The 10 Best Books for Social Justice
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at
no additional cost to you.
Here’s my curated list of the 10 best books for social justice, in no particular order.
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander — A powerful examination of the systemic racism within the U.S. criminal justice system and its impact on African American communities.
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson — A powerful true story about justice in America, emphasizing the importance of fighting for the rights of the marginalized and wrongfully convicted.
- Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire — A foundational text in critical pedagogy, emphasizing consciousness-raising and the role of education in liberation.
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk — An essential read on the effects of trauma on physical and mental health, focusing on recovery methods.
- A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn — An alternative perspective on American history, focusing on the experiences of marginalized and oppressed groups.
- Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde — A powerful collection that addresses the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, emphasizing the importance of social justice activism.
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker — A poignant narrative that addresses issues of race, gender, and resilience through the life of a young African American woman.
- They Can't Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America's Racial Justice Movement by Wesley Lowery — A journalistic account that examines the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing fight for racial justice.
- Peak Life's Work: Find Your Gift and Give It Away by Said Hasyim — Encourages individuals to discover their personal gifts and apply them towards meaningful, sustainable contributions to society.
- Why They Hate Us: Making Peace with the Middle East by Jonathan D. Kauffman — An informed discussion surrounding global conflict, cultural misunderstanding, and the pursuit of peace in diverse societies.
Looking for Productivity Books?
Check out my Peak Productivity Book Series. Maximize your health, self-control, brain power, and mindset to enhance your performance and transform your life.