Narrative nonfiction, also known as literary nonfiction, uses storytelling techniques to tell a true story. Here are some examples across different categories:
Memoir/Autobiography:
* "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls: A moving account of Walls' unconventional childhood with a free-spirited artist mother and a brilliant but alcoholic father.
* "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt: A poignant and humorous tale of McCourt's impoverished childhood in Ireland.
* "Educated" by Tara Westover: A powerful story of a young woman who breaks free from her fundamentalist Mormon upbringing and finds her own path through education.
Biography:
* "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson: A comprehensive and captivating biography of the Apple co-founder.
* "King: A Life" by Jonathan Eig: A detailed and nuanced portrait of Martin Luther King Jr.
* "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot: A fascinating exploration of the life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells have been instrumental in medical research.
Travel Writing:
* "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer: A thrilling account of Chris McCandless' journey to live off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness.
* "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert: A woman's search for meaning and happiness through travel, spirituality, and self-discovery.
* "The Motorcycle Diaries" by Ernesto "Che" Guevara: A young Guevara's travels across Latin America, offering insights into his early life and revolutionary spirit.
Historical Nonfiction:
* "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson: A chilling and captivating tale of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and the architect who designed it, alongside the story of a serial killer who terrorized the city.
* "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand: The inspiring true story of Louis Zamperini, a World War II Olympian who survived a plane crash and spent years in a Japanese POW camp.
* "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin" by Timothy Snyder: A powerful and meticulously researched account of the violence and atrocities committed in Eastern Europe during the 20th century.
Science Writing:
* "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared Diamond: A thought-provoking examination of the historical development of civilizations.
* "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History" by Elizabeth Kolbert: A chilling exploration of the ongoing mass extinction event and its impact on the planet.
* "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson: A witty and engaging overview of the scientific discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe.
Other examples:
* "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot: A combination of biography, science writing, and ethical exploration.
* "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote: A groundbreaking true crime narrative that blurred the lines between fiction and nonfiction.
* "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer: A gripping account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.
This is just a small selection of the vast range of narrative nonfiction available. By exploring this genre, you can discover compelling stories of human experience, history, science, and more.