Politics Books
recommended by political scientists and historians
Last updated: June 11, 2025
The best books on Israel, recommended by Michael Goldfarb
Award-winning broadcast journalist and author chooses five books on Israel. He says that perceptions of Israel and Palestine are always filtered through expectation and prejudice – which makes the problem unsolvable
The best books on The Israel-Palestine Conflict, recommended by Robin Yassin-Kassab
The author and political blogger chooses five books on the Israel-Palestine conflict and compares the Palestinians to the Jews in diaspora: as the land disappears under their feet, their identity grows stronger.
The best books on Private Armies, recommended by Stephen Armstrong
Many soldiers serving in private armies are not bloodthirsty mercenaries, but just trying to get by using the skills they have, argues journalist Stephen Armstrong, author of War Plc. He recommends books on private armies.
The best books on Men and Women, recommended by Satoshi Kanazawa
The differences between men and women are innate, argues the evolutionary psychologist, and men’s relative success in the workplace a reflection of desire rather than discrimination.
The best books on Boys and Toxic Masculinity, recommended by Sue Palmer
The child development expert Sue Palmer explains why modern life is making boys more sad, isolated and materialistic.
The best books on Maverick Political Thought, recommended by Chibli Mallat
The lawyer who prosecuted Ariel Sharon discusses the brilliance of maverick political thinkers and says: “It takes at least a generation to establish democracy.” Highlights work of philosopher Gilles Deleuze above all
The Best Political Diaries, recommended by Chris Mullin
The Labour MP on political diaries. A nugget from the day of the Norway debate, which brought down the Chamberlain government: ‘Sunny morning, went riding in Richmond Park. Strolled into the House for the Norway debate’
The best books on A World Without Poverty, recommended by Muhammad Yunus
The 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-winner talks about his creation of micro-credit and walks us through his five books on poverty and how to eradicate it – includes Zola’s Germinal and Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities
The best books on British Politics, recommended by David Lipsey
The journalist and Labour peer, formerly adviser to British Prime Minister James Callaghan, explains his selection of five books about British Politics. Touches on subjects from climate change to the British constitution
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1
Preface to Plato
by Eric A Havelock -
2
The Printing Press as an Agent of Change
by Elizabeth L Eisenstein -
3
The Creation of the Media: Political Origins of Modern Communications
by Paul Starr -
4
Raymond Williams on Culture and Society: Essential Writings
by Raymond Williams -
5
Media Unlimited
by Todd Gitlin
The best books on The Future of the Media, recommended by Todd Gitlin
The best books on The Future of the Media, recommended by Todd Gitlin
The Journalism Professor at Columbia University discusses the future of the media. Argues that the availability of intelligently compiled, serious information is a prerequisite for democratic life