What are the top 20 books based on true stories?

'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand is also highly regarded. It chronicles the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who became a prisoner of war during World War II. His story of survival, endurance, and the strength of the human spirit is truly inspiring.

One of the top books based on true stories is 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank. It gives a first - hand account of a young girl's life in hiding during the Holocaust. Another is 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand, which tells the incredible story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who survived the horrors of World War II. 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer is also on the list. It follows the journey of Christopher McCandless who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness.

Well, 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' is a great one. It's about Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used for medical research without her knowledge. 'A Long Way Gone' by Ishmael Beah is also in the list. It tells the true story of Beah's life as a child soldier in Sierra Leone. And don't forget 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls, which is her memoir about her rather chaotic and impoverished childhood.

The top books based on true stories typically have a sense of immediacy. When reading 'A Long Way Gone', you can almost feel the chaos and danger that Ishmael Beah faced as a child soldier. They also have a power to change perspectives. 'The Glass Castle' makes you see the concept of family in a different light, as it shows the complex relationship within Walls' family. Moreover, they are often filled with real - life details that make the story more believable and engaging, like the details about NASA's operations in 'Hidden Figures'.

Some of the top books based on true stories are 'The Glass Castle' by Jeannette Walls. It's her memoir about growing up in a very dysfunctional family. 'Hidden Figures' by Margot Lee Shetterly is another one. It tells the story of African - American female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race. Also, 'The Boys in the Boat' by Daniel James Brown, which is about the University of Washington's rowing team that competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Definitely 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl. It's based on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and how he found meaning in the most extreme circumstances. Another inspiring one is 'The Power of One' by Bryce Courtenay. It's about a young boy in South Africa who overcomes great odds. And 'I Am Malala' by Malala Yousafzai, which tells of her fight for girls' education against the Taliban.

One of the scariest is 'The Amityville Horror'. It tells the story of a family who moved into a house with a dark past. There were reports of strange noises, apparitions, and a generally malevolent atmosphere. Another is 'Helter Skelter' which details the Manson Family murders. The real - life horror of those brutal killings and the cult - like following of Charles Manson makes it truly terrifying. And 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is also on the list. It recounts a real - life murder case in a very detailed and chilling way.

For history enthusiasts, 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' by Jared Diamond is a must - read. It explores the reasons behind the unequal development of different human societies throughout history. Another great one is 'The Right Stuff' by Tom Wolfe. It tells the story of the early days of the US space program and the brave astronauts involved. 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson combines the true story of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with the story of a serial killer at that time.

One of the top books could be 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank. It's a true account of her life in hiding during the Holocaust. Another might be 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer, which tells the story of Christopher McCandless's journey into the Alaskan wilderness. 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand is also great, about Louis Zamperini's incredible life journey from Olympic athlete to POW.

One of the top films based on true stories is 'Schindler's List'. It tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of many Jews during the Holocaust. Another great one is 'The Imitation Game' which is about Alan Turing's efforts in cracking the Enigma code during World War II. And 'A Beautiful Mind' is also very well - known, based on the life of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who overcame schizophrenia.