Books Politicians Recommend Most
Based on 1626 sourced recommendations from 42 politicians. Updated October 31, 2026.
1. The Bible
By Unknown/Other
Recommended by 5 of 42 politicians
- Hillary Clinton Source
- Donald Trump Source
- Winston Churchill Source
- Michael Bloomberg Source
- Barack Obama Source
At the risk of appearing predictable, the Bible was and remains the biggest influence on my thinking.
Source2. Team of Rivals
By Doris Kearns Goodwin
Recommended by 4 of 42 politicians
A few classics: ... - Team of Rivals, Goodwin
Source3. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
By Walter Isaacson
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source4. Steve Jobs
By Walter Isaacson
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. I absolutely love to hear stories about people who have tremendous vision; and when you talk about vision, Steve Jobs has to be in the conversation.
Source5. One Hundred Years of Solitude
By Gabriel García Márquez
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
A few classics: ... - 100 Years of Solitude, García Márquez
Source6. Long Walk To Freedom
By Nelson Mandela
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.
Source7. Song of Solomon
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
I think Toni Morrison’s writings — particularly “Song of Solomon” is a book I think of when I imagine people going through hardship. That it’s not just pain, but there’s joy and glory and mystery.
Source8. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
By John le Carré
Recommended by 3 of 42 politicians
A while back, I revisited a few of the books that made an impact on me as a young man, influencing how I think about family, faith, race, politics and America
Source9. The Wealth of Nations
By Adam Smith
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
10. An American Marriage
By Tayari Jones
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
11. The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I loved The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Source12. Beloved
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
you can't go wrong by reading or re-reading the collected works of Toni Morrison. Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, everything else — they're transcendent, all of them.
Source13. Caste
By Isabel Wilkerson
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
As 2020 comes to a close, I wanted to share my annual lists of favorites. I’ll start by sharing my favorite books this year, deliberately omitting what I think is a pretty good book – A Promised Land – by a certain 44th president. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did.
Source14. The Splendid and the Vile
By Erik Larson
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Book of the month: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
Source15. The Bluest Eye
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
you can't go wrong by reading or re-reading the collected works of Toni Morrison. Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, everything else — they're transcendent, all of them.
Source16. Treasure Island
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
My father gave me Treasure Island, and I remember the delight with which I devoured it.
Source17. The Anxious Generation
By Jonathan Haidt
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I am totally convinced by the research by, you know, Jonathan Haidt, others, in The Anxious Generation book that he published, as well as other researchers, that we have to get kids off their phones.
Source18. Becoming
By Michelle Obama
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Becoming by Michelle Obama (obviously my favorite!)
Source19. The Bhagavad Gita
By Eknath Easwaran
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
A few classics: ... - Bhagavad Gita
Source20. Sula
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
you can't go wrong by reading or re-reading the collected works of Toni Morrison. Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, everything else — they're transcendent, all of them.
Source21. Gulliver's Travels
By Jonathan Swift
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
The Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's Travels are dear to British homes.
Source22. A Wrinkle in Time
By Madeleine L'Engle
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I was obsessed with these books as a kid! Looking forward to taking my niece to see this.
Source23. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
By Edward Gibbon
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I devoured Gibbon. I rode triumphantly through it from end to end and enjoyed it all.
Source24. Wolf Hall
By Hilary Mantel
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source25. Playing in the Dark
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source26. Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It
By Richard V. Reeves
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I've been reading Richard Reeves' fantastic book, Of Boys and Men... Here are just a couple of highlights that I've made as I work my way through this book, which I would absolutely recommend to everyone.
Source27. Dear Ijeawele, Or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
Source28. The Joy Luck Club
By Amy Tan
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
This novel opened my eyes, not only to the distinct and special traditions of the Chinese-American culture but also to the ways in which immigrant women of different generations adapted and adjusted to life in this country.
Source29. Americanah
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
Source30. Exit West
By Mohsin Hamid
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
31. Purple Hibiscus
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
Source32. Tar Baby
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source33. A Mercy
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source34. Parting the Waters
By Taylor Branch
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
35. Educated
By Tara Westover
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Tara Westover’s Educated is a remarkable memoir of a young woman raised in a survivalist family in Idaho who strives for education while still showing great understanding and love for the world she leaves behind.
Source36. Paradise
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source37. Hello Beautiful
By Ann Napolitano
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
38. Our Unfinished March: The Violent Past and Imperiled Future of the Vote
By Eric H. Holder Jr., Sam Koppelman
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
It's a book worth adding to your summer reading list.
Source39. The Federalist Papers
By Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Hamilton cited protecting against foreign influence as a justification for the Electoral College in Federalist Paper No. 68—and now it was handing victory to
Source40. Half of a Yellow Sun
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
Source41. Home
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source42. Love
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source43. Jazz
By Toni Morrison
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand, Walter Isaacson, Barbara Kingsolver, John le Carré, John Grisham, Hilary Mantel, Toni Morrison, Anna Quindlen and Alice Walker.
Source44. Anything Is Possible
By Elizabeth Strout
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
I love Elizabeth Strout and all of her Olive and Olive Kitteridge and everything that she's written.
Source45. The Word Collector
By Peter H. Reynolds
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
46. We Should All be Feminists
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
Source47. Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism
By Anne Applebaum
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Applebaum's newest book is called Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism. I hope you will all pick it up and recommend it to your friends.
Source48. Dignity in a Digital Age
By Ro Khanna
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Ro Khanna's new book, "Dignity in a Digital Age," is a smart take on how we use technology to bring equality
Source49. The Honourable Schoolboy
By John le Carré
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
It’s 600 pages, it’s mostly description, there is almost nothing that happens. But it’s fascinating!
Source50. Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--And How to Think Deeply Again
By Johann Hari
Recommended by 2 of 42 politicians
Stolen Focus, by Johann Hari, can help everybody who reads this email. It blew our minds... I love this book because it gives some fantastic advice about how to begin to disconnect in your personal life.
Source
Every Politician on Ultimate Book List
- Hillary Clinton — 763 recommendations
- Barack Obama — 421 recommendations
- Donald Trump — 223 recommendations
- Michael Bloomberg — 56 recommendations
- Arnold Schwarzenegger — 48 recommendations
- Winston Churchill — 33 recommendations
- Michelle Obama — 32 recommendations
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — 17 recommendations
- Mahatma Gandhi — 6 recommendations
- Ayaan Hirsi Ali — 4 recommendations
- Cory Booker — 4 recommendations
- Ed Zschau — 4 recommendations
- Kamala Harris — 4 recommendations
- Bernie Sanders — 2 recommendations
- Elizabeth Warren — 2 recommendations
- Al Gore — 1 recommendations
- Andrew Yang — 1 recommendations
- Ben Sasse — 1 recommendations
- Bill Clinton — 1 recommendations
- Marc Goodman — 1 recommendations
- Newt Gingrich — 1 recommendations
- Stanley A. McChrystal — 1 recommendations
- Brian Miller — 0 recommendations
- C. P. Snow — 0 recommendations
- Edward Gibbon — 0 recommendations
- Frank White — 0 recommendations
- Harold H. Bloomfield — 0 recommendations
- Harry Browne — 0 recommendations
- Henry Kissinger — 0 recommendations
- James Madison — 0 recommendations
- Jennie Weiss Block — 0 recommendations
- Jim Webb — 0 recommendations
- John Grisham — 0 recommendations
- John Kenneth Galbraith — 0 recommendations
- Nathaniel Fick — 0 recommendations
- Nelson Mandela — 0 recommendations
- Norman Angell — 0 recommendations
- Richard Stengel — 0 recommendations
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — 0 recommendations
- Robert Rubin — 0 recommendations
- Ron Paul — 0 recommendations
- Strobe Talbott — 0 recommendations
Frequently asked questions
What is the top book recommended by politicians?
The Bible ranks first, recommended by 5 politicians.
How is the ranking counted?
We count each person once per book, using only public people, books and approved recommendations. Books are ranked by recommenders in this group, then by total public recommenders. Source links are shown where available.
How many politicians are included?
This group includes 42 public profiles, including profiles with no public recommendations. 8 have recommended at least 10 books.