as for my list:
A People's History of The United States by Howard Zinn. If it's not required reading, it should be.
Into The Wild by Job Krakuaer
Although not non-fiction in the strictest sense EG:, not based on research of real life events:
The Politics of Experience by R.D. Laing
Haga Kure (book of falling leaves). Feudal Japanese philosophy/ military strategy.
The Social Contract by J.J. Rousseau
The Rebel by Albert Camus
Personal memoir:
A Language Older Than Words by Derrick Jensen. Probably my favorite book.
Evasion by anonymous. Think a punk rock version of Jack Kerouac.
Homage To Catalonia by George Orwell