If you enjoy reading books by Robert Kolker then you might also like the following authors:
Patrick Radden Keefe writes nonfiction stories that feel as vivid as novels. His book “Say Nothing” focuses on the conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, and unravels the mystery of a woman’s disappearance during that time.
He explores secret betrayals, hidden loyalties, and the human cost of violence. It’s a book that dives deep into the lives of those caught in a brutal conflict, showing how people grappled with fear, loss, and impossible choices.
Jon Krakauer is an author who takes real-life stories and turns them into unforgettable reads. One of his most well-known works, “Into the Wild”, is about Christopher McCandless, a young man who gave up his privileged life to wander across America.
The book follows his journey to Alaska, where he went off the grid and tried to live completely on his own in the wilderness. Krakauer pieces together the events leading to McCandless’s time in the wild, using journal entries, interviews, and research.
It’s a story that explores freedom, isolation, and the call of adventure in a way that sticks with you.
Kate Moore is an author known for nonfiction that focuses on real-life stories. Her book, “The Radium Girls,” tells the true story of young women who worked in factories painting watch dials with glowing radium paint.
These workers were taught to lick the tips of their paintbrushes to get a finer point, unknowingly ingesting toxic radium. The book follows their fight for justice after falling gravely ill due to the job.
It’s a powerful story about courage and resilience, based on historical events that had a major impact on worker rights and safety.
Beth Macy writes non-fiction that often explores social issues through deeply human stories. Her book, “Dopesick,” tells the story of America’s opioid crisis, focusing on the people caught in its grip.
From small-town families to overburdened doctors, Macy shows how addiction takes root and spreads, all while highlighting the businesses and systems that fuel the epidemic. The book also follows the lawsuits and activism led by those fighting to hold corporations accountable.
It’s a sobering and powerful look at how a national crisis impacts ordinary lives.
Deborah Blum is a science writer who focuses on true stories with a mix of history and crime.
Her book, “The Poisoner’s Handbook,” takes readers into early 20th-century New York City, where forensic scientists Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler work to solve murders using groundbreaking toxicology techniques.
It highlights how poisons like cyanide and arsenic were used in crimes, and how these scientists helped turn forensic science into a vital tool for justice. If you like detailed investigations into real events, her work might capture your interest.
Adrian Wojnarowski is known for capturing the human side of sports with precision. His book, “The Miracle of St. Anthony,” tells the story of a struggling high school basketball team in Jersey City coached by Bob Hurley.
Hurley, a tough but devoted coach, works to guide his players not just on the court but in life, all while managing a school barely keeping its doors open.
The book focuses on the challenges the kids face, from poverty to personal setbacks, and highlights the tight bond they form as they fight to succeed. It’s about more than basketball—it’s a portrait of perseverance and heart.
Laura Hillenbrand writes nonfiction that focuses on remarkable true stories with deeply human elements. Her book, “Unbroken,” tells the story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic runner who becomes a World War II bombardier.
After his plane crashes, he survives weeks on a raft in the Pacific and endures brutal treatment in Japanese prison camps. Hillenbrand’s detailed storytelling brings the resilience and determination of Zamperini to life, painting a vivid picture of his journey.
Erik Larson is a writer who brings real history to life in ways that feel almost unbelievable. One of his most well-known books, “The Devil in the White City,” tells the story of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and a killer who used the event as a backdrop for his crimes.
It follows two main figures—a visionary architect building the fair and a doctor who lured victims into a hotel he designed for murder. The dual narratives take you deep into the ambition and darkness of the time, blending innovation with something much more sinister.
If you like stories that uncover historical events and the people behind them, this might be worth a look.
Rachel Aviv is a writer known for exploring the lives of people who face complex challenges. Her book “Strangers to Ourselves” takes a close look at mental illness and how it shapes identity.
One memorable story in the book recounts the life of a woman in India who enters an ashram, hoping to find relief from her struggles. This isn’t a typical clinical view of mental health.
Aviv offers real, personal stories that bring readers into the experiences of others, making them think differently about the way individuals cope and heal.
David Grann is a journalist and author known for crafting true stories that uncover mysteries and historical events. His book, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” focuses on the Osage Nation in the 1920s.
After discovering oil on their land, many Osage people became incredibly wealthy, which led to a series of brutal murders. The book follows the investigation conducted by the newly formed FBI, uncovering a conspiracy that had remained hidden.
It’s a haunting account of greed, betrayal, and the lengths people go to for power.
Sharon Weinberger is a journalist who writes about technology, defense, and national security. In her book “The Imagineers of War,” she explores the origins and work of DARPA, the U.S. military’s advanced research agency.
The book takes readers through fascinating projects, such as ideas for mind-controlled weapons and efforts to develop invisible planes. It also uncovers the struggles and unexpected failures behind some of its experiments.
Weinberger tells the human stories of the scientists and visionaries behind these bold projects, offering a look at how ambition and innovation have shaped modern warfare.
Katherine Boo is a journalist who tells true stories about people navigating hardship. Her book, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” takes readers to a slum in Mumbai next to a luxury airport.
It follows families striving to survive, each facing different challenges shaped by poverty, corruption, and shattered dreams. Abdul, a teenager accused of a crime, dreams of building a better life by selling recyclables.
Asha, another character, maneuvers power dynamics to gain influence in her community. These stories make the realities of inequality feel deeply personal.
Rebecca Skloot is the author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” a book that combines science and history to tell a powerful story. It focuses on Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge in the 1950s.
These cells, known as HeLa, became a cornerstone of medical research, leading to major breakthroughs. Skloot explores the life of Henrietta and the impact her family faced after her death.
The book doesn’t just focus on the science but also looks at how this event changed lives and raised important questions.
Jane Mayer is a journalist and author who investigates the powerful and often hidden forces shaping society. Her book “Dark Money” uncovers the secretive network of billionaires who have worked to influence American politics.
It focuses on figures like the Koch brothers, showing how they funneled their wealth into think tanks and campaigns to sway public opinion and laws.
Mayer explores how this money helped reshape modern politics, revealing connections and strategies that aren’t immediately obvious. If you enjoy stories where deep investigations meet human drama, this book might grab your interest.
Seymour Hersh is a journalist known for his investigative reporting that uncovers hidden truths and challenges power. One of his most talked-about books, “The Killing of Osama Bin Laden,” looks at the story behind the raid that killed Bin Laden.
Hersh questions the official account, presenting a version of events based on insider sources and documents. The book reveals how governments sometimes manipulate narratives to shape public perception, making it an eye-opening read for fans of thought-provoking nonfiction.