Nonfiction Books

The ultimate guide for fans of the Fighting Illini With traditions, records, and lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every University of Illinois sports fan should know.

“Superb. Hiltzik makes a compelling case that California is the heartbeat of our nation.”—Douglas Brinkley, New York Times bestselling author of Silent Spring Revolution

From Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Hiltzik, a definitive new history of California—from the Spanish conquistadors to the Gold Rush to the state’s meteoric rise as a tech powerhouse and bulwark of progressivism—and of its indelible mark on the United States and the world.

“A fascinating and eye-opening look at how American schools have helped build and reinforce an infrastructure of racial inequality . . . a must-read for every American parent and educator.”—Esquire (Most Anticipated Books of 2025)

“This book will transform the way you see this country.”—Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

“At once narrative history, family chronicle and personal memoir… [a] luminous work of investigation and introspection.” –Wall Street Journal

National Humanities Medal recipient and two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize David Levering Lewis’s own family history that shifts our understanding of the larger American story

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail.