The 30 Best Biographies of All Time
A great biography isn’t just a list of things that happened to someone; it should weave a narrative and tell a story in the same way that a novel does, and the biographies on this list are just as compelling as, if not more so, than great novels.
Which biography should you read next?
John Nash’s biography of esteemed mathematician was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1998. Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton inspired a hit Broadway musical. Zora Neale Hurston’s Cudjo Lewis will transport you to an era in African-American history. Bodanis’ biography of Albert Einstein is a one-of-a-kind take on the genre.
This beautifully constructed biography follows Paul Farmer, a doctor who worked for Mao. What if you had twenty-four different people living inside you? That was Billy Milligan, the subject of this haunting biography. Prince biographer Shahidi Shahidi served as his private photographer from the early 2000s to the present.
The first full-length biography of Percy Shelley, by James Arthur Holmes, is compelling and resolute. Walter Isaacson’s biography chronicles Steve Jobs’ journey from garage engineer to Silicon Valley titan. Author Laura Hillenbrand details how both men came to accept Christianity as a means of recovery.
What book is a biography?
A biography, also known as a bio, is a nonfiction work that provides an objective account of a person’s life; the main difference between a biography and an autobiography is that the author of a biography is not the subject of the biography.
What is a good biography to read?
In 2021, read biographies and memoirs.
- Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart.
- All In. by Billie Jean King, Johnette Howard, and Maryanne Vollers.
- Becoming. by Michelle Obama.
- Between Two Kingdoms. by Suleika Jaouad.
- Mike Nichols. by Mark Harris.
- My Broken Language. by Quiara Alegra Hudes.
Whats a good biography?
A good biography tells the story of a person’s life in an engaging way, showing what the subject did and how he or she made a difference in the world, as well as showing what the person was really like, how he or she acted, and how others reacted.
How do you start a biography?
Begin your bio with a brief introduction that explains who you are; the first sentence should include your name, followed by a few key details you want to emphasize, such as your education, certifications, or accomplishments.
What is a example of a biography?
A biography is a story written about someone’s life; an example of a biography is a book about President Barack Obama’s life story.
Who is the best person to do a biography on?
Biography Topics with Famous People
- Amelia Earhart (aviation)
- Anne Frank (Holocaust)
- Benjamin Franklin (Founding Father)
- Betty Ford (inspirational)
- Albert Einstein (scientist)
- Alexander Fleming (scientist)
- Alexander Graham Bell (inventor)
- Alexander the Great (leader)
Which is better biography or autobiography?
Biographers typically gather information through a journalistic research project that includes reviewing records of events and interviews with the book’s subject and other people, making a biography more objective than an autobiography.
Are biographies worth reading?
Reading a great biography (or autobiography) can be as exciting as reading a great thriller, provide more valuable and useful lessons than most self-help best sellers, and provide more professional development wisdom than you can likely apply.
Which book is best for read?
To Read: Classic Novels
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- Animal Farm by George Orwell.
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
What do biographies teach us?
Biographies allow us to see how successful people deal with crises and solve complex problems by inviting us into their lives and observing them as they face challenges and make important decisions.