Is American culture disintegrating? And if so, why, and what can we do about it? In the latest in our series of #topjournobooks, Aiman S. Ahmad reviews “Empire of Illusion” by former New York Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges.

Who imagined the most interesting account of the 2008 US election would come from an Australian writer? In the latest addition to our #topjournobooks, Meghan Lodwick reviews Guy Rundle’s ‘Down to the Crossroads: On the trail of the 2008 US election’.

Why do we eat fast food when we know it is bad for us? In the latest addition to our list of #topjournobooks, Sarah Dailey examines Eric Schlosser’s golden arches exposé ‘Fast Food Nation’.

Sometimes it’s tough choosing between the ‘goodies’ and the ‘baddies’. In the latest addition to our list of #topjournobooks, Kelly Theobald examines Truman Capote’s true crime classic ‘In Cold Blood’.

What are the books that every journalist should read? upstart is on the hunt for the essential list and we want your suggestions.

It was one of the most devastating political detective stories of the 20th century and helped bring down a President. After 35 years, Tom Cowie discovers why “All The President’s Men” is still a great read.

It was panned by the critics when first published, but 38 years later Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” remains a highly influential book, especially for journalists. Michael Calle considers its legacy.

War reporting is changing, and as Hanna Jacobsen writes, the controversial book “Fit to Print – misrepresenting the Middle East” paints a distrurbing picture of the future of the role of the foreign correspondent.

Is there such a things as too much choice? Sarah Baker takes a look at a recent book that examines the consequences of an era where almost everything is optional.

Say what you will about Malcolm Gladwell, but there’s no doubting the man’s impeccable timing — and his capacity for turning the bleeding obvious into gold writes Christopher Scanlon