2013 Literary Review (Non-Fiction Edition)

As I said below I read a total of exactly 50 books in 2013. This is a list of the Non-Fiction books I read. I have really been into reading novels lately but I still will always love Non-Fiction. I read several books about the Financial Crisis in 2013. I plan to focus on Israel and Palestine in 2014. That is a subject I feel I should make more of an effort to atleast understand. Again, feel free to share your sentiments, suggestions, or if you want suggestions I would be glad to share those. There is a little of everything here from Current Events, History, True Crime, and Memoirs etc...

1. Jake Adelstein - Tokyo Vice

Tokyo fascinates me. I have never been but I would love to go. I dont know what it is but I love reading anything about that city and Japanese urban culture. This is an interesting book about an American who became the first gaijin to work at an all Japanese language news paper. On top of that he blew the lid off a scandal involving the Yakuza and UCLA. Leader of the Yakuza were bribing their way to the top of the liver transplant list at UCLA. Adelstein recounts the harrowing tale of how he found out and what he did to unseat one of Japan's most dangerous organized crime leaders. Its a fascinating and thrilling read.




2. Marc Ambinder & D.B. Grady - Deep State: Inside The Government Secrecy Industry

This was probably my least favorite read of 2013. I picked it up on the strength of the title because I like covert ops and top secret mission declassification type books and also there was a co-sign on the back from Jeremy Scahill.  You can't win them all though. Deep State was not very exciting and it was way too critical of Wikileaks. I am not saying you cant be critical of them but the whole idea that the things they have leaked have made things more dangerous and they are traitors argument is a red flag for me.

3. Seth Andrews - Deconverted

4. Radley Balko - Rise Of The Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces

Radley Balko is normally way to right wing for me but this is one of those issues where true progressives and libertarians overlap. With the increase of police violence against innocent citizens or non violent criminals, this book is more important that ever. Its very scary stuff. Its a well researched book. My main disagreement with this book is the approach he takes to solving the problem. The problem itself is real though and if you want to understand what that problem is then read this book for sure.


5. Neil Barofsky - Bailout: An Inside Account Of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street.

Great book about TARP. I posted a review by Taibbi in an earlier post. Here. 




6. Max Blumenthal - Republican Gomorrah: Inside The Movement That Shattered The Party

This is a reread for me. Max does his due diligence in explaining the rise of the fundamentalist christian right. I have his new book about Israel on deck for 2014. I saw him speak this year and it was very awesome. I discussed it in an earlier post.


7. Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Reread


8. Kurt Eichenwald - 500 Days

I reviewed this book in an earlier post. Check it out!


9. Charles Furgeson - Predator Nation: Corporate Criminals, Political Corruption, And The HighJacking Of America.

This book goes in soooo hard on bankers. I loved it. It is a companion or follow up piece to his brilliant documentary "Inside Job"! Watch the film then read this book, thats what I did. You will be ready to piss on some bankers when you're done.



10. Thomas Frank - Pity The Billionaire

11. Chrystia Freeland - Plutocrats: The Rise Of The New Global Super Rich And The Fall Of Everyone Else.

12. Charles Graeber - The Good Nurse

Serial killer nurse. I reviewed this earlier this year. Here.









13. John Howard Griffin - Black Like Me

Definitely a reread. One of the most important books I have ever read. It never gets old.



14. Sam Harris - Free Will

15. Michael Hastings - The Operators

This was the first book I read this year. It is an illuminating tale of how unpopular the war in Afghanistan really is. Most people focused on the scandal surrounding this book. I have also posted a lot about the tragic death of the author Michael Hastings on this blog. We lost one of our countries best and most fearless investigative journalists.



16. Chris Hedges - American Fascists

17. John Hersey - Hiroshima

18. Mark Leibovich - This Town

Proof the jokes on you...



19. Gabor Mate - In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts

This book changed the way I look at addiction and the way I work with my patients. I wish all healthcare providers or people who are dealing with addiction (personally or know someone) could read this book. Its very very long but its worth it. If you want a thorough understanding of addiction without being bored to death. Read In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts.


20. David Neiwart - And Hell Followed With Her

Good book. I reviewed it earlier this year. Here. 



21. Wendell Potter - Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out On How Corporate PR Is Killing Healthcare And Deceiving Americans.






I cant think of a more appropriate book to read if you want to understand the "Obamacare" spin.



22. John Ronson - Lost At Sea

23. A.M. Rosenthal - 38 Witnesses

24. Salman Rushdie - Joseph Anton

Salman Rushdie's Memoir. Incredibly fascinating guy. Great read.



25. Jeff Sharlet - The Family

Reread




26. Matt Taibbi - Griftopia

Another reread. This one never gets old.


27. Matt Taibbi - The Great Derangement

Taibbi's swipe at extremism. Which is hilarious. I personally love Taibbi's polemic style, I know it can be a turn off for some. If you don't like his snark then I wouldn't read this but if you do, you will laugh!


28. Nick Turse - Kill Anything That Moves

This book was a hard read. The Vietnam War was so horrible. For everyone. There are definitely no winners in war. This book proves it.