Best History & Theory of Politics Books of 2025

The 48 Laws of Power is a multi-million-copy bestseller that offers a definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control. Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz. The book teaches the need for prudence, confidence, and absolute self-preservation, all with an interest in total domination. This book is an excellent guide to understanding the rules of the game, whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand.

JFK and the Unspeakable is a gripping account of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the reasons behind it. Author James W. Douglass explores how JFK's shift towards peace threatened the power and influence of military and intelligence agencies in the US, leading to a conspiracy to assassinate him and a cover-up. The book provides an in-depth look at the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lee Harvey Oswald, and the events leading up to the President's death. It has been praised by notable figures like Oliver Stone and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for its well-documented and convincing portrayal. JFK and the Unspeakable is a must-read for anyone interested in US history and politics.

Generación idiota: Una crítica al adolescentrismo is a thought-provoking book that delves into the disappearance of intergenerational society and the rise of adolescent mentality. The author, Agustín Laje, argues that ideologies centered around adolescence are on the rise, resulting in teenagers ruling the world and dominating culture, politics, and language. The book is divided into five chapters, each exploring different themes such as the role of fashion, entertainment, and digital technology in shaping society. Laje also offers a unique model of rebellion and escape from political idiocy. If you're tired of blatant indoctrination in the media, schools, and universities, Generación idiota is a must-read.

Behold a Pale Horse by former United States Naval Intelligence Briefing Team member Bill Cooper is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on information that has been kept hidden from the public since the 1940s. Cooper's lucid and rational approach to sensitive issues such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the war on drugs, the secret government, and UFOs is both informative and empowering. His predictions on world events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the invasion of Panama, were documented before they occurred. Although the revised edition excludes the hateful forgery Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Cooper's research and insights remain relevant and unique.

The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet is a thought-provoking book that deconstructs the societal conditions that allow collective psychosis to take hold, leading to the emergence of totalitarian regimes. The author identifies the phenomenon of "mass formation" and clearly illustrates how close we are to surrendering to such regimes. The book provides detailed analyses, examples, and results from years of research, laying out the steps that lead toward mass formation. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the societal and psychological factors that contribute to totalitarianism.

The Will to Change by bell hooks is a thought-provoking book that delves into the ways that patriarchal culture keeps men from expressing their emotions and loving. Through candid and challenging discussions, hooks encourages men to reclaim the emotionally open part of themselves and find spiritual unity. This book is a compelling study of the culture's unfairness to men, and it's a clarion call to align with visionary radical feminism. Overall, The Will to Change is a brave and astonishing work that can help men reclaim the best part of themselves.

The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe is a thought-provoking book that explores the cycles of American history and predicts its future. Based on a theory of four eras or "turnings" that last about twenty years each, the authors argue that America is currently in the midst of a Crisis, a pivotal moment in history that will lead to significant changes. The book offers bold predictions about how individuals and society can prepare for America's next rendezvous with destiny. Overall, The Fourth Turning is a fascinating read that offers a unique perspective on American history and its future.

The Fourth Turning Is Here is an insightful book that predicts how the current era of civil unrest in America will resolve over the next ten years. Neil Howe and the late William Strauss's theory of American history shows that modern history moves in cycles, and the fourth turning is always the most perilous. The book explores how the political, social, and economic challenges we'll face in the decade to come will affect each living generation differently. The author's approach is illuminating, sobering, and empowering, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in demography studies.

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America is a powerful and essential history of the modern American metropolis. Richard Rothstein, the author, exposes how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on metropolitan areas nationwide. Rothstein describes how the American government systematically imposed residential segregation: with undisguised racial zoning; public housing that purposefully segregated previously mixed communities; subsidies for builders to create whites-only suburbs. The Color of Law is a groundbreaking study that has already transformed our understanding of twentieth-century urban history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in urban planning and development.

Nation of Victims is a thought-provoking book that challenges the current victimhood culture in American society. Vivek Ramaswamy argues that the pursuit of excellence and exceptionalism are at the core of American identity, and the disappearance of these ideals has left a deep moral and cultural vacuum. The author offers a solution to revive a new cultural movement in America that puts excellence first again. Ramaswamy's fearless, provocative book is a must-read for those who dare to question their assumptions about who we are and how we got here. Overall, Nation of Victims is a compelling read that sheds light on the dangers of victimhood and the importance of striving for excellence.