Biographies are a unique form of nonfiction that aim to bring their subjects to life through storytelling. The best biographies weave a narrative that is just as captivating as a great novel. In this article, readers will discover the 30 best biographies of all time. Whether historical or recent, each biography on this list is a remarkable tribute to its subject, providing a life-giving glimpse into their world.
1. Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert
Martin Gilbert’s biography of Winston Churchill is widely regarded as the definitive work on the subject. Churchill, who is often considered to be Britain’s greatest prime minister, led the country through World War II. Gilbert’s book combines extensive research with vivid details to create a comprehensive and engaging portrait of this mercurial figure.
2. Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario
Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario is a heart-wrenching account of a young boy’s journey to reunite with his mother in the United States. After years of waiting for his mother’s return, Enrique decides to take matters into his own hands and embarks on a dangerous journey across Central and South America.
He risks his life on the treacherous “train of death” and faces the wrath of immigration authorities in his quest for a family reunion. Nazario’s book is a powerful commentary on the struggles and sacrifices made by immigrant families. It highlights the pain of separation and the incredible devotion that drives individuals to undertake such perilous journeys.
3. Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera
Hayden Herrera’s 1983 biography of iconic artist Frida Kahlo has become the definitive account of her life. Despite enduring great suffering, including a devastating accident at eighteen and a husband who constantly cheated on her, the book focuses on Kahlo’s artistic brilliance and unwavering determination to make her mark on the world. Thanks to Herrera’s dedicated work, Kahlo’s legacy will not soon be forgotten.
4. The Inspiring Story of Dr. Paul Farmer
Dr. Paul Farmer is a renowned doctor who has dedicated his life to fighting infectious diseases in underprivileged areas across the globe. Tracy Kidder’s biography, “Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World,” provides an insightful look into Farmer’s incredible humanitarian accomplishments.
What sets this book apart is Kidder’s personal relationship with Farmer, which allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the doctor’s heroic work. Overall, this biography is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about the inspiring journey of a true humanitarian.
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Rebecca Skloot’s book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, tells the story of a poor black woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge for medical testing. These cells, known as HeLa cells, have been instrumental in modern medicine and the development of critical cures.
Skloot’s biography skillfully commemorates Henrietta Lacks’ previously unknown life and the impact she has had on medicine. It is a remarkable biographical feat of the twenty-first century that sheds light on an important and often overlooked figure in medical history.
6. E=mc²: A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation by David Bodanis
David Bodanis’ “E=mc²: A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation” is a unique take on the biography genre. Instead of focusing on the life of Einstein, Bodanis delves into the history and development of the equation itself.
The book covers the origins and evolution of the equation’s individual components, including energy, mass, and light. Bodanis manages to make a potentially dry subject engaging for readers of all backgrounds, exploring the equation’s ramifications in the 20th century.
7. Shelley: The Pursuit by Richard Holmes
Richard Holmes’ first full-length biographical work, Shelley: The Pursuit, exemplifies his philosophy of “biography as pursuit.” The book presents a vivid portrayal of Percy Shelley, a dark and cutting figure in the Romantic period. Holmes’ writing is compelling and resolute, reforming many previous historical conceptions about Shelley.
8. Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston, a renowned novelist, essayist, and short story writer, delves into biographical writing in her 2018 published work, “Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo.'” The book is based on Hurston’s interviews with Cudjo Lewis, the final survivor of the Middle Passage slave trade.
Hurston’s vivid descriptions and Lewis’ poignant African-American vernacular transport readers back to a haunting era that is not as distant as it may seem. The book offers a powerful insight into the horrors of the slave trade and the resilience of those who survived it.
9. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar
Sylvia Nasar’s biography, “A Beautiful Mind,” delves into the life and career of renowned mathematician John Nash. The book covers Nash’s early years at MIT, his work at RAND Corporation, and his battle with schizophrenia.
Nasar’s work was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1998 and later served as the basis for the award-winning film adaptation of the same name. The book offers a comprehensive look at Nash’s life, both personal and professional.
10. Vera (Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov) by Stacy Schiff
Vladimir Nabokov’s wife, Vera, played a crucial role in his life and work. She was not only his partner but also his editor and translator. Schiff claims that Vera was a genius in her own right and had a great sense of humor, which inspired her husband’s work.
She injected her own creative flair into his writing, making it more interesting and engaging. Without her support and contributions, Nabokov’s literary legacy might not have been as significant.
11. Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss
Marie Sklodowska and Pierre Curie, the couple who discovered radioactivity, had a fascinating personal history. They met in 1891 when Marie came to work in Pierre’s lab, and their passion for each other bled into their passion for their work.
In almost no time at all, they were on their way to their first of their Nobel Prizes. Lauren Redniss’s book, “Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout,” explores the intertwining of their personal and professional lives and the impact of their discoveries on the world.
12. The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes
In this haunting biography, Daniel Keyes tells the story of Billy Milligan, a man with twenty-four different personalities living inside him. Keyes recounts the events of Billy’s life and how his psyche became “split”.
The author uses a refreshingly straightforward style to explain how Billy attempted to put the fragments of himself back together with Keyes’ help. The book is a fascinating exploration of the human mind and the lengths to which one can go to heal from trauma.
13. Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film The Imitation Game – Updated Edition by Andrew Hodges
Andrew Hodges’ book, “Alan Turing: The Enigma,” provides insight into the life of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, cryptologist, and computer pioneer. Despite the title, the book goes beyond Turing’s work during WWII and delves into his personal life.
It covers his heroic code-breaking efforts during the war, his contributions to computer designs and mathematical biology in the years following, and the persecution he faced in the 1950s when homosexual acts were still illegal in England. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the life of this extraordinary man.
14. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a biography that retraces the steps of Christopher McCandless, who hitchhiked to Alaska and disappeared into the Denali wilderness in April 1992. Five months later, he was found emaciated and deceased in his shelter.
The book attempts to understand McCandless’s motivations and whether he fully understood the dangers of his journey. Through Krakauer’s detailed account, readers gain insight into the complexities of McCandless’s character and the challenges he faced in the wild.
15. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton is a masterpiece that has inspired a hit Broadway musical. The book, which spans over 800 pages, chronicles the life of one of the youngest Founding Fathers, from his role in the Revolutionary War to his scandalous affair with Maria Reynolds that ultimately led to his downfall.
Despite never holding the presidency, Hamilton remains a fascinating and unique figure in American history. Chernow’s work provides an in-depth look at Hamilton’s contributions to early American government, painting a vivid picture of the man behind the myths. For those interested in learning more about the lives of First Ladies, a list of books on the topic can be found on The Archive.
16. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
Rosemary Kennedy’s tragic life story is often overshadowed by the more sensational tragedies that befell other members of the Kennedy family. However, her fate is no less heartbreaking. After a failed lobotomy, Rosemary was left severely disabled and her parents made the decision to hide her away from society.
In “Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter,” author Kate Clifford Larson sheds light on Rosemary’s life after the lobotomy and the impact it had on her family. This biography offers a compassionate and insightful look into the life of a woman who was largely forgotten by history.
17. Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford
Milford’s biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay is a poetic and balanced account of the life of the famous feminist poet. Millay’s delicate and subtle poetic work contrasts with her feisty and unpredictable personality, which Milford explores in detail. The biography delves into Millay’s unusual and occasionally destructive habits, providing a fascinating insight into the life of this talented and complex woman.
18. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken recounts the harrowing tale of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner whose plane crashed in the Pacific during World War II. After surviving on a raft for forty-seven days, Zamperini was captured by the Japanese Navy and tortured as a prisoner of war for two and a half years.
The book follows his story from beginning to end, including his embrace of Christian evangelism as a means of recovery and his eventual forgiveness of his captors in his later years. Hillenbrand’s gripping biography is a testament to Zamperini’s resilience and redemption in the face of unimaginable adversity.
19. The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson IV by Robert A. Caro
In his book, “The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson IV,” Robert Caro provides a detailed account of Lyndon Johnson’s political career. Despite not being as well-known as other political figures, Johnson’s journey to power was full of unexpected twists and turns.
Caro portrays Johnson as a cunning figure who gradually worked his way up the political ladder. Finally, in 1963, Johnson achieved his greatest wish of becoming president, but at a great cost. Fans of political dramas like Vice will find this biography intriguing.
20. Prince: A Private View by Afshin Shahidi
Afshin Shahidi’s “Prince: A Private View” is a visual tribute to the late superstar, compiled shortly after his untimely death in 2016. The book features a collection of intimate photographs taken by Shahidi, who served as Prince’s private photographer from the early 2000s until his passing.
The photographs offer a unique glimpse into Prince’s life, capturing his incredible vibrance, contagious excitement, and altogether singular personality in every shot.
21. The Search for the Lost City of Z
David Grann’s book “The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon” tells the story of Percy Fawcett, an archaeologist who disappeared in the Amazon jungle in 1925 while searching for a lost city.
Grann also shares his own experiences in the Amazon, 80 years after Fawcett’s disappearance, and sheds light on the dangers Fawcett may have faced. Grann’s account provides insight into the mysterious and fascinating world of the Amazon, and the allure of uncovering ancient secrets hidden within its depths.
22. Sylvia Plath’s Life Before Ted Hughes
Andrew Wilson’s biography of Sylvia Plath, titled after one of her most famous poems, takes a unique approach by focusing on her life before her marriage to Ted Hughes and her struggles with depression.
Drawing from Plath’s meticulous diaries, Wilson delves into her early family life, relationships, and experiences, setting a strong precedent for future Plath biographers. This shimmering biography sheds new light on the enigmatic poet and offers readers a deeper understanding of her complex personality and creative genius.
23. Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts
Andrew Roberts’ biography of Napoleon Bonaparte offers readers a fresh perspective on the famed historical figure. The book delves into Napoleon’s military prowess and his complex relationship with his wife, but what sets this work apart is Roberts’ approach to his subject.
Rather than ridiculing the “petty tyrant,” Roberts approaches Napoleon with a healthy amount of deference, offering readers a nuanced and balanced view of the man who reshaped Europe. This biography is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding Napoleon’s life and legacy.
Summary
The best biographies of all time offer readers a glimpse into the lives of fascinating individuals who have made significant contributions to society. These biographies are written by skilled authors who have conducted extensive research and interviews to provide accurate and compelling narratives.
Some of the most popular biographies include “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” as told to Alex Haley. These biographies are must-reads for anyone interested in learning more about the lives of influential people.