In a world shaped by inequality, climate crisis, rising authoritarianism, and rapid social change, it’s more important than ever for progressives to stay informed. The books we read help us understand not just what’s happening, but why—and how we can work toward a better future.
This list of 23 essential books covers politics, the problems of late stage capitalism, race, gender, climate change, media, and resistance. Whether you’re looking for historical context, a deeper understanding of systemic issues, or inspiration for action, these books will challenge and empower you.
Editor’s note: No, we don’t love Amazon (or capitalism) either, but we have to pay the bills somehow. Every purchase you make we get a tiny cut of at no cost to you—and that helps us keeps the lights on for our independent journalism.
Politics, Power, and Democracy
1. The Wretched of the Earth – Frantz Fanon
This groundbreaking work, first published in 1961, explores the psychological and social effects of colonialism, making it essential for understanding the ongoing legacy of imperialism. Fanon argues that true liberation requires not just independence from colonial rule, but a complete rejection of colonial mentalities. Find out more or buy it here.
2. The Jakarta Method – Vincent Bevins
In this recently published best seller, Vincent Bevins uncovers the little-known but devastating history of U.S.-backed mass killings of leftists in Indonesia and across the Global South. This book exposes the brutal tactics our government used to suppress socialist movements worldwide and how that shaped today’s global political order. Find out more or buy it here.
3. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century – Timothy Snyder
Another recently published best seller, this short but powerful book distills lessons from history to help citizens recognize and resist creeping authoritarianism. Snyder offers practical advice on defending democracy, from avoiding blind obedience to supporting independent journalism. Find out more or buy it here.
4. Democracy in Chains – Nancy MacLean
In this National Book Award winner from 2018, MacLean reveals the decades-long, right-wing effort to undermine democracy in the U.S., from suppressing voting rights to dismantling public institutions. This book is essential for understanding the deep-rooted ideological battles shaping modern politics. Find out more or buy it here.
5. The Myth of American Idealism – Noam Chomsky and Nathan J. Robinson
So often all we here about American foreign policy is the American side; any attempt to give a voice to the people of the countries we’ve bombed and invaded is stifled. In what may be the last great work of a genius, Chomsky challenges the notion of American exceptionalism, arguing that U.S. foreign policy has often exacerbated global conflicts rather than resolved them. Find out more or buy it here.
6. How Democracies Die – Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt
This book explores how democracies erode—not through violent coups, but through the gradual weakening of norms and institutions (you know, what we’re living through right now). With examples from the U.S. and around the world, Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt show how to recognize and resist democratic backsliding. Find out more or buy it here.
7. The People, No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism – Thomas Frank
Did somebody say, leftist tea party?? Frank challenges the elite-driven narrative that portrays populist movements as dangerous or uninformed. He argues that real democracy requires mass participation and that dismissing the people’s demands serves only entrenched power. Find out more or buy it here.
Capitalism, Economics, and Labor
8. Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? – Mark Fisher
Fisher explains why neoliberal capitalism feels inescapable, shaping not just our economies but our very imaginations. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to think beyond the limits of the current system. Find out more or buy it here.
9. The Shock Doctrine – Naomi Klein
Klein reveals how crises—whether natural disasters, financial crashes, or wars—are exploited to push through extreme free-market policies. If you want to understand disaster capitalism and how to resist it, this book is essential. Find out more or buy it here.
10. Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World – Anand Giridharadas
This New York Times Best Seller exposes how billionaires and corporate elites maintain power through philanthropy while avoiding real systemic change. It’s a powerful critique of “thought leaders” who claim to solve problems they help create. Find out more or buy it here.
11. Bullshit Jobs: A Theory – David Graeber
Graeber argues that many modern jobs exist solely to sustain capitalism, rather than provide real value. If you’ve ever felt like your job is meaningless, this book will explain why—and what we can do about it. Find out more or buy it here. (Is it ironic that this is an “editor’s pick” on Amazon?)
12. A Collective Bargain: Unions, Organizing, and the Fight for Democracy – Jane McAlevey
McAlevey makes a compelling case that strong labor unions are the best defense against corporate and political oppression (in case you needed convincing). This book provides both historical context and practical strategies for organizing workers today. Find out more or buy it here.
13. It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism – Bernie Sanders
In his latest book (published February 2024), Bernie lays out a searing critique of a system rigged against working people while billionaires amass unimaginable wealth. With his signature passion and clarity, Sanders exposes how corporate greed, political corruption, and economic inequality are crushing democracy—and what can be done to fix it. Find out more or buy it here.
Race, Justice, and Inequality
14. The New Jim Crow – Michelle Alexander
This book—published just over ten years ago—will go in the pantheon of great American books that change history. In it, Alexander exposes how mass incarceration in the U.S. functions as a system of racial control, much like Jim Crow laws of the past. This book is essential for understanding the racialized roots of the criminal justice system. Find out more or buy it here.
15. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents – Isabel Wilkerson
In this must read, Wilkerson argues that racism in the U.S. is best understood as a caste system, comparing it to India’s caste hierarchy and Nazi Germany’s racial laws. This book offers a fresh and compelling framework for understanding systemic oppression. Find out more or buy it here.
16. How to Be an Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi
In this #1 New York Times Bestseller, Kendi moves beyond simply identifying racism to showing how we can actively dismantle it. This book is an urgent call for personal and collective action in the fight against systemic racism. Find out more or buy it here.
17. We Do This ‘Til We Free Us – Mariame Kaba
Kaba’s collection of essays challenges conventional ideas about policing and justice, arguing for an abolitionist approach. If you want to understand what real alternatives to policing look like, this book is a must-read. Find out more or buy it here.
Palestine
18. The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine – Rashid Khalidi
This is the must-read book for anybody wanting to understand the story of Palestine, its colonization, and resistance. In this compelling narrative, Khalidi offers a detailed account of the century-long conflict, emphasizing the experiences and courage of the Palestinian people. Drawing from personal and historical sources, Khalidi challenges prevailing narratives and provides a nuanced perspective on the enduring struggle for justice and self-determination. Find out more or buy it here.
19. Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal – Mohammed El-Kurd
A Gen-Z Palestinian influencer from occupied East Jerusalem, Mohammed El-Kurd critically examines the expectations placed on Palestinians to present themselves as flawless victims to gain global sympathy. This book will make you rethink what it means to be human. Find out more or buy it here.
Gender, Queer Liberation, and Feminism
20. Women, Race & Class – Angela Davis
The OG leftist influencer, Davis explores the intersection of feminism, race, and class struggles in this classic, revealing how they are deeply connected. This book is foundational for anyone interested in inclusive, intersectional activism. Find out more or buy it here.
21. White Tears/Brown Scars – Ruby Hamad
In this recently published power and provocative book, Hamad examines how white feminism has historically marginalized and harmed women of color. This book is a must-read for understanding the ways privilege and oppression interact in feminist movements. Find out more or buy it here.
22. Transgender Marxism – Jules Joanne Gleeson & Elle O’Rourke (eds.)
Now it’s time to get radical. This book brings together essays on the intersection of trans liberation and anti-capitalist struggle. It’s an important read for anyone interested in radical approaches to gender justice. Find out more or buy it here.
Climate Crisis and the Environment
23. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History – Elizabeth Kolbert
In this Pulitzer Prize winner (somehow, the only on our list), Kolbert explains how human activity is driving a mass extinction event, drawing on science and history to show what’s at stake. This book is a wake-up call for urgent climate action. Find out more or buy it here.
24. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate – Naomi Klein
Klein (rightly) argues that the fight against climate change is inseparable from the fight against capitalism. Even though it’s a decade old, this book makes the case for bold, systemic transformation. Find out more or buy it here.
Propaganda, Media, and Misinformation
25. Manufacturing Consent – Noam Chomsky & Edward S. Herman
This classic explains how corporate media shapes public opinion to serve elite interests. It’s a must-read for understanding propaganda and media manipulation. Find out more or buy it here.
26. Network Propaganda – Yochai Benkler, Robert Faris & Hal Roberts
This book details how right-wing media ecosystems fuel misinformation and polarization. If you want to understand how disinformation spreads, this book is invaluable. Find out more or buy it here.
Hope & Resistance
27. Hope in the Dark – Rebecca Solnit
First published in 2016, we need this book now more than ever. In it, Solnit reminds us that history is full of unexpected victories—and that hope is a powerful force for change. This book is perfect for anyone feeling despair about the state of the world. Find out more or buy it here.