Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown.

Here is my Facebook daily countdown of the "Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books of all time." This is how it appeared on Facebook, spelling mistakes and all.




#51 MAYFLOWER: A Story Of Courage, Community, And War by Nathaniel Philbrick: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. And we're off again on another of Durfee's popular literary countdowns. So let's kick it off with the voyage of the Mayflower. The ship that started it all. AMERICA!!!
#50 THE HIDDEN REALITY: Parallel Universes And The Deep Laws Of The Cosmos by Brian Greene: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. We exist in over a trillion different parallel universes (in billions of those universes I'm married to Scarlet Johansson, in a billion others I'm married to YOU!). Scientifically; it's as probable as evolution. Logically; makes as much sense as Jesus.
#49 SCHULZ AND PEANUTS: A Biography by David Michaelis. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The story of the quirky and slightly disturbed genius who created Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, and the gang. The greatest cartoon strip ever. None other compare. I dare you to doubt me or think of one better
#48 GOD IS NOT GREAT: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The title says it all. I love watching (on youtube)Hitchens' many morality debates with the world's 'intellectual' religious leaders and also his various interviews with the likes of Hannity and Bill O'Rielly. It's like watching 5 year olds debate Einstein.
#47 WASHINGTON: A Life by Ron Chernow. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. A substantial, detailed, epic story of George Washington. At almost 1000 pages this tome covers every last detail of the man's life. There is however, one other Washington biography I like more than this (yet to be revealed).
‎#46 A GATHERING AF SAINTS: A True Story Of Money, Murder, and Deceit by Robert Lindsey. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The riveting account of master forger and bungling car bomber Mark Hofmann. I asked one of the lead investigators in the case which (of the 3 books written about Hofmann) was the most fair and accurate. He chose GATHERING OF SAINTS over THE SALAMANDER LETTER and THE MORMON MURDERS
#45 1776 by David McCullough. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Here is the Revolution as experienced by American Loyalists, Hessian Mercenaries, politicians, preachers, traitors, and spies. Read this and you will soon realize not every Colonist wanted to break from England. Yes, there were pacifist liberals as far back as 1776
#44 THE QUIET WORLD: Saving Alaska's Wilderness Kingdom by Douglas Brinkley. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. A detailed history of our greatest, grandest state. THE QUIET WORLD is populated with such characters as John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Rockwell Kent, Dwight D Eisenhower, and Ansel Adams
#43 CITIZEN SOLDIERS: by Stephen E. Ambrose. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. A great look at the U.S. Military advance through France and Germany during World War II and the liberation of the Jewish internment camps. I always love well done works on World War II.
#42 JOSEPH SMITH: ROUGH STONE ROLLING by Richard Lyman Bushman: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. A fair look at the life and times of founder of the Mormon church. Less anti-Mormon than Fawn Brodie, but not so blatently faith-promoting and dishonestly apoligetic as Bio's written by other Mormon scholars
#41 WHERE MEN WIN GLORY: The Pat Tilman Story by Jon Krakauer: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Tilman, a pro football player, gives up his career in the NFL to join the Army Rangers after 9/11. This is not only a superb look at the life of a great American, but also a harrowing account of his tragic death in combat. As for writing, Krakauer is a national treasure
#40 THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH: The Evidence For Evolution by Richard Dawkins: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. There is no evidence of God. There is some evidence for evolution however. So i know which side I am gonna throw in with. Just sayin folks...
#39 THEMES: A Biography by Peter Ackroyd: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Everything you wanted to know about the river Themes. The exciting part of the story is when the Themes makes its lazy way through London...well, exciting for doods like me i supose
#38 THE GREAT BRIDGE: The Epic Story Of The Building Of The Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Everything you wanted to know about the building of the Broooklyn Bridge by the worlds leading historical writer. Awesome
#37 THE EXECUTIONERS SONG by Norman Mailer. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Okay I know this one won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. But anyone who has read it can clearly see it is NOT a novel. And the 1980 movie (filmed in Provo at the Utah State Prison) starring Tommy Lee Jones and Rosanna Arquette is worth watching
#36 CONFEDERATES IN THE ATTIC: Dispatches From The Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. A funny look at the modern guys (and gals) who re-create Civil War battles. It is also a great lesson on the Civil War itself
#35 EINSTEIN: His Life And Universe by Walter Isaacson. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countown. A great lesson on physics and all that other crap Einstien was good at. But the book's main theme. Relationships are hard. Even Einstein got divorced. So what, all you married people think you're smarter than Einstein?
#34 JESSIE JAMES: Last Rebel Of The Civil War by T. J. Stiles. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. This is the Bio of the real Jessie James, not the Bio of that idiot reality TV jackass who married Sandra Bullock. In this Bio, Stiles shows us the what a cold-blooded and murderous coward Jessie James really was. He was a true terrorist of the old south not to be admired.
#33 THE DISCOVORIES: A History Of Man's Search To Know His World And Himself by Daniel J. Boorston. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Pretty much a history of everything in the world (a very thick book needless to say).
#32 NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD: The Men Who built The Transcontinental Railroad by Stephen E. Ambrose: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Everything you wanted to know about laying railroad tracks from one coast to the other. The books main theme--if you want it done fast, let the chinese do most of the work.
#31 JIMMY STEWART: A Biography by Marc Elliot: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Who's seen the movie Harvey? One of my favorites. This book is a great look at the life of one of Hollywood's best actors. Plus he was a World War II hero. Jimmy Stewart is an American treasure
#30 Guns, Germs, And Steel: The Fates OF Human Societies by Jared Diamond: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Diamond traces the rise and fall of human societies through DNA evidence and other factors. And no, there is no DNA support for the Book Of Mormon's claim that the Aztecs, Mayans, Mowhawks, and Navajos were Jewish
#29 FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS by James Bradley: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. If you dont wanna read this then just watch the movie. I know how lazy ya'll are.
#28 SEABISCUIT: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Who woulda thought a biography of a horse could be so gripping and moving. And yes, for my lazy facebook friends, feel free to just watch the movie.
#27 THE DEVIL'S TEETH: A True Story Of Obsession And Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Everything you wanted to know about great white sharks. And if you live near San Fransisco, I suggest that you do NOT go in the water
#26 THE GOD DELUSION by Richard Dawkins. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. I think the title of this book speaks for itself. If my imaginary friend ever asks me to preform blood sacrifice in his honor I will respectfuly say f$%#k you! This post also officially counts as 'Durfee's Angry Atheist Facebook Rant Of The Month'
#25 AMERICAN SPHYNX: The Character Of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis. It has been a LOOONG time since i read this. But i just remember i really dug it. In fact I think another book by Jseph Ellis made my list somewhere coming up.
#24 BAND OF BROTHERS by Stephen E Ambrose: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Or if you're one of my lazy facebook friends you can just watch the mini-series I posted below, thank you very much
#23 LINDBERGH by A Scott Berg. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. I loved this Pulitzer Prize winning Bio of Charles Lindbergh. His flight over the Atlantic in the Spirit of St Louis---harrowing
#22 BLUE BLOOD by Edward Conlon: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The best (and maybe only) real-life look at a NYC cop's life on the job. About 500 pages of gripping, and oft times, hillarious stories
#21 NELSON"S TRAFALGAR: The Battle That Changed The World by Roy Adkins: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Ever wanna know what it's like to be on a wooden battle ship being blasted by cannonballs? Well, here ya go. Turns out it ain't all that fun
#20 NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY: The Life Of Joseph Smith by Fawn M Brodie: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Sure most Mormons think this book is an anti-Mormon look at Joseph Smith, but then again, most Mormons have never read it, nor have they ever read much of anything about their own religion
#19 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS by H G Bissinger: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Yup, before there was the movie or the TV show there was the book. And it was a perty darn good one too
#18 JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Winner of the Pulitzer prize. I just like everything by this writer. Plus this is the book was the inspiration for the greaat HBO series on John Adams
#17 UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN: A Story Of Violent Faith by John Krakauer. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Yes, it's about the dangers of religion, Mormonism to be specific. That is all I will say. I consider Krakauer to be an American treasure. 3 of his books made my non-fiction list.
#16 A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING by Bill Bryson: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. This book is basically a short history of nearly everything. And Bryson has a way of explaining Everything in a very understandable and funny way
#15 D-DAY by Stephen E Ambrose: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Reading this was seriously more gripping, shocking, and moving than the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan. No Horror novel could ever eclipse this for shear terror. The men who fought in World War II, heros all
#13 OVER THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation Of The Globe by Laurence Bergreen. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. I apologize if i spelled terrifying, circumnavigation, magellan, or opologize wrong
#12 MANHUNT: The Twelve Day Chase For Lincolns Killer by James L Swanson: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Ever wanted to know why Lincoln was assassinated, who planned it, how they pulled it off, well here ya go.
#11 THE FIRST AMERICAN: The Life And Times Of Benjamin Franklin by H W Brands. Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. About 700 pages, but reads like an adventure novel. Fantastic
#10 UNBROKEN: A World War II Story Of Survival Resilience And Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. This great story by the author of Seabiscuit should be required reading for every American
#9 THE END OF FAITH: Religion, Terror, And The Future Of Reason by Sam Harris: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Unlike me, Sam Harris is not an bitter angry atheist loon. He's just a guy who just makes common sense arguments for using reason and logic in matters of faith.
#8 FLYBOYS by James Bradley: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The most haunting and gruesome World War II book ever written. The harrowing story of a group of pilots shot down near an enemy-occupied Pacific island. By the author of FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. Ever wanted to know the fate of George Bush Sr's squadron, or how he escaped capture? Well here you go
#7 THE MORMON MURDERS: A True Story Of Greed, Forgery, Deciet, And Death by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Second book about Mark Hoffman's forgeries, murders, and bombings in SLC that made my list. Was obsessed with this subject whilst in college. Gordon B Hinckley and Dallin H Oaks true colors shine through here. Oh, and Mark Hoffman, a bit of a con-man too.
#6 IN THE HEART OF THE SEA: The Tragedy Of The Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The most harrowing sea adventure i have ever read. And all you ever wanted to know about whaling too
#5 THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY: Murder, Magic, And Madness At The Fair That Changed The World by Erik Larson: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown: One man is working for the Amercian dream, another man is creating a serial killing empire, all within blocks of each other. EVERYONE I have ever recommended this book to has LOVED it. A must read.
#4 INTO THIN AIR: A Personal Account Of The Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. The third Krakauer book to make my list. As i said before, as a writer, Krakauer is an American Treasure. I read Into Thin Air in one sitting, fingers gripping the book, knuckles white with tension and strain. This is why I love great books written by great writers.
#3 BADASSES: The Legend Of Snake, Foo, Dr Death, And John Maddens Oakland Raiders by Peter Richmond: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. Did anyone ever think I wouldnt be mentioning the RAIDERS at some point.
#2 THE DIRT: Confessions Of The Worlds Most Notorious Rock Band MOTLEY CRUE by Neil Strauss: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. After reading this you will need to take a shower just to clean off. THEE dirtiest book ever written. Thus the title. UNPUTDOWNABLE!!! I pray to Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, and Mick Mars.
#1 ON WRITING: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King: Durfee's top 50 non-fiction books countdown. If you are a writer this is a must read. If you are a writer and you havent read it, well, then you are prolly not a very good writer. And thus, my non-fiction books countdown comes to a close. Thanks for your participation.