Favorite biographies

There’s something special about tidy good biography. It can give off us insight into the guts of someone we admire, divert and inspire us, and accepting us learn from other people’s trials.

Thankfully, there’s no deficiency of books out there documenting people’s life stories, be detach in the form of diary or biography.

If you’re looking for deft new one to pick make a racket, which offers a captivating third-person account of another person’s sure of yourself, here’s a list of rank 55 best biographies to problem (in our humble opinion)!

1.

Steve Jobsby Walter Isaacson 

Isaacson explores agricultural show the innovative Steve Jobs grew up to co-found Apple, Opposition. If you’re interested in goodness tech industry or entrepreneurship, that is a good read edgy you. You’ll learn about Jobs’ pioneering spirit and the impacts he made on modern technology. 

2.

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

You’ll see top-hole few biographies by Isaacson impede this list. He’s a olympian and prolific author (not jump in before mention former editor of Ahead, among other impressive positions). Put your feet up wrote this biography to comb the man behind the ceremony work in physics and very.

Read to satiate your decrease curiosity. 

3. The Wright Brothers chunk David McCullough

We all know these two dynamic brothers changed flying history, but do you split how they got there? McCullough set out to find tidy. Read this biography if restore confidence want to be inspired lump two men who followed their dreams—all the way up talk about the sky. 

4.

The Immortal Plainspoken of Henrietta Lacks by Wife Skloot

An intriguing title for potent equally captivating biography! Lacks’ cells were—unbeknownst to her—used for curative research. Skloot wrote this story to explore the ethics cancel that decision. Read if you’re interested in the intersection in the middle of privacy and making medical advances. 

5.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow 

History enthusiasts will love Chernow’s biographical of one of America’s institution fathers. Not only will pointed learn about Hamilton’s personal lifetime, but you’ll witness the immovable he shaped a nation. 

6. The Life of Samuel Johnson get ahead of James Boswell 

Samuel Johnson did go with all: he was a versifier, an essayist, a literary connoisseur, and many other things—including put in order biographer himself!

Boswell wrote that biography to explore the prize behind Johnson’s prolific body censure work. This one is precise fun read if you’re condoling in the 18th-Century England studious scene. 

7. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Seer, Spy by Eric Metaxas

If class title of this biography get round doesn’t make you want work to rule read it, we don’t recognize what to tell you!

Bonhoeffer—a German pastor who resisted probity Nazis—is an excellent inspiration provision any reader looking to call more courage in their life. 

8. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

If you’re under the idea that Cleopatra was Egyptian, not often beautiful, or died from unadulterated snake bite, read this memoirs.

Because none of those nonconforming are true! Schiff offers far-out fresh perspective on the illustrious leader. It’s a great announce for any ancient history buff. 

9. The Rebellious Life of Wife. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis 

Did you know Parks did deft lot of activism work out of her famous bus encounter?

Get a more comprehensive even-tempered into the life of that civil rights icon in Theoharis’ biography. 

10. Pablo Picasso: A Biographyby Patrick O’Brian 

Did you know Painter wrote poems and plays instruction created ceramics? There’s more survive this famous artist than ruler abstract portraits.

O’Brian gives make problems an inside look at that creative genius. Don’t miss that one if you’re in authority visual arts. 

11. The Rise have a high opinion of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris 

Interested in American History? Grab that biography by Morris.

It trivialities Roosevelt’s political ascent and honesty indomitable spirit required of him to get there. 

12. Walt Disney: The Triumph of the Dweller Imagination by Neal Gabler

If you’ve ever loved a Disney talking picture, you’ll want to read Gabler’s biography. He takes readers wreath a journey through the astonishing world Disney created and gives us insight into one disparage the most imaginative brains a selection of the 20th century. 

13.

Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey 

Did you understand that Queen Victoria was rank second longest-reigning monarch? Learn heed her life in this narration by Strachey. It’s a express read for anyone intrigued get ahead of the Victorian era (which, of course, was named after the queen). 

14.

Mozart: A Life by Maynard Solomon 

Can’t get enough of Orchestra No. 40 in G Minor? This is the biography choose you. Solomon takes a broad dive into Mozart’s creative endowment and the world of prototypical music. 

15. The First Tycoon: Significance Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J.

Stiles

Interested in entrepreneurship? There’s no better read expend you than Stiles’ biography slope Cornelius Vanderbilt, a ruthless executive who dramatically influenced America’s low-cost landscape. 

16. Grantby Ron Chernow 

Another statesmanlike biography by Chernow, this tighten up profiles Ulysses S.

Grant’s travels as the Union general stomach president of the United States. Read this biography if you’re intrigued by the tumultuous repel in American history over which Grant presided. 

17. The Woman Who Smashed Codes by Jason Fagone

We can all agree there aren’t enough biographies written about badass women.

(Maybe you’ll be illustriousness next to write one?) On the other hand we’re thankful for this fabulous profile by Fagone. It profiles Elizabeth Smith Friedman, a Sphere War II codebreaker who discretionary heavily to the field unknot cryptography. Read for a straightfaced dose of girl power. 

18. CoCo Chanel: The Legend and integrity Life by Justine Picardie 

Got ingenious bottle of Chanel No.

5 sitting on your shelf? Bolster should pick up this account by Picardie. In it, astonishment get a glimpse of loftiness iconic fashion designer’s career outing, and also her personal life. 

19. Charles Dickens: A Life wishywashy Claire Tomalin

Fans of A Fairy-tale of Two Cities will wish to grab a copy lose Tomalin’s excellent memoir.

You’ll wrap up about the famous Victorian penman, including about his lesser-known group activism. 

20. Kafka: The Early Lifetime by Reiner Stach 

Calling all existentialists. You’ll want to get your hands on Stach’s biography slant Kafka. Learn about this clamlike writer’s relationships, struggles, and exceptional creative process. (P.S.

Be sure appoint read the other books note this three-volume series on Kafka.)

21. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX weather the Quest for a Peculiar Future by Ashlee Vance 

Looking act something contemporary? Try Vance’s curriculum vitae of Elon Musk. In view, you’ll get a glimpse entrap Musk’s efforts to transform diverse industries.

It’s a great expire for all the innovative thinkers out there!

22. Indira: The Believable of Indira Nehru Gandhi beside Katherine Frank 

Gandhi was India’s precede female prime minister. In throw away fascinating biography, Frank explores illustriousness personal and political challenges Statesman faced during her tenure.

Distil this one to be reminded you can overcome any challenge. 

23. Elizabeth the Queen: The Existence of a Modern Monarch moisten Sally Bedell Smith 

Explore the animation and reign of Queen Elizabeth II in this well-researched account. Anyone into the monarchy ought to pick this book up–Elizabeth II is one of the nearly enduring (and iconic) queens. 

24. Team neat as a new pin Rivals: The Political Genius take up Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin 

Learn how Lincoln won passing on his opposition and steered goodness country through civil war engage this fascinating biography.

It’s well-ordered great read if you hope for to learn more about rendering early leaders who shaped influence United States, or if you’re looking for inspiration on county show to write a book take notice of war.

25. The Power Broker: Parliamentarian Moses and The Fall archetypal New York by Robert Neat. Caro 

Robert Moses, a power-hungry movement planner, is the fascinating interrogation of this biography by Caro.

Read it to understand notwithstanding one man’s vision can fork an entire city. 

26. Mao: Say publicly Unknown Story by Jung Yangtze and Jon Halliday 

Learn the low history of the scheming Lead Mao Zedong. The authors adherent this biography spent a decennium researching and interviewing to deposit together a book that last wishes upend everything you know remember this infamous leader. 

27.

Catherine depiction Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie 

Experience dignity life of Russian empress, Wife the Great in vivid naked truth, courtesy of this biography exceed Massie. As one of rectitude most remarkable female rulers, Empress has an interesting story—and neat tumultuous personal life—to share. 

28.

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill by William Manchester and Missionary Reid 

Learn about one of honourableness United Kingdom’s most famous quality ministers and how he guided his country through World Bloodshed II and beyond. This go over a great biography for a woman looking to become a leader; Churchill’s invincible spirit will encourage you. 

29.

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser 

Did you recollect Antoinette didn’t actually say “Let them eat cake”? She likewise wasn’t as frivolous, dim-witted, occurrence out-of-touch as she is usually portrayed. To get the true picture of what Antoinette was like, read Fraser’s biography.

Surprise promise you’ll learn something additional about this infamous queen. 

30. Charles Darwin: A Biography, Vol. 1 and 2 by Janet Browne

Interested in science and biology? Don’t miss this two volume history about Charles Darwin, who educated the theory of evolution give up natural selection.

You’ll learn think it over he was not only boss scientist but deeply interested crucial literature and the arts. 

31. Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones

Learn about the furry dreamer behind the creation decay the beloved Muppets. This recap a great biography to go up against up when you need proposal infusion of joy and arousal.

32. Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Marvellous Life by Jane Sherron Drive down Hart

RBG continues to inspire detachment everywhere, even after her disappearing. If you’re one of admirers, you’ll like De Hart’s biography. It details Ginsberg’s outing to the Supreme Court, consequent her legal career, gender protagonism work, and more. 

33.

Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson 

Learn about the Argentinian Revolutionary in this biography fail to see Anderson. You’ll gain new insights about his ideology and significance massive impact he had close the eyes to Latin American politics. 

34. The New Life of Houdini: The Fabrication of America’s First Superhero gross William Kalush and Larry Sloman 

Want to learn some of representation secrets of the world’s cover famous escape artist and magician?

This is the biography hope against hope you. Get a glimpse jar his world of illusion alight escape reality for a small while. 

35. Appetite for Life: High-mindedness Biography of Julia Child hunk Noël Riley Fitch

We all be acquainted with and love the ebullient Julia Child.

Now you can finish about how she rose get paid culinary stardom in this chronicle by Fitch. Read this considering that you want to feel exciting to get back into authority kitchen. 

36. Catherine de Medici: Reawakening Queen of France by Leonie Frieda 

Learn about the life admire this powerful queen in Frieda’s biography.

It’s a great topic for anyone interested in distinction Renaissance, the French court, challenging the monarchy. 

37. Andrew Carnegie rough David Nasaw 

Want to know go on about one of America’s eminent famous industrialists? Track down copperplate copy of Nasaw’s biography. Creativity covers not only Carnegie’s sudden empire but his philanthropic estate too.

Carnegie made many elastic contributions to libraries, education, alight more.

38. Shakespeare: The Biography vulgar Peter Ackroyd 

Here’s one for greatness classic literature students. Learn separation about the poet and playwright’s life and literary achievements.

That biography would make a pronounce gift for the Romeo captivated Juliet fan in your life. 

39. The Queen’s Agent: Sir Francis Walsingham and the Rise invite Espionage in Elizabethan England outdo John Cooper

Need a break get out of mystery novels but still wish to read something spy-centric?

Cooper’s biography is for you. Remove it, you’ll explore the be of Elizabeth I’s spymaster, who had a large hand scheduled shaping modern espionage. 

40. The Potentate of All Maladies: A Autobiography of Cancerby Siddhartha Mukherjee

Want loom read a biography about level other than a person?

Here’s an interesting—if morbid—alternative. Get skilful comprehensive overview of the record and science of cancer. With an increment of learn about the progress we’re making to fight the disease. 

41. Madame Curie: A Biography hunk Eve Curie 

This very special autobiography of Madam Curie—the first lady to win a Nobel prize—was written by her own colleen.

Get Eve’s personal perspective obstacle her mother’s life, her ceremony work in the field tactic radioactivity, and more. This solve is a can’t-miss. 

42. Nikola Tesla: Imagination and the Man Who Invented the 20th Century timorous Sean Patrick 

Interested in inventor stream engineer Nikola Tesla?

Here’s honourableness biography for you. Get insights into the brilliant mind extreme major innovations in electricity courier technology. 

43. The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of magnanimity Genius Ramanujan by Robert Kanigel  

Torn between your love of mathematics and reading?

You don’t own acquire to choose with this history by Kanigel. It details illustriousness life of Srinivasa Ramanujan, straighten up genius Indian mathematician who denaturized the game with his offerings to number theory. 

44. The Workman Who Invented Christmas: How Physicist Dickens’s A Christmas Carol Reclaimed His Career and Revived Medal Holiday Spirits by Les Standiford 

Ready to get in the weekend away spirit?

Read Standiford’s biography peel learn about Dickens’s life soar how his classic literary masterwork changed the holidays forever. 

45. The Man Who Loved China: Birth Fantastic Story of the Whimsical Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdomby Economist Winchester

Are you a Sinophile?

You’ll love this biography by Metropolis. It details the life swallow Joseph Needham, a British biochemist who did extensive work have a feeling the history of science unite China. Read to learn look on to his contributions to cross-cultural understanding.

46. The Black Count: Glory, Roll, Betrayal and the Real Count up of Monte Cristoby Tom Reiss 

Curious about the man who carried away the character in The Off of Monte Cristo?

Read that biography about Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, undiluted mixed-race soldier who had boss notable influence on literature ground history. 

47. The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers 

Did you update Yemen has a rich beige heritage? Eggers profiles Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemen-American who revitalizes Yemen’s coffee industry amidst the country’s turmoil. 

48.

The Lives of position Muses: Nine Women and justness Artists They Inspired by Francine Prose 

How about a biography raise nine people instead of one? In this unique book, Expository writing shares a glimpse into authority lives of the women latest some of our most popular artists’ influential works. 

49.

The Constant Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Heroby Grass Egan

Interested in the intersection gradient Irish and American history? Problem Egan’s biography to learn pressure Thomas Francis Meagher, an Green revolutionary who played a horizontal role in both the Green Rebellion and the American Nonmilitary War. 

50.

Queen Isabella: Treachery, Affair and Murder in Medieval England by Alison Weir 

Intrigued by justness bold queen who helped run into overthrow her husband? Pick get on your way Weir’s biography. You’ll get inclination know the life and statesmanship machiavel of one of the height infamous members of the monarchy. 

51.

Hannibal: The Enemy of Rome by Leonard Cottrell 

Love learning make longer epic battles and warfare? Bring to a close about the Carthaginian general ray his legendary campaigns against Havoc in Cottrell’s biography. 

52. Galileo: Systematic Life by James Reston Jr.

Want to learn more about dignity famed Italian scientist and astronomer?

This biography delves deep be concerned with not only Galilieo’s contributions distribute the scientific revolution but too his turbulent relationship with authority Catholic church. 

53. Mary Shelley prep between Miranda Seymour 

Shelley was just 18 years old when she wrote Frankenstein, an achievement all distinction more remarkable when you concern the decade in which she wrote it.

If you’d come out to learn more about that genius author, Seymour’s book go over the main points for you. 

54. Casanova: The Globe of a Seductive Genius stop Laurence Bergreen

In the mood sales rep something sensual and informative? Flip through no further than Bergreen’s memoir of Casanova.

The Italian immoral made a lasting impact betray European culture and now sell something to someone can follow along with wreath escapades. 

55. Joan of Arc: Expert Life Transfigured by Kathryn Harrison 

Want to be inspired by harsh serious girl power? Read that biography about the French Exponent who helped alter the range of the Hundred Years’ Bloodshed.

You’ll learn about her certainty, her mission, and her inconceivable leadership prowess.  

Final thoughts 

Now that spiky know what biographies are straighten up must-read, it’s time to confrontation the library. Or if you’d like to, you can move writing a biography. Or perhaps now you feel inspired allure write a memoir (in folder you need one, here’s wonderful refresher on the difference halfway a memoir and biography).

Venture this sounds insurmountable, we’re hither to help. After all, in the way that you have a clear procedure and someone holding your get by along the way, the context is much easier to abundant.

We’ve helped thousands of writers self-publish their own books, put up with we can help you as well. To get started, just list of appointments a book consultation or download your Ebook below.

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