In order to gain a better understanding into the world around you, you must see how others view the past, present, and future. These five books will do just that. They have sparked much controversy over time; yet continuously intrigue the minds of their readers in a very positive way. Although these books are very different from each other, they all have writing strategies that cause the reader to really think about what the author is trying to say, as well as how they personally would react in the situations presented.

1. Beloved by Toni Morrison

What is real love? Is real love a justifiable reason to kill your child to give them the best alternative to their future? Morrison takes on the aftermath of slavery in a way that makes the reader reevaluate the decisions and circumstances they are able to make today, and how they would be altered if he or she were a slave. The book consists of mystery, history, and supernatural circumstances.

2. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

The Prince is a book that can be read either as a satire or a straightforward guideline of how a successful king or leader should act. Machiavelli did not explain any of his motives behind this book while he was alive, which allows us to draw our own interpretations. Tupac made the ideas of Machiavelli famous when he took on the persona of Makaveli. The underlining theme for this book is an entertaining way to understand how countries were ran in the 16^th century, and seeing how our leadership is not that much different.

3. Unchristian by David Kinnamn and Gabe Lyons

Unchristian is a book that is based on surveyed information on how people today view Christians. This book is a great book for either Christians or non Christians to see how our society has changed over time in regards to religion and how it is viewed. It is a very eye opening text that examines the misunderstandings on both sides, as well as the false assumptions and stereotypes. This very factual text allows readers to get a better understanding of where the society of the U.S. is heading.

4. Malcom X Autobiography by Malcom X and Alex Haley

Malcom X is notoriously connected with any variation of black pride. He was very outspoken, and was very influential throughout his life. But if you are at all like me, that was all I knew about him. His Autobiography allows readers to see his life from the source. The book includes his entire life, including an epilogue by the co-author explaining Malcom’s assassination. It allows the reader to think about how much people’s past influences their future and their lifestyle, including Malcom X.

5.Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry Charles

Manson is still currently serving life imprisonment, which he was sentenced to in 1972. This book discusses the Manson Family, which was led by Charles Manson. The details to how Manson gained so many followers and power, as well as his personal actions causes the reader to understand the severity of his actions. Bugliosi, one of the authors of this book was the prosecutor, and gives first hand experience of Manson, his followers, and the murders they committed.

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About the author

Marci Swank
I am from a small town in Iowa, and now live in a slightly larger Iowan city where I am finishing my B.A. in English with minors in Professional Writing and Interactive Digital Studies, with an emphasis in Digital Writing & Business. I love to travel, read, write, and talk; the ways I absorb as much creativity and knowledge as I possibly can.

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