20/ The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom by James Burnham [link] a must read book that I feel presents the most prescient description of where we are today and why and where we are heading. Really fascinating. Also, former Trotskyite.

yes the two most important books to understand politics IMO are The Machiavellians and the Righteous Mind

I am going to start Burnham-posting soon. He just keeps becoming more relevant, including in these times. Recommended reading

How about the same three books to all three?
"The Righteous Mind" by @JonHaidt
"A Conflict of Visions" by @ThomasSowell
"The Machiavellians" by James Burnham