10 Best Social Science Books to Read in 2024

Social science plays an important role in shaping our life and sometimes even saves our lives. It helps make our society a better and safe place to live. Moreover, if you are passionate about doing something for the society and improving your kid’s life and education, then you need to know about social science.

Now that you know the importance of social science, you might wonder how I can get more knowledge about different aspects of the subject? The answer to this question books! Social science books are the best way to learn about the subject and understand it better.

Here in this post, we have mentioned some of the Best Social Science Books for you.

So let’s get started.

Best Social Science Books

Here is a list of the 10 best social science books that will help you in increasing your knowledge and understanding of the subject.

1. The Communist Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto

Author: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Latest Edition: 20 December 2017
Publisher: Fingerprint Publishing

The Communist Manifesto was first published in the 1848 European Revolutions. The manifesto explains the view of Marx and Engels during the intellectual and political collaboration.

While they were formulating the principles of dialectical materialism, they analyzed that labor creates wealth making capitalism exploitive and antithetical to freedom.

The latest edition of the Communist Manifesto includes a detailed introduction by experts like Gareth Stedman Jones, one of the leading experts on Marx and Marxism. The authors also offer a complete course for students interested in The Communist Manifesto. This book also explains where the world is standing today.

It outlines the communism theory, explains the material conception of history, and helps to present their theories and ideas of how socialism replaces capitalist society. Moreover, the book elaborates on the relationship between proletarians and bourgeoisie, the communists and the proletarians, and the other political parties.

You can buy this book here.

2. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

Caste (Oprah's Book Club) The Origins of Our Discontents

Author: Isabel Wilkerson
Latest Edition: 4 August 2020
Publisher: Random House

Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents is a nonfiction social science novel written by the most famous American Journalist, Isabel Wilkerson. It was published in August 2020 by the most famous publisher, Random House publications.

Caste focuses on racism in the USA, which is a part of the caste system. The caste system in the US is characterized by hierarchy, exclusion, inclusion, and purity. He talks about the caste system in America by comparing the people who belong to different caste and races to the caste system followed in Nazi Germany and India. He also talks about how the caste system shaped society and the people in the society.

In October 2020, Netflix announced the release of the film Caste directed by Ava DuVernay. Caste is a #1 New York bestselling novel and has been on the list for the National Book Award Longlist, Pulitzer Prize-winning, and #1 nonfiction book of the year.

This social science book is a powerful, illuminating, heartfelt nonfiction novel. Caste: The Origins Of Our Discontents book should be on top of Americans’ reading lists!

You can buy this book here.

3. Guns, Germs, And Steel

Guns, Germs And Steel 20th Anniversary Edition

Author: Jared Diamond
Latest Edition: 30 April 1998
Publisher: RHUK

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates Of Human Societies was previously known as “Guns, Germs, and Steel: A Short History Of Everybody For The Last 13,000 Years.” This book was published in 1997 as a non-fiction book written by Jared Diamond.

In the year 1998, it won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction and the Aventis Prize for the best social science books. In the year 2005, a documentary was released based on the book by the National Geographic Society.

This novel explains why the Eurasian and North African civilizations have survived and conquered others. At the same time, it argues against the idea that Eurasian hegemony is due to any form of Eurasian moral, intellectual, or inherent genetic superiority.

The author also explains that the gaps in the power and technology between human societies originate from environmental differences. Diamond also states that when the cultural or genetic differences favor Eurasians, these advantages occur because of the influence of geography on society and culture.

You can buy this book here.

4. Dawn Of Everything

The Dawn of Everything A New History of Humanity

Author: David Graeber and David Wengrow
Latest Edition: 9 November 2021
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

The Dawn Of Everything is about the civilizational theories that emerged in the 18th century. This has implications for making sense of human history today, including the invention of property, farming, democracy, slavery, civilization, and much more.

The authors have written this book after researching archaeology and anthropology. David shows how history is an interesting subject to learn through this book.

They explain different concepts about the state like what would happen if the agriculture and cities did not mean a plunge into domination and the status of the social and economic organizations? etc. The answers to these questions are unexpected, simple, and playful.

This book helps to enhance our thoughts and understanding of the human past and helps to understand the new forms of freedom. This book is filled with intellectual elements, curiosity, moral thoughts, and faith. It comes with black and white illustrations that inspire and focus more on the freedom of society.

You can buy this book here.

5. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow

Homo Deus A Brief History of Tomorrow

Author: Yuval Noah Harari
Latest Edition: 23 March 2017
Publisher: Vintage

Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari explains the future where we will face challenges. This book explores the dreams, ideas, and horrors that will help shape the 21st century.

It asks the readers some fundamental questions like protecting the fragile world from our own power? And what is there for us in the future?

It is a brilliant work that talks about where mankind is heading to. After reading this book, you will have deep thoughts and questions about your identity, intelligence, and consciousness.

Homo Deus is an entertaining and thought-provoking non-fiction book. It will make you feel wiser.

You can buy this book here.

6. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Latest Edition: January 7, 2002
Publisher: Back Bay Books

The bestselling author writes the Tripping Point of The Bomber Mafia. This book is a debut that helps to explore the science behind the trends in business, human behavior, and marketing.

According to the authors, The Tipping Point is a magical moment when your idea, social behavior, and trend cross a threshold, tip, and spreads as fast as a forest fire. In this book, Malcolm Gladwell explores and illuminates the tipping point phenomenon. He also says that this phenomenon is changing how people across the globe think about selling products.

This is a must-read because the author has written seven best New York Times bestsellers and is co-founder of Pushkin Industries. Moreover, he is on the Time 100 Most Influential people list too.

You can buy this book here.

7. Indian Polity – For Civil Services and Other State Examinations

Indian Polity - For Civil Services and Other State Examinations

Author: M. Laxmikanth
Latest Edition: 27 December 2019 (6th Edition)
Publisher: McGraw Hill

The 6th edition of Indian Polity is the most-recommended Polity book for candidates appearing for the Civil service exams and other state service examinations. It caters to the needs of the students appearing for these competitive examinations and postgraduates, academics and general readers, research scholars, and people interested in country politics, and civil and constitutional issues.

The book is divided into eighty chapters. The recently updated six chapters include- the National Commission for backward classes, the goods and services tax council, the National investigation agency, the role of regional parties, the coalition government, and the National disaster management.

The book also includes 16 appendices covering the Indian political and constitutional spectrum. The chapters are arranged according to the latest updates of the examination. Moreover, the social science book offers updated previous years’ question papers and practice questions for prelims and mains examination.

You can buy this book here.

8. Thinking, Fast and Slow

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Author: Daniel Kahneman
Latest Edition: April 2, 2013 (1st Edition)
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is the Major New York Times Bestseller and has sold over 2.6 million copies. In this book, the author, who is a world-famous psychologist, takes us on a tour of the mind and, at the same time, explains the two systems that are responsible for the way we think.

He talks about two systems: fast, emotional, and intuitive, while the other is slow, logical, and deliberative. He also states the consequences of overconfidence in corporate planning, difficulties predicting what makes people happy, and much more. These areas can be understood by knowing how the two systems can shape judgments and decisions.

Kahneman also reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how slow thinking can benefit us. This bestselling novel will change the lives of millions of readers.

This book is a must-buy for those who are interested in economics, cognitive science, human behavior, and psychology.

You can buy this book here.

9. Outliers: The Story of Success

Outliers The Story of Success

Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Latest Edition: 1 August 2013
Publisher: Penguin UK

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell is an inspiring book that shares wisdom about genius to show us what makes an ordinary person an overachiever.

In this bestselling book, the author discusses everyone, including famous celebrities, athletes, software billionaires, scientific professionals, and more. He explains the success stories of these people that are surprising and fascinating to read.

He also explains what our origin is, what we do, who we are, and everything that makes us all unique from each other.

You can buy this book here.

10. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

The 1619 Project A New Origin Story

Author: Nikole Hannah-Jones
Latest Edition: 16 November 2021
Publisher: One World

The 1619 Project is the #1 New York Times Bestseller and reveals the vision of the American past and present. It is also named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post.

The book improves our understanding of American history by talking about slavery and its legacy. This book is written by combining 18 essays exploring the legacy of slavery in America with 36 poems and a few fictional stories that highlight resistance, struggle, and oppression.

The book speaks to our current moment, contextualizing the practice of race and caste differences. It also reveals the long-glossed-over truths around our nation’s founding and construction. The book explains how slavery did not end and still continues to shape life in America.

You can buy this book here.

Conclusion

We all want the world to be safe for us to live happily, have dignity, and enjoy equal human rights. Social science offers a new perspective and understanding regarding how to deal with institutions and society. We all know social science is a vast subject and requires a lot of reading, knowledge, and guidance.

However, you need not worry. There are many books available that will help you enhance your knowledge of social science. Here we mentioned the 10 best social science books for you!

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