“It’s not always necessary to be strong, but to feel strong.”
Sometimes, the most unbelievable stories aren’t found in the fiction aisles – they come from real life. These true story books prove that reality can be far stranger than anything an author’s imagination is capable of conjuring up. From shocking non-fiction books about wild historical events to unbelievable true story books that defy logic, these gripping reads will leave you questioning what’s possible. Whether you love true crime books, real-life mysteries, or simply enjoy discovering crazy but true books, our list here at What We Reading has something for you. Each book tells a story so astonishing that if it hadn’t been documented, you might not believe it really happened. If you’re looking for the best non-fiction books that are stranger than fiction, keep reading – you won’t want to miss these jaw-dropping true tales.
The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, And The Quest For Earth’s Ultimate Trophy – Paige Williams
First up on our list of the best true story books is Paige Williams’ story of one of the audacious sales in history, The Dinosaur Artist. This unbelievable tale follows Eric Prokopi, a Florida fossil hunter who became entangled in an international smuggling scandal after selling a rare Mongolian dinosaur skeleton at an auction. What began as a harmless passion – excavating and selling fossils – soon became a legal and ethical nightmare involving black-market deals, high-stakes auctions, and the Mongolian government’s fight to reclaim its stolen history.
Williams deftly blends real-life mystery with investigative journalism, unveiling a world where collectors, scientists and smugglers all clash over the remains of the terrible lizards that roamed the Earth before us. The book reads like a thriller, exposing the dark sides of the fossil trade and the moral dilemmas over who truly owns history.
Check Out The Best Dinosaur Books For Every Palaeontologist
Killers Of The Flower Moon: The Osage Murders And The Birth Of The FBI – David Grann
David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon is a true story book so shocking it feels like fiction. This meticulously researched story uncovers the chilling murders of the affluent Osage Nation members in 1920s Oklahoma – crimes committed to stealing their lucrative oil rights. As Osage people were taken out, either shot, poisoned or vanishing under mysterious circumstances, local authorities failed to look into things. It was up to the newly formed FBI, led by J. Edgar Hoover, to step in and uncover the full scope of the conspiracy at play.
Grann’s gripping narrative blends the best true crime books with history, chronicling a deep web of intrigue, greed and racial injustice. The book reads like a thriller but is tragically real, making it one of the most shocking non-fiction books for anyone who loves real-life mysteries that reveal lesser-known secrets.
Unbroken: A World War II Story Of Survival, Resilience And Redemption – Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken is one of the most empowering true story books, charting the extraordinary survival story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini during the Second World War. What begins as an inspiring sports story takes a harrowing turn when Zamperini’s plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Stranded at sea for 47 days with little food or water, he grapples with sharks, starvation and the relentless sun. Yet, his fight for survival doesn’t conclude there – rescued by enemy forces, he is thrown into a hellish Japanese POW camp, enduring unimaginable cruelty.
Author Laura Hillenbrand’s masterful storytelling helps to make Unbroken one of the most unbelievable true stories ever written, capturing the resilience, endurance and human will to survive perfectly.
Area 51: An Uncensored History Of America’s Top Secret Military Base – Annie Jacobsen
Annie Jacobsen’s Area 51 pulls back the curtain on one of the most secretive military bases in the world, the United States’ own Area 51. Based on declassified documents and firsthand accounts from former employees, this unbelievable true story book reveals the hidden secrets behind America’s most infamous classified facility. While many associate Area 51 with UFOs and extraterrestrial conspiracies, the real story is even more shocking. Jacobsen uncovers Cold War-era espionage, experimental aircraft, nuclear testing and government secrets that had been buried for years.
Tying investigative journalism with gripping storytelling, Area 51 is a must-read for those who love real-life mystery books that expose hidden truths. Whether you’re fascinated by military history, government secrecy or bizarre technological advancements, this shocking non-fiction book guarantees to challenge everything you thought you knew about the world’s most mysterious airbase.
The Man From The Train: The Solving Of A Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery – Bill James And Rachel McCarthy James
The Man from the Train is a gripping true crime account that unravels a forgotten but harrowing spree that spread across America in the early 1900s. Statistician and baseball writer Bill James, along with his daughter, Rachel, take readers on an incredible investigation to track down an elusive serial killer responsible for dozens of brutal axe murders in small towns across the nation.
This unbelievable true story book reads like a real-life detective novel, as James uses meticulous research and data analysis to piece together crimes that left authorities perplexed for over a century. His shocking conclusion? The murders, long believed to be isolated incidents, were likely the work of a single man who travelled by train, striking without warning. For fans of true crime books and real-life mystery reads, The Man from the Train is a chilling journey in America’s dark past, revealing that reality is often more terrifying than fiction.
The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story Of The Origins Of The Ebola Virus – Richard Preston
Richard Preston whisks readers inside high-security laboratories and the jungles of Africa where deadly viruses emerge with horrifying consequences as he charts the real-life origins of the Ebola virus and its near outbreak in the United States in The Hot Zone. The book follows scientists and military personnel as they race to contain an Ebola-like virus that appeared in a research facility near Washington D.C., revealing just how close the world came to catastrophe.
One of the most unbelievable true story books, The Hot Zone reads like a medical thriller but is all the more shocking because it is real. Preston’s chilling narrative explores the power of nature’s deadliest pathogens, making it one of the most shocking non-fiction books about science, disease and high-stakes investigations.
Into The Wild – Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a powerful and heartbreaking true story book that charts the life of Richard McCandless, a young man who gave up his privileged life to live in the Alaskan wilderness. Driven by a desire for freedom and self-discovery, McCandless severed ties with his family, gave away his savings, and set out on a journey across America. His adventure, however, ended tragically with the young adventurer becoming stranded in the wild.
Krakauer’s work explores McCandless’ motivations, unravelling the philosophical beliefs that led him to abandon civilisation in search of something deeper. This is a poignant tale of idealism, survival and the harsh realities of nature. If you love stories that explore human nature and the extremes of adventure, Into the Wild promises a gripping and thought-provoking read.
Check Out The Best Books Like Into The Wild
The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story – Ann Rule
Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me is a chilling book that reveals the dark secrets of one of America’s most infamous serial killers – Ted Bundy. Written by a true crime novelist who was once a close friend and confidant of Bundy, this unbelievable true story book is both a personal account and a deep dive into the psychology of a monster. Rule’s firsthand experience with Bundy makes this book an extraordinary blend of memoir and piece of investigative journalism.
As Bundy’s crimes escalate, Rule grapples with the realisation that the man she thought she knew was keeping a sinister and terrifying secret. The Stranger Beside Me reads like a real-life thriller, with shocking twists and emotional depth that is sure to keep you hooked.
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story Of America’s Shining Women – Kate Moore
Kate Moore tells the harrowing tale of a young group of women who worked as dial painters in the 1920s, unknowingly exposing themselves to lethal doses of radium. Moore’s meticulously researched work follows these women as they suffer the devastating effects of radium poisoning, all while fighting for justice against the companies who knowingly put them all at risk.
The unbelievable true story sheds light on the exploitative nature of workers, especially women, during the industrial boom of the early twentieth century. It’s a haunting exploration of courage, resilience and the struggle for workers’ rights. The story of The Radium Girls is a tragic, yet inspiring testament to the strength of those who stand up against injustice.
Check Out These Groundbreaking History Books You Haven’t Heard Of
The Mothman Prophecies – John A. Keel
The Mothman Prophecies by John Keel is a spine-tingling true story book that explores the mysterious events surrounding the sightings of a cryptic creature known as the Mothman in Point Pleasant, Virginia, during the 1960s. The book curates together reports of strange sightings, unexplained phenomena and eerie premonitions, all culminating in the catastrophic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967.
Keel delves into the supernatural, the unexplained, and the disturbing, offering a unique blend of investigative journalism and paranormal storytelling. The Mothman Prophecies is another incredible tale that reads like an unsettling mystery, blurring the lines of reality and the unknown as readers explore the paranormal, government conspiracies and eerie real-life events.
The Ghost Map: The Story Of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic – And How It Changed Science, Cities And The Modern World – Steven Johnson
Written by Steven Johnson, The Ghost Map is a story that centres on Dr John Snow, a physician who challenged the prevailing beliefs of Victorian England to uncover the source of the deadly cholera epidemic in 1854 London – contaminated drinking water. Through meticulous research and groundbreaking investigation, Snow created a map that not only identified the source of the outbreak but also revolutionised the way in which we understand epidemiology.
In addition to charting Snow’s investigation, The Ghost Map explores the social and technological conditions that allowed the outbreak to spread and the transformative impact it had on urban planning, public health and science. For anyone interested in books that intersect science and history, this true story offers an unforgettable look at one of the most pivotal moments in medical history.
Lost In Shangri-La: A True Story Of Survival, Adventure And The Most Incredible Rescue Mission Of World War II – Mitchell Zuckoff
Lost in Shangri-La is a riveting tale that chronicles a World War II-era adventure gone awry, as a group of American soldiers and civilians crash-land in a remote, uncharted valley in New Guinea. Michell Zuckoff guides readers through this incredible true story as the survivors desperately wrestle with a wild, hostile environment full of unknown dangers, including the indigenous tribes that had been isolated for centuries.
Zuckoff expertly recounts the gripping story of their journey, blending survival, adventure and the awe-inspiring landscape of the hidden valley. As the survivors grapple with the challenges they are confronted with, their story becomes an incredible testament to human resilience and the power of spirit.
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, And The Natural History Heist Of The Century – Kirk Wallace Johnson
Kirk Wallace Johnson’s The Feather Thief is another incredible true story book that blends true crime, natural history and eccentricity. This unbelievable true tale uncovers the bizarre story of a young man who stole rare and priceless bird feathers from a British museum in 2009. The culprit, a passionate fly-tying enthusiast, sought these feathers to create elaborate fishing flies for wealthy collectors, triggering an international investigation that revealed the dark side of the world of rare bird collections.
Johnson’s investigative piece immerses readers in the history of bird feather collecting, the black market trade in exotic bird species, and the obsessive world of fly-tying. The Feather Thief is a fascinating exploration of greed, obsession and the lengths individuals are willing to go to for rare treasures.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
