Holiday Books Gift Guide: Engaging nonfiction about sports heroes, movie stars, physicists, L.A. and more

Part history, part road trip chronicle, Dickey takes a look at America's haunted locations such as the Winchester Mystery House, and what they tell us about our nation’s fears.

A collection of speeches and essays about life and the law from Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a.k.a. “the Notorious R.B.G.�

An exploration of the history of time travel that also asks why the concept has had such an outsize effect on the human imagination.

The philosopher, science historian and deep-sea diver combines his passions in a deeply intelligent book about intelligence, both human and cephalopod.

This deep dive into contemporary American protest movements, such as the Tea Party and Black Lives Matter, comes at an appropriate time for a starkly divided country.

This fun tale tracks the 1950s Italian film scene, aided by glamorous fashion designers, American films and their stars, whose bad behavior fueled the proto-paparazzi.

A deeply-researched, almost-forgotten story of two African-American albino brothers who were kidnapped around 1900 in Virginia and forced to perform in circuses.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist examines how the Vietnam War has resonated in the cultures and histories of Vietnam and the United States.

The London-based academic argues that the Syrian civil war is the result of several countries, including the United States and Russia, jockeying for power in the Middle East.

A collection of "This Modern World" comic strips from 2013 to 2016 from the irreverent, alternative political cartoonist Tomorrow.

The story of Hearst, who was kidnapped by political radicals in 1974 and later joined their cause, the dramatic criminal trial that followed and its powerful impact.

Inspired by a Princeton astronomy class that the three scientists taught together, this book provides an introductory look at the mysteries of the cosmos.

A look at how the famous footage of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination was recorded and its legacy in American culture, written by the granddaughter of the man who filmed it.

An illustrated history of the city’s most iconic eateries, from the early days of Musso and Frank (it’s still around) to the era of Wolfgang Puck.

Gomez is a child of immigrants; his breakthrough art riffs on familiar images while inserting domestic help, often people of color, into the picture. Weschler writes the text.

A chronicle of the hip Los Angeles neighborhood, which for decades has been home to authors, artists, musicians and activists.

L.A.’s mountain lion P-22, porpoises in San Francisco Bay, coyotes, wolves and the movement to create space in our cities to co-exist with wildlife.

Photographer Schwartzman and historian Gee present a heavily illustrated history of the 90-year-old jewel of the Los Angeles library system.

The 20-block region of L.A.’s Skid Row is the nation’s densest population of the homeless; this book examines the efforts (and mistakes) of police there.

The story of Peter Diamandis, the entrepreneur who organized a competition among teams vying to become the first civilians to successfully send a pilot into space.

In his new memoir, the San Francisco activist chronicles his years in the LGBTQ rights movement and his creation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

The Fox News anchor's memoir about her road to success in journalism, including details about her difficult interactions with Roger Ailes and Donald Trump.

A look at the life of Paul English, the quirky entrepreneur who sold his website Kayak for $2 billion, then immediately went to work trying to figure out how to donate it all to charity.

Bryant, who led the L.A. Lakers to five NBA championships, was phenomenal on the court. This biography looks at the shooting guard’s flaws as well as successes.

In this short, powerful memoir, the husband of a woman killed in the attack on the Bataclan Theater in Paris writes about his grief and his refusal to give in to bitterness.

The Washington Post reporter examines police violence against African-Americans and how communities and activists are trying to make a difference.

The author takes a look at the marriage of Ray Kroc, who made McDonald’s into a global empire, and his third wife, Joan, who eventually donated billions of dollars to charity (in ways Ray wouldn’t have liked).

The new volume from the golf legend who died in September is part memoir told through stories and anecdotes, and part advice book.

A biography of influential Italian scientist Fermi, who won the Nobel Prize in physics and who supervised the team that built the first nuclear reactor in the world.

In this candid memoir, the soccer star and Olympic gold medalist discusses her record-breaking athletic career as well as her struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.

Can we talk? This biography of the comedian looks not only at her life but at the effect she had on American comedy and culture.

The co-creator of the television cult classic presents a mysterious novel about the bizarre town, just in time for the return of the series directed by David Lynch.

The host of the popular YouTube series "Drunk Kitchen" presents personal essays about love, sex, faith, family and more.

The longtime music critic, writing as both a historian and an unabashed fan, takes a fresh look at pop music, tracing a line from Bessie Smith to EDM.

The actress writes of Hollywood, her painful working relationship with Alfred Hitchcock, her animal activism and a legacy that’s definitely not for the birds

Henson, who stars as the incomparable Cookie in “Empire,� writes frankly about her experiences as a black actress in Hollywood and her life as a single mother.

All he does is win, and now he wants to teach you how: the Miami hip-hop sensation presents the keys to his success, such as "Don’t ever play yourself" and "Don’t deny the heat."

The comedian and host of “The Daily Show� recounts — both hilariously and movingly — the challenges of growing up mixed-race in South Africa, which was still under apartheid when he was born in 1984.

A collection of comic essays about race, politics and pop culture from the comedian and co-host of the popular podcast “2 Dope Queens.â€� 

The cartoonist’s lively telling of the sex scandal that embroiled film actress Astor in 1936, and his fascination with its mysteries.

The Boss pulls back the curtain on his life, from growing up Catholic to his glory days as a young rocker in New Jersey and his evolution into one of America’s most iconic performers.

The story of the year the Fab Four ditched their clean-cut image, stopped touring, got political and released "Revolver," one of rock's most influential albums.

The Beach Boys legend once thought he just wasn’t made for these times, but in his new memoir, he reflects on his brilliant career and his successful struggle against his personal demons.

Step-by-step instructions for 30 projects that make your home a little greener; most are stylish, creative ways to bring living plants inside.

An illustrated guide to 34 crafts, including weaving, origami, marbling and needlepoint, paired with photos of recent works by fine artists and artisans in each field.

A hospice chaplain shares the life lessons she’s learned from people facingdeath: how to be courageous, how to be compassionate and empathetic, and the many ways to express love.

An illustrated guide to the spices of the world, co-written by Lakshmi, the “Top Chef� host, will tell you all you need to know about the difference between cardamom and coriander.

The result of a long conversation between the Nobel Peace Prize winners, this book offers advice on how, in a world filled with tragedy and hatred, to experience joy.

This book from the star of the CBS show “Lucky Dog� will teach you how to raise an obedient, well-adjusted furry friend.

The latest from the carpenter and “Parks and Recreation� star combines project instructions with humorous essays about life behind the bandsaw at his Los Angles woodshop.