Popular Non-Fiction Books

Summary

All items listed in the REAL resource bank were suggested by research participants of the ‘Exploring Race and Ethnicity on Social Science Degree Programmes’ project, or colleagues at University of Brighton, as resources they had found useful in their own teaching. They are not intended as definitive recommendations from the project team, and readers should make their own judgements as to which items would be most useful and appropriate for their needs. Similarly, the short summaries of each listed item are meant as approximate indicators rather than comprehensive synopses and should act primarily as a starting point for further exploration.

Akala (2019) Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire. John Murray Press. ISBN: 9781473661233

Akala explores the enduring impact of British colonialism on race and class, linking historical oppression to contemporary social inequalities. He interweaves personal memoir, history, and political analysis to reveal systemic racism, class barriers, and cultural misconceptions, urging awareness and action to challenge entrenched hierarchies in modern Britain.

Andrews, K. (2023) The Psychosis of Whiteness: Surviving the Insanity of a Racist World. Penguin. ISBN: 9780141992389

Kehinde Andrews explores the pervasive delusions and systemic racism underpinning contemporary society, examining how societal denial of racism and distorted psychological narratives harm Black and brown communities. He uses sharp analysis and wit to reveal the absurdities that sustain racial inequality and the human costs borne by those affected.

 Angelou, M. (2024) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Virago (first published 1969). ISBN: 9780349017068

In her powerful autobiographical narrative, Maya Angelou reflects on her childhood in the segregated American South, tracing a journey from trauma and silence to self-expression and strength. Through themes of racism, identity, and resilience, she illuminates how language and self-worth become tools of empowerment against oppression and inequality.

 Baggini , J. (2018) How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy. Granta Books. ISBN: 9781783784837

Challenging the Western monopoly on defining reason and knowledge, Julian Baggini journeys through global philosophical traditions to uncover diverse ways of thinking. By engaging with Asian, African, Islamic, and Indigenous perspectives, he deepens understanding of ethics, identity, and culture, inviting both scholars and general readers to embrace a genuinely plural vision of philosophy.

 Boakye, J. (2019) Black, Listed. Dialogue Books. ISBN: 9780349700564

Through a blend of memoir and cultural critique, Jeffrey Boakye examines Black British identity, unpacking the social forces, labels, and stereotypes that shape masculinity and belonging. Drawing on history, language, and lived experience, his work engages scholars and general readers alike, reclaiming narrative agency and challenging prevailing racial discourses in contemporary Britain.

 Coates, T. (2016) Between the World and Me. The Text Publishing Company. ISBN: 9781925240702.      

In a deeply personal and historically grounded narrative, Ta-Nehisi Coates writes to his son to explore race, identity, and the Black experience in America. Blending memoir, social critique, and reportage, he examines systemic oppression, the vulnerability of Black bodies, and the pursuit of dignity, offering readers a profound lens on history, injustice, and resilience.

Dabiri, E. (2021) What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition. Penguin. ISBN: 9780141996738

Emma Dabiri offers a sharp critique of conventional allyship, urging readers to interrogate whiteness, capitalism, and the limits of guilt-based antiracism. Blending scholarship with personal insight, she reframes racial injustice through coalition-building and structural analysis, proposing more collective, transformative approaches to dismantling racial and class inequalities.

 DiAngelo, R. (2019) White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Penguin. ISBN: 9780141990569

Robin DiAngelo explores why many white people respond defensively when confronted with racism, coining “white fragility” to describe these reactions. Drawing on her work in whiteness studies, she shows how such responses reinforce racial hierarchies and hinder honest dialogue, urging greater self-reflection, humility, and accountability in confronting systemic racism.

 Eddo-Lodge, R. (2018) Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race. Bloomsbury. ISBN: 9781408870587 

Reni Eddo-Lodge examines structural racism in Britain, uncovering its historical roots and present-day impacts. Critiquing liberal narratives and exposing white privilege, she centres the lived experiences of people of colour, advocating for recognition, accountability, and active anti-racist engagement. Her analysis offers essential insights for understanding and challenging racial inequality today.

 Hirsch, A. (2018) Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging. Vintage. ISBN: 9781784705039

Blending memoir and historical analysis, Afua Hirsch examines race, identity, and belonging in contemporary Britain. Highlighting the legacies of empire, immigration, and systemic racism, she reveals the tensions and contradictions faced by minorities and challenges the nation to confront its colonial past, offering both scholars and the public a vital perspective on British identity.

Jana, T. & Baran, M. (2023) Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions (2nd edition). Berrett-Koehler Publishers. ISBN: 9781523004348

This handbook examines how everyday comments can exclude or stereotype, offering practical language and strategies to encourage inclusion. Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran introduce “subtle acts of exclusion” to reframe microaggressions in a constructive, nonjudgmental way, helping readers recognise their impact and cultivate more equitable workplace interactions.

Kendi, I.X. (2017) Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. Bodley Head. ISBN: 9781847924957

Ibram Kendi traces the history of racist ideas in America, showing how they were deliberately created and perpetuated to justify inequality. The book examines key thinkers, policies, and social movements, revealing the ways racism has shaped American society and how understanding this history is essential to challenging and dismantling systemic racism.

Kendi, I.X. (2023) How to Be an Antiracist. Vintage. ISBN: 9781529111828

Combining memoir, history, and theory, Ibram Kendi argues that neutrality in the face of racism perpetuates inequality. He distinguishes between racist and antiracist ideas, urging readers to confront complicity and take active steps toward equity. His work offers a practical and transformative framework for understanding and combating systemic racism.

Khan, M. (ed.) (2020) It’s Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race. Picador. ISBN: 9781509886425

Bringing together seventeen writers, this anthology amplifies the voices of Muslim women whose perspectives are often sidelined. Edited by Mariam Khan, the essays confront stereotypes, Islamophobia, community pressures, and feminist debates, revealing the complex, diverse realities of Muslim womanhood through humour, candour, critique, and deeply personal reflection.

Lorde, A. (2018) Zami: A New Spelling of my Name – A Biomythography. Penguin (first published 1982). ISBN: 978-0241351086

Audre Lorde’s Zami: A New Spelling of My Name blends autobiography, mythology, and history to depict her coming of age as a Black lesbian poet in mid-20th-century America. Through vivid storytelling, Lorde explores identity, love, community, and resilience, redefining selfhood and womanhood within intersecting experiences of race, sexuality, and feminism.

Morrisson, T. (2017) The Origin of Others. Harvard University Press. ISBN: 9780674976450

Toni Morrison explores how concepts of “otherness” are constructed through race, fear, borders and belonging. Drawing on literature, history, and personal reflection, she examines how narratives of difference shape identity and power. Morrison urges readers to confront the psychological and cultural mechanisms that sustain racism and define who is considered human.

 Murray, D. (2023) The War on the West: How to Prevail in the Age of Unreason. HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780008492847

Douglas Murray argues that Western values and institutions are under threat from a combination of ideological movements, political correctness, and cultural relativism. He warns of societal decline if these trends go unchecked and calls for a reaffirmation of reason, free expression, and liberal principles to preserve Western civilisation. This book was suggested by participants who felt it was important to expose students to both right-wing and left-wing perspectives on issues of race and ethnicity in society.

Nittle, N. (2019) Recognizing Microaggressions. Enslow Publishing. ISBN: 9781978504660

Nadra Nittle explains how everyday slights—such as questioning someone’s achievements or expressing unfounded suspicion—function as racial microaggressions. Drawing on relatable examples, she clarifies why these subtle behaviours are harmful and how they reflect broader patterns of bias. The book also offers guidance on recognising, contextualising, and responding to these encounters.

Olusoga, D. (2017) Black and British: A Forgotten History. Pan Macmillan. ISBN: 9781447299769

This book uncovers the often-overlooked history of Black people in Britain, spanning centuries of migration, contribution, and struggle. David Olusoga combines archival research with storytelling to reveal the enduring presence and influence of Black Britons, challenging popular assumptions and highlighting the complexities of race, identity, and British history.

Saad, L.F. (2020) Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World. Quercus. ISBN: 9781529405101

Layla Saad provides a practical guide for examining personal complicity in white supremacy. Through reflection, journaling, and exercises, she encourages readers to recognise privilege, confront biases, and take action to dismantle systemic racism. The book blends personal accountability with broader social critique, empowering individuals to contribute to meaningful anti-racist change.

 Sanghera, S. (2021) Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain. Penguin Random House. ISBN: 9780241445310

Examining Britain’s imperial legacy, Sathnam Sanghera reveals how colonial histories continue to shape society, institutions, and national identity. He shows how empire informs race relations, social hierarchies, and public memory, highlighting the persistent influence of colonial narratives on contemporary politics, culture, and education, offering readers a critical lens on modern Britain.

Warsi, S. (2017) The Enemy Within: A Tale of Muslim Britain. Penguin. ISBN: 9780241276037

Sayeeda Warsi explores the experiences of Muslims in contemporary Britain, reflecting on identity, belonging, and societal prejudice. Drawing on personal insight and political perspective, she examines shifting public attitudes, policy challenges, and the pressures of being perceived as an outsider. The book combines candid analysis with clarity and wit to address pressing issues of inclusion.