14 Books that Inspired Great Documentaries

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It’s hard to predict the way one work of art can inspire another. Today, countless filmmakers are drawing inspiration from books, both in the fictional and non-fiction genres. Our list today is about books that inspired documentary films. Feel free to check out the books and films alike, comparing and contrasting their content.

1. As Nature Made Him

John Colapinto’s As Nature Made Him tells the story of a boy raised as a girl, after a botched medical procedure at birth left him without male genitalia. His parents decided to raise him as a girl, following the sex-reassignment surgery.  The book explores the nature vs nurture aspects of gender identity: a timely discussion into today’s world. The book was later made into a documentary film, entitled Dr. Money and the Boy With No Penis.

👉 Buy As Nature Made Him as Book on Amazon

2. Guns, Germs and Steel

Author of Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond, takes on the large and rather lofty subject of civilization’s foundation throughout the past 13,000 years. The book focuses on the big picture of our world at large, including the geographical and environmental factors that contributed to western civilization.  Good documentary books are often later turned into documentaries, such as a film by PBS, which was a big hit among educators.

👉 Buy Guns, Germs and Steel as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Guns, Germs and Steel on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Guns, Germs and Steel as DVD on Amazon

3. Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth

Dirt: The Movie seemingly emerged from nowhere, becoming a huge hit for its interesting and engaging way of tackling a mundane and boring topic. The film originally inspired by a book, written by natural historian William Bryant Logan. As with many natural histories, the book is an appeal to care for our environment, and the range of natural resources we rely on.

👉 Buy Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Dirt! The Movie on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Dirt! The Movie as DVD on Amazon

4. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Half the Sky is one of the best documentary books on feminist issues in the developing world. The book reveals the terrible practices of third world countries but also offers hope for change and development through social and economic reform. It later inspired a documentary of the same name, produced by Independent Leans.

👉 Buy Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide as DVD on Amazon

5. Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth

Payback is a nonfiction book written by Margaret Atwood, noted author of The Handmaid’s Tale. The book tackles the topics of debt and financial freedom, presenting the issues in a light and engaging fashion. In 2012, the book was adapted into a documentary film by the National Film Board of Canada, and premiered at Sundance Film Festival later that same year.

👉 Buy Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Payback on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Payback as DVD on Amazon

6. Into Thin Air

Jon Krakauer's gripping 1997 nonfiction account of a deadly expedition to climb Mount Everest inspired the 2015 documentary "Meru," directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The book and film detail the harrowing experiences of three climbers as they attempt to summit one of the world's highest peaks, facing extreme weather, high altitude, and the threat of death.

The documentary features stunning cinematography and intimate interviews with the climbers, bringing the reader/viewer face-to-face with the reality of extreme mountaineering.

👉 Buy Into Thin Air as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Into Thin Air on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Into Thin Air as DVD on Amazon

7. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot's 2010 book about the life and legacy of a woman whose cancer cells were taken without her consent and used for medical research for decades inspired the 2017 HBO film "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," directed by George C. Wolfe.

The book and film explore the ethics of medical research, the exploitation of vulnerable communities, and the personal impact of scientific discoveries on individuals and families. The film features superb performances by Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne, and brings a powerful human dimension to the story.

👉 Buy The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks as Book Amazon

👉 Watch The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks as DVD on Amazon

8. Fast Food Nation

Eric Schlosser's 2001 exposé of the fast-food industry and its impact on American culture and health inspired the 2006 film "Fast Food Nation," directed by Richard Linklater.

The book and movie delve into the history, economics, and sociology of fast food, from the exploitation of workers and animals to the environmental destruction and health hazards associated with the industry. The film features a talented ensemble cast and an unflinching look at the realities of modern food production and consumption. It explores the dark side of the food industry and reveals how processed food is not only unhealthy but also potentially dangerous.

👉 Buy Fast Food Nation as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Fast Food Nation on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Fast Food Nation as DVD on Amazon

9. The New Jim Crow

Michelle Alexander's 2010 book about the systemic racism and oppression of black Americans through the criminal justice system inspired the 2016 documentary "13th," directed by Ava DuVernay.

The book and film explore the history of discrimination, segregation, and mass incarceration in the United States, as well as the social, political, and economic forces that perpetuate these systems. The documentary features powerful interviews with activists, politicians, and ordinary people whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system, and raises important questions about justice, equality, and freedom.

👉 Buy The New Jim Crow as Book on Amazon

10. Behind the Beautiful Forevers

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo is a journalistic account of life in a Mumbai slum. It details the struggles of several families living in the area, each with their unique story.

The documentary based on this book is titled "The Price of Free", and it follows the life of Kailash Satyarthi, a human rights activist, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, who works to rescue and rehabilitate children held in slavery. The movie is a heart-warming and inspirational account of the human spirit and compassion.

👉 Buy Behind the Beautiful Forevers as Book on Amazon

11. The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien

This book inspired the documentary titled “The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien.” In his book, Tim O’Brien recounts his journey through Vietnam, and the psychological impact that the war had on him.

This haunting tale tells of the inescapable complexities of war and its impact on veterans. The documentary brings O’Brien’s story to life, sharing his thoughts on war, along with interviews with his family and friends. The documentary creates an emotional and personal experience that can leave one feeling, inspired and touched.

👉 Watch The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien as DVD on Amazon

12. I Am Not Your Negro

This book by James Baldwin inspired the documentary of the same name. The documentary is a deep dive into race relations in America and the Civil Rights Movement. It highlights the works of three civil rights activists, Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, using the words of James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript as a backdrop.

The documentary is an emotional and thought-provoking journey that leaves one feeling enlightened and inspired to take a stand against racism.

👉 Buy I Am Not Your Negro as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch I Am Not Your Negro on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy I Am Not Your Negro as DVD on Amazon

13. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

This book was published by Mark Manson in 2016, and is an interesting take on the art of self-help. It is a refreshing and non-cotton candy guide that instructs readers on how to be more self-aware, adaptive, and resilient.

The documentary was made by a team of filmmakers and animators, and it focuses on how this book changed and inspired thousands of people’s lives. It tells the story of how Mark Manson went from being a blogger to a bestselling author who has profoundly impacted our culture.

👉 Buy The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck on Amazon Prime

14. The Andy Warhol Diaries

This book served as inspiration for the documentary titled “Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film.” This book is a chronicle of Andy Warhol’s daily activities and the remarkable people he associated with.

The documentary film captures intriguing details about Warhol’s life, his creative process, and how he influenced the art world. It provides an interesting insight into Warhol’s personality and his impact on popular culture, which can be both fascinating and inspiring.

👉 Buy The Andy Warhol Diaries as Book on Amazon

👉 Watch Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film as DVD on Amazon

Conclusion

Great documentary films can be a powerful way to tell important stories, explore cultural history, spark social change, and inspire audiences around the world.

By exploring some of the documentary style books that have inspired these films, we can learn more about important issues such as human and citizen rights, engage more deeply with the lives and experiences of others, and better appreciate the art and craft of documentary filmmaking.

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