Book List

2010 Best Nonfiction: The Top 25

HISTORY

MURDER CITY

by Charles Bowden

A potent book that readers won’t soon forget, and a warning of what can come of an insatiable market that knows no borders. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

THE PUBLISHER

by Alan Brinkley

A thoroughly researched, nuanced appreciation of a complex, talented and troubled man. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

COMPOSED

by Rosanne Cash

An excellent memoir that ends on an encouraging note: “More to come.” Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

NONFICTION

CHASING THE SUN

by Richard Cohen

Apollo, Ra, Inti or Huitzilopochtli—all would rock with delight at Cohen’s sweeping endeavor. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

NONFICTION

THERE IS POWER IN A UNION

by Philip Dray

In the end, Dray’s account is evenhanded—not all bosses are bad, not all activists good—but it is clear where his sympathies... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

NONFICTION

TRAVELS IN SIBERIA

by Ian Frazier

A dense, challenging, dazzling work that will leave readers exhausted but yearning for more. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

MENTOR

by Tom Grimes

Without wasting a word, Grimes presents a thoroughly readable view of how stories—and writers, at least of a certain... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

HITCH-22

by Christopher Hitchens

Revealing and riveting. There's little about his brother, his two marriages or his children, but other memoirs may follow. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

CHARLIE CHAN

by Yunte Huang

Multilayered, provocative and highly accessible, this will appeal to Chan fans, scholars and general readers. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

COLONEL ROOSEVELT

by Edmund Morris

Roosevelt never fails to fascinate, and Morris provides a highly readable, strong finish to his decades-long marathon. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

SOUL MINING

by Daniel Lanois

There’s really nothing like this oft-rapturous work in the canon of musical memoirs. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

More Book Lists

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 258 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s, and YA books; also in this issue: the 100 best fiction and 100 best nonfiction books of 2024, author interviews, and much more

subscribe
  • kirkus star
  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

  • kirkus prize
  • The Kirkus Prize

    The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews. Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Thank you!

Close Quickview