Blog Posts by Subject: Nonfiction

Aug. 26 is Equality Day—so, we asked our expert NYPL staff members to recommend some books about women and activism, for all ages and in cultures all around the world.

Books and destinations from around the world were discussed at the most recent Open Book Night, and lots of recommendations were picked up along the way.

Branden Simms has created an inspired work which provides a detailed look at how a small unit conducted itself in this period under extreme duress. His book is not only a military history, but a look at the actual people who took part in these events. He chronicles their lives on an almost hourly basis and we endure with them those momentous events that took place on that sultry afternoon 200 years ago on a small Belgian field. That farmland and structures remain active to this day which are owned by individuals aware of their historical significance. The author was privileged to 

For this week's episode of the New York Public Library podcast, Colson Whitehead discusses poker. In 2011, the author traveled to the World Series of Poker, where he competed and reported back for Grantland.

Welcome back to the Reader's Den as we wrap up July's book. I hope you have enjoyed Karen Abbott's book Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy as much as I have. I talked to the author about what she likes to read (when she's not busy writing!)

This summer, why not explore some great nonfiction science reads about animals, both on land and underseas, and the ways in which they continually surprise humans.

Jill Morgenthaler is a retired military colonel who was able to climb up the career ladder and has many words of wisdom for both female and male leaders.

In 1997, The Moth began hosting storytelling events around the country, and in 2013, we were lucky enough to share in The Moth experience at Live from the NYPL. On that night, The Moth founder George Dawes Green, writer Andrew Solomon, and The Moth's long-time Artistic Director Catherine Burns joined us. For this week's episode of the New York Public Library Podcast, we're proud to present The Moth on the Power of Storytelling.

Welcome back to the Reader’s Den! This August we’re making a virtual escape from the hot and steamy New York summer with Bill Bryson’s classic travelogue, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, originally published in 1996.

When you reminisce about your childhood, is it filled with summertime freedom to traverse the neighborhood without your parents always watching? Here are resources to support children learning how to commune with nature and express their independent spirit.

Welcome to the second week of July's Reader's Den. In keeping with this year's theme of Superheroes, we're taking on a different approach: seeing a 'hero' from multiple perspectives.

We asked our expert NYPL staff, “What’s your favorite book that features a protagonist with a disability, and why do you like it?”

In honor of the Gonzo journalist dressed in sleeves full of tricks and outlandishly trumpeting prose, we're looking back at some of Thompson's finest nonfiction.

Amanda from Seattle and Meredith from Britain met while studying abroad in Italy. They roomed together with two Italian women. At first, everything was peachy keen, but, as happens so often with roommates, the relationship soon soured.

Business leaders need to retain their curiosity, ask themselves questions to keep at the top of their game, and ask questions of others to determine if they need assistance and to double-check if the leaders need to improve. Questions spur learning.

On the heels of the Fourth of July, we will be discussing Karen Abbott's book Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy.

This work presents a positive view of people and their potential. Effective leaders should not simply search for work performance problems to correct. They help staff to develop their skills and achieve their goals.

Listen to scholars and other experts discuss their recent nonfiction books on a wide variety of subjects and ask them questions.

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, read some of these fascinating historical fiction and nonfiction titles to better understand how our country came to be.