10 Books recommended by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Thirty Years War
Author :C. V. Wedgwood

"God, I love this book. It's the history of an utterly depressing war with no real nobility, that ultimately descends into cannibalism. Right up my alley." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

The Waterworks
Author :E.L. Doctorow

"What a strange and beautiful book. The story of a postbellum American newspaper editor investigating the undead." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

The Great Gatsby
Author :F. Scott Fitzgerald

"I'm a sucker for efficiency. This book gets so much out of what is, ultimately, a rather slim story. I adore it." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

The Country Between Us
Author :Carolyn Forche

"Another book of poetry that taught me what the form was. [The author] has a beautiful sense of rhythm." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

Battle Cry of Freedom
Author :James M. McPherson

"The definitive history of the Civil War. One of the greatest works of history I've ever read and arguably the best one volume history in existence." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

The Fire Next Time
Author :James Baldwin

"Basically the finest essay I've ever read." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

Sweet Soul Music
Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom
Author :Peter Guralnick

"History of soul music, told in profiles. I read this is as young man really trying to understand what journalism and history meant. Spent a lot of time meditating on Sam and Dave after this one." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

Neon Vernacular
Author :Yusef Komunyakaa

"Probably my favorite living poet. No on else taught me more about how important it was to think about how words make people feel. It's not enough for people to know something is true. They have to feel it's true." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]

The Age of Innocence
Author :Edith Wharton

"Again, I like this book for its willingness to embrace the tragic. No happy endings. The book is a defense of elitism, something I guess I oppose. But I found it credible, here." - Ta-Nehisi Coates [Source]
FAQs
Q1: What books have Ta-Nehisi Coates recommended?
Ta-Nehisi Coates has recommended many books for both adult and children, includingbut not limited to: "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin, "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson, "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead, "Sister Outsider" by Audre Lorde, "Kindred" by Octavia Butler, and "The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein.
Q2: What other types of writing has Ta-Nehisi Coates produced?
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a prolific writer, best known for his essays, memoirs and books. His books include "Between the World and Me", "We Were Eight Years in Power", and "The Water Dancer". Additionally, his works have been featured in a variety of publications, including The Atlantic,TIME, and The Washington Post.
Q3: What type of topics does Ta-Nehisi Coates discuss?
Ta-Nehisi Coates focuses on a variety of topics that relate to racism and the ongoing legacy of slavery in the United States. He also discusses broader social issues pertaining to contemporary society, such as politics, education, and the role of technology.
Q4: What is the most frequently used themes in Ta-Nehisi Coates' work?
Throughout his body of work, Ta-Nehisi Coates frequently explores themes of identity, history, and culture. He often compares his experience of racism growing up in Baltimore to the history of how racism has shaped and impacted the lives of Black Americans throughout the nation.
Q5: How can I access Ta-Nehisi Coates' published works?
Ta-Nehisi Coates' works are widely available online and in print. You can find his books at most major bookstores as well as online retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo. Additionally, many of his essays and articles can be found for free online, either through Coates' own website or through various publications.