharoor was published in 2016. The book talks about the impacts of British imperialism in India. More like it talks about the injustice and social disparities caused during the British colonial rule in India.
The book talks about both the bad side and the good side of British imperialism. Stating that it did cause social and economic issues but also was responsible for the civilization and development of Indian standards.
As the title of the book says, Tharoor talks about the nuances caused by British rulers. However, he was still criticised for having written the book one-sidedly according to Indians’ perspectives. A book that has uncovered the Indian evolution into what it is today, taken forward by a dark era, is such a powerful account of the unheard stories in the history of India.
This could be one of the best nonfiction drama books to learn about the country as well.
"Killers of the flower moon" by David Grann
“Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann is an amazing nonfiction mystery novel that revolves around a dark period in America where two Indian murderers are involved in the killings. It’s a true crime novel that hooks a reader from the beginning to the very end.
This novel is a well-researched and well-written book of mysteries and thrilling plots of a real-life crime event. It is praised for the strong and courageous narrative written by the author. If you’re a person uninterested in fiction but still want to read drama books, then this is the best book you could choose.
The Sixth Extinction
In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Kolbert argues that this increase in carbon dioxide concentration is actively disrupting natural selection, which could result in extinctions and the creation of new species.
‘The Sixth Extinction’ is one of the numerous popular books of recent years that led to an all-round painstaking investigation into the still-unsolved problem of human-related species extinction. “Elizabeth Kolbert, an internationally renowned writer, sheds light on the services of past extinctions in the geologic history and current threats that may impose diversity, habitat destruction, and climate change. Using powerful, evocative narration and careful scientific research, Kolbert makes us aware of the devastating effects of anthropocentric extinction on ecological balance and the questionable continuation of life on Earth. The dismal and dynamic audacity of “The Sixth Extinction” is, therefore, a call to action to examine the environmental issues of our age.
The Devil in the White City
The Devil in the White City is Erik Larson’s autobiography. In it, he tells the story of America’s first-ever world fair, the Columbian Exposition.
“The Devil in the White City” is a meticulously researched nonfiction narrative that weaves together two parallel stories: the spectacular 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the terrifying story of H. H. Holmes – the murderer in the White City. It is no small feat that Erik Larson, through his book, brings together in one place the monumental splendour of the World’s Fair, designed by architect Daniel H. Burnham, and the shameless and heinous doings of Holmes, which were executed in his ‘Murder Castle’, facing the event. Whether through captivating descriptive images and compelling stories, Larson can put us into the world of the Gilded Age, where, as a reader, we can have a peek at both the pinnacles of human accomplishment and its base.
The Warmth of Other Suns
Through Isabel Wilkerson’s first-hand narratives, she unravels the sacrifices and challenges people endured to achieve freedom and better opportunities during the mass migration in the United States.
“The Warmth of Other Suns” is a work that depicts the Great Migration that occurred across 65 scary years, which spanned from 1915 to 1970. Isabel Wilkerson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, writes a book in the form of a narrative using the life stories of the individuals to highlight the challenges they had to overcome and the chances they were searching for in their new homeland. Through powerful storytelling and exhausting research, Wilkerson reflects the audacity, strength, and perseverance of those who dared to fight for racial oppression and equality as they found new territories to call home. “The Warmth of Other Suns” is thus a pathetic and appealing story about Mexican migrants who are still looking for liberty and inclusion in the American land.
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
“Evicted” provides a reflective analysis of the effect of eviction on poor communities through a third-eye view in the United States. Matthew Desmond, a sociologist and ethnographer, shows the living situations of homeless men and women that are made severe by economic distress by having empathy and using insights from his job (ethnography). Through the tools of dramatic recreation and in-depth research, Desmond makes the world outside the imagery. He reveals the inner workings of a systematically unstable society, which is another way of perpetuating poverty. “Evicted” is an impressive and piteous expose of an expensive American housing crisis and the system which needs a complete overhaul.
The Power of Habit
Our habits shape our lives and businesses. In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg helps us understand how and why we live the way we do and how our habits affect the success of our businesses.
“The Power of Habit” talks about the concept of habits and the analysis behind it concerning our habitual behaviour with the consequences of our lives, either personally or professionally. Charles Duhigg has an investigative focus that extends it down to the neurology of habit formation; he provides insights on their application by individuals in their daily work endeavours. In the book, the author switches to the role of a researcher, on the one hand, and a life example, on the other, to enumerate the habits you need to put the theory into your life. It will be to them a stepping stone instead of a kick in the behind. The Power of Habit is the most amazing, strong, and being-changed-oriented piece on human behaviour that calls on goal setting that has a strong and formidable power to implement positive transformation.
The Looming Tower
“The Looming Tower,” by Lawrence Wright’s work, is a brilliant narrative of a series of events and acts of terrorism that culminated in a catastrophic attack on US soil on September 11, 2001, by Al-Qaeda. According to Spersky of Journalism and Literature – Lawrence Wright, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, will trace jihadist sociology from ideological roots to deadly manifestations. Through his extensive study and interviews with the main characters, he inclines readers to a detailed exploration of the intelligence omissions, political differences, and ideological wrestling that finally brought about the most disastrous terrorist attack in the world’s history. “The Looming Tower” is a well-told and insightful account that discloses the intricate factors that shaped our modern world.
Between the World and Me
Between the World and Me, a reflective reflection appears on the issues of race, identity, and being black in the USA. In a sense, writing a letter to his teenage son, Ta-Nehisi Coates, recalls a lot about the world of his lived experience as a sufferer of racially motivated abuses and vandalism. By his recitation of lyrics and hard-to-swallow honesty, Coates sweeps you off your feet, challenging you to face hard truths about privilege, power, and the persistence of white supremacy. “Between the World and Me” is a touching and stirring redescription of the reality of America’s racial divide and the ongoing fight for fairness and equity.
Educated
The book title “Educated” perfectly sums up the author’s journey from a relatively simple childhood in the rural state of Idaho, where she was raised in an environment of isolation by survivalist parents who had radical viewpoints, to her aspiration of attending college, thus entering a world that presents new situations, and, consequently, personal development. Through Tara Westover’s recounting, the audience sees her experience in overcoming hardships and the imputation of norms by her upbringing, a powerful testament to the fabulous power of learning and resilience. “Educated” is a vivid, emotionally charged and stirring bidding of one woman’s pursuit for the light in a desert of the world where dangers abound.
Just Mercy
“Just Mercy” is a captivating memoir and true-life account of a lawyer and activist, which highlights the author’s experiences in his endeavour to combat racial bias and bolster the justice system. Bryan Stevenson depicts the incidents of his clientele, which involved Walter McMillian, a black man grossly undeserving of a murder conviction. He brings out these racial biases and injustices within the American justice system. His engagement of Steven with the Equal Justice Initiative is the source of hope and inspiration for a more humane society, correcting unfairness wherever it is found. “Justice is not just a word written in the law books but it is a noble belief that must be upheld, and “Just Mercy” is an exceptional chronicle of compassion, empathy, and justice. “
The New Jim Crow
‘The New Jim Crow’ belongs to the scholarship category: a detailed examination of the role of race in the US judicial system, which is thoroughly outlined in the article. The highly respected civil rights lawyer, as well as legal scholar Michelle Alexander, stated that the drug war, as well as mass incarceration policies that specifically targeted people of African American and Latin American origin, has led to Jim Crow-like apartheid. He shows its causes through investigations and intellectual presentation of the significance of racial policing, sentencing, and imprisonment for persons of colour and their environments, such as families or neighbourhoods. “The New Jim Crow” is a course which is a bitter and distressing truth about the past of racial injustice and the right remedy for it somehow.
The Emperor of All Maladies
The book “The Emperor of All Maladies” is a comprehensive study of cancer, encompassing its medical care, social aspects, and biology. Siddhartha Mukherjee, a doctor and a researcher in cancer, seamlessly combines the history of scientific knowledge with the journeys of patients and researchers, giving readers a deeper insight into one of human beings greatest obstacles- the disease. With its lucid style, deep insight, and empathy, this literary masterpiece has come to be regarded as a breakthrough and an outstanding piece for its analysis of the complex nature of cancer. The “The Empire of Cancer Maladies” is a story full of winsome and tenacious narrative that captures the human experience with cancer and the never-ending mission to cure it.
Columbine
“Columbine” is essentially an authoritative piece exploring the notorious school shooting incident that took place at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Out of countless theories and vague recollections surrounding this tragedy for decades, Dave Cullen, the journalist who was investigating it, gives us a detailed account of what happened. Through extensive research and conversations with affected parties, it becomes possible to uncover the nuances and dots of the events before rebuilding the timeline and evaluating the culprits’ complex motives and psychological factors. “Columbine” is one of the films which portrays in a haunting and tribute way what can be one of the most infamous school shootings in American history.
Conclusion
All the above books mentioned in this blog of Non Fictional Books are best in their ways. These top 19 books that we thought every reader could enjoy are just a hunch of a vast list of nonfiction drama books. Pick one and start your reading, have a great time reading more non-fiction books by Arundhati Roy.