What is serious nonfiction?

[MadScientistMatt]

I've heard this term sometimes used, but not clearly defined. Is it as opposed to humorous nonfiction? What sort of books do and don't fall into this category?

[Jaws]

"Serious nonfiction" is usually the sort of nonfiction books that would be comfortable in, but not sold exclusively in, a large university bookstore. It's easier to say what it excludes than what it is. It isn't: Inspirational
How-to or instructional
With rare exceptions, autobiographical or memoirish
With rare exceptions, concerned with contemporary popular culture
Written with the expectation that non-college-educated readers will be interested in it
Some examples of "serious nonfiction" include Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, David Landes's The Wealth and Poverty of Nations, Daniel Boorstin's The Discoverers, Richard Clarke's Against All Enemies, Randy Shilts's Conduct Unbecoming, and Norman Cantor's The Civilization of the Middle Ages. Although all of these examples are somewhat "historical" in scope, that's just coincidence (they're all on bookshelves in this room); there is a lot of "serious nonfiction" out there that makes no pretensions of historical scope.

[MadScientistMatt]

Ok, thanks. I guess my WIP about how modifying cars would be more along the lines of frivolous nonfiction... :D