Politics books

Summer reading: the 50 hottest new books for a great escape

From pageturning thrillers and comic novels to an antidote to doomscrolling – our pick of the best new fiction and nonfiction. Plus 10 brilliant paperbacks, and 10 great reads for children and teens

Justine Jordan, David Shariatmadari and Imogen Russell Williams

25, Jun, 2022 @8:00 AM

The Playbook by Jennifer Jacquet review – how big business takes on science and wins

A ‘guide’ for companies looking to undermine unwelcome research exposes the corporate world’s dark arts

Bibi van der Zee

23, Jun, 2022 @8:00 AM

Leadership by Henry Kissinger review – lessons in diplomacy from a master of the dark arts

In this analysis of six national leaders, the grand old man of US politics offers a broad-brush history of international statecraft but ignores the death and destruction that sometimes resulted

Andrew Anthony

21, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

If We Break review: Hunter Biden as horror husband and political problem

Kathleen Buhle’s memoir in answer to a similar confessional from the president’s son makes uncomfortable reading

Lloyd Green

19, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

The Digital Republic by Jamie Susskind review – why the west was no match for the tech giants

The power of tech corporations is a threat to democracy, yet governments are reluctant to take action. This refreshing book picks apart the ideology that holds them back

John Naughton

19, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

A Way Out of No Way review: Raphael Warnock, symbol of hope for America

The Democratic Georgia senator has delivered an inspiring memoir, well-timed as the US tears itself apart

Charles Kaiser

18, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

The Social Distance Between Us by Darren McGarvey review – it’s a long, long way from Westminster

Darren McGarvey’s angry study of how ‘remote politics’ has robbed ordinary people of power has solutions that may make uncomfortable reading even for ‘progressives’

John Harris

12, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

Secret City: behind the untold gay history of DC politics

James Kirchick’s decade-in-the-making new book examines the queer people who have been demonised or erased in the making of America

Veronica Esposito

09, Jun, 2022 @7:02 AM

Kushner wrote memoir instead of pushing Trump to concede, book says

Jared Kushner took MasterClass from James Patterson and ‘batted out’ part of a first draft in two-week stretch after election

Martin Pengelly in New York

08, Jun, 2022 @5:04 PM

‘Biden blood only’: Hunter Biden’s ex-wife describes Secret Service exclusion

Kathleen Buhle will publish her memoir If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing next week

Martin Pengelly in New York

08, Jun, 2022 @6:00 AM

The big idea: is a world without violent conflict really possible?

Human beings will always hurt one another. It’s how we respond that’s crucial, says the Archbishop of Canterbury

Justin Welby

06, Jun, 2022 @11:30 AM

Because Our Fathers Lied review: Robert McNamara, Vietnam and a partial healing

The son of John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson’s defense secretary delivers a searing memoir of war, betrayal and love