What is a good biography?

Question

Biographies of entrepreneurs and politicians.

www.smokeveil.blogspot.com

Answer 1

I seem to be able to grow by finding out about people who have made a difference in the world. It encourages me to keep trying, against the odds at times. Knowing there are people with integrity out there, knowing the negative news we hear isn't the whole story, comforts & inspires me. Maybe it will do the same for you.

1. The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club) by Sidney Poitier
Not every man of integrity is born with a silver spoon. I learned new things about this fine actor, and found he had some hard times in his life, and still came out on top.

2. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan
What is love? The relationship between a man and his dog is the best definition of unconditional love. Heartwarming and bittersweet at once, as are most animal-love books.

3. In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing by Lee Woodruff
A fitting reminder of the power of love and prayer, and just how fragile our lives can be, and are. The tragedy is not the point, dealing with it is. We are so lucky to have Bob still with us, and to have this book.

4. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
What gives meaning to life? This was the question, and the answer, discovered in a concentration camp. Inspiring and instructive.

5. The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
When life says no, what do you do? Chris said, 'Oh, yeah? Watch me!' and dreamed not only of surviving, but of a Ferrari.

6. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Faith isn't something contained in a religion or a church, although both can be guiding. A story of faith by a woman who cuts her own path, and who was rescued by a spiritual force of love.

7. On Writing by Stephen King
An open insight into this gifted writer and his edges. Most revealing is the section on being almost killed in a truck pedestrian accident,his recovery, and his wife's part in getting him to write again.

8. Teach with Your Heart: Lessons I Learned from the Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell
An inspiring story of seeing the truth in those that society has discarded, and in fighting for what you believe is right.

9. Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness by William Styron
The depth and reality of depression, and the medical system's role in it.

10. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
What is race? and what does it mean?

11. Kitchen Table Wisdom 10th Anniversary by Rachel Naomi Remen
Naomi has had crisis and heartache in her life, but has made her life an inspiration.

12. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Thouroughly delightful books, as is the television series sponsored by PBS. Enchanting to know they are truth, not fiction, and autobiographical.

13. The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter
Life can try to put you in a box, but you don't have to stay there and accept their definition of you. Enchanting account.

14. Mother Teresa: In My Own Words by Mother Teresa
Not all of us can Be Mother Teresa, but we Can Learn from her absolute goodness and love for mankind, unconditionally.

15. Walden: (Writings of Henry D. Thoreau) by Henry David Thoreau
What is necessary for happiness and a fulfilled life? What keeps us from this? These are the questions Thoreau pondered, and answered.

16. I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny by Bob Newhart
The man on television and doing standup apparently is the same man as Bob Newhart. Enjoyable.

17. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King Jr.
One of the most significant men and the best orator the world has ever known.

18. The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas by Mahatma Gandhi
Another man who was bigger than life, essential and influential beyond all others because he lived his belief against everything that said he could not.

19. Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero by David Maraniss
A hero from my childhood in Pennsylvania. Died while doing good.

20. Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt
A sad history of the destruction of a people and a culture.

21. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis
Fascinating man, fascinating memoir.

22. Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Wartime SarajevoRevised Edition by Zlata Filipovic
This is the legacy of war, and those who manage to live through it.

23. The Snow Leopard (Penguin Nature Classics) by Peter Matthiessen
One of the most poetic and meaningful books I have ever read. I copied many passages from this very well written memoir of the search for the snow leopard after his wife's death.

24. Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The other poetic, lyrical book that I will always love. He died in the skies, as they were his first and last love.

25. Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
Not Steinbeck's most well known book, but definitely his most endearing.

26. Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox
What determination and a special set of genes can lead to. Inspiring.

27. Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
This book changed forever the way I viewed race, and opened my eyes to all the lies I had been told.

28. Life and Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng
A stirring account of her imprisonment in Communist China and how she held her self together.

29. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Yep, this scared me enough to keep me off drugs for 40 plus years.

30. I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers by Tim Madigan
What is friendship, and what is greatness? The book answers these questions with a name: Mr. Rogers (my hero). Reading this personal account, I know now why I loved him so.

31. Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man by Dale Peterson
She had a vision of her life's work, then went on to create that life.

32. The Story of My Life (Bantam Classic) by Helen Keller
Talk about overcoming the odds, whew!

33. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
Current read. Inspiring & humbling account of what one man can do to change the world and promote peace, against all odds. Especially good read for climbers.

34. Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
A love story first of all, and a glimpse at a critical moment in history through their eyes.

35. Walk Across America, A by Peter Jenkins
I felt as though I walked with him through this country, and learned along with him, too.

36. Bound for Glory (Plume) by Woody Guthrie
He wasn't a saint, but he was a mirror of the depression and the heart of the working man.

Answer 2

I love the booklet "Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger" via Dan Matovina. It no longer most effective talks approximately the Badfinger participants once they had been in combination as a band, however it additionally covers relatively slightly extra. If you ever wish to warn any one approximately the hazards of the song trade, it's going to additionally function a best caution of simply how rutheless managers or even peers can also be. BQ: I preferred a number of the VH1 sequence Behind the Music however just a few approximately a couple of artists. I have not quite watched many song documentaries despite the fact that, so I can not say for certain.

Answer 3

Try "Man of the People" by Alonzo L. Hamby, about Harry S. Truman
and Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman about
Richard Feynman

Answer 4

I might be weird but i love the civil war and the book Robert E. Lee was great.