starting with "Shooting an Elephant" is great - imminently readable and very good work controlling the tone of a tense scene. Speaks also to the pressure of a single person against the expectations of a larger group. Colonial subtext. really good.
Also has a great opening line:
In Moulmein, in Lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people--the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me.