In a world filled with fleeting information, biographies stand out as a lasting medium to connect us with the lives of extraordinary individuals. Whether they are famous public figures or hidden gems from history, reading about their journeys not only sheds light on their challenges and accomplishments but also offers us valuable life lessons. This curated list of 35 biographies promises to do just that—keeping readers glued to the pages while expanding their understanding of the world.
The Power of Biographical Nonfiction
Biographies are a unique literary genre that provides readers with a deep dive into someone’s life, offering an intimate look at how pivotal figures shaped their world. Unlike autobiographies, which can be coloured by personal bias, biographies are often based on extensive research, documents, and interviews, making them a more objective reflection on the life in question.
Reading biographies can foster empathy, give us new perspectives, and help us navigate our own lives by learning from others’ experiences. From James Baldwin’s insights on race in America to Cesar Chavez’s crusade for workers’ rights, the stories in these books resonate far beyond their subjects’ lives, giving readers tools for reflection and inspiration.
1. Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own
By Eddie S. Glaude
A powerful examination of Baldwin’s life, weaving his words and ideas with today’s racial tensions in America. A must-read for those interested in racial justice and Baldwin’s impact on literature and politics.
2. The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk
By Randy Shilts
A deep dive into the life of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay public officials in America, and his groundbreaking work for the LGBTQ+ community in the 1970s.
3. The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography
By Miriam Pawel
A comprehensive look at the life of Cesar Chavez, exploring his leadership in the American farmworkers’ movement and his lasting influence on labor rights.
4. Alice Walker: A Life
By Evelyn C. White
This biography delves into the life of Alice Walker, the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, exploring her literary contributions and her role as an activist.
5. In Love and Struggle: The Revolutionary Lives of James and Grace Lee Boggs
By Stephen M. Ward
The intertwined lives of James and Grace Lee Boggs, a revolutionary couple whose activism spanned labor rights, civil rights, and urban development.
6. The Brontë Cabinet: Three Lives in Nine Objects
By Deborah Lutz
This innovative biography brings the Brontë sisters to life by examining nine objects they cherished, offering a new perspective on their lives and works.
7. Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero
By David Maraniss
A moving tribute to Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican baseball legend who transcended sports to become a humanitarian icon.
8. Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics
By Jeremy Schaap
The story of Jesse Owens’ victory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where his performance challenged the ideology of Nazi Germany.
9. Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama
By Diane Carol Fujino
A riveting biography of Yuri Kochiyama, whose activism spanned Japanese-American internment, the civil rights movement, and Black-Asian solidarity.
10. Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914–1948
By Ramachandra Guha
A detailed look at Gandhi’s most transformative years, from his time in South Africa to his leadership in India’s independence movement.
11. Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
By Sarah Vowell
This biography tells the story of the Marquis de Lafayette and his adventures in the American Revolution, offering a fresh take on this historical figure.
12. Endgame: Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall
By Frank Brady
An exploration of the life of chess genius Bobby Fischer, untangling the complexities of his personality and his genius.
13. The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo
By Tom Reiss
The Pulitzer Prize–winning biography of Alex Dumas, the father of Alexandre Dumas, whose life inspired many of his son’s novels.
14. Wong Kar-Wai: Auteur of Time
By Stephen Teo
A captivating look at the life of Hong Kong’s iconic filmmaker, Wong Kar-Wai, known for films like In the Mood for Love.
15. Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch
By Sally Bedell Smith
A detailed look at the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, exploring her responsibilities and her role as a modern monarch.
16. Cocktails with George and Martha: Movies, Marriage, and the Making of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
By Philip Gefter
An inside look at the making of the iconic film Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and the complex relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
17. A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee’s Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival
By Melissa Fleming
The incredible true story of Doaa Al Zamel, a Syrian refugee who survived one of the most dangerous sea crossings in the world.
18. Invisible: The Forgotten Story of the Black Woman Lawyer Who Took Down America’s Most Powerful Mobster
By Stephen L. Carter
A riveting biography of Eunice Hunton Carter, who played a key role in the conviction of Mafia boss Lucky Luciano.
19. Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
A fun and informative biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, filled with quotes, illustrations, and pop culture references.
20. Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston
By Valerie Boyd
An in-depth exploration of Zora Neale Hurston’s life and literary achievements, set against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance.
21. The Life of Samuel Johnson
By James Boswell
A classic biography of the 18th-century literary giant Samuel Johnson, a man of immense talent who struggled with many personal demons.
22. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
By Doris Kearns Goodwin
A compelling portrait of Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War, focusing on his ability to bring together his former political rivals.
23. Ninth Street Women
By Mary Gabriel
A fascinating look at the women who helped shape the American art world in the mid-20th century, including Joan Mitchell and Elaine de Kooning.
24. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
By Rebecca Skloot
The incredible story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells revolutionized medicine, but were taken without her knowledge.
25. John Adams
By David McCullough
This Pulitzer Prize–winning biography brings to life the second president of the United States, John Adams, and his role in shaping the nation.
26. Steve Jobs
By Walter Isaacson
A comprehensive biography of Apple founder Steve Jobs, based on dozens of interviews with Jobs and those who knew him.
27. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men
By James Agee
A moving account of three sharecropper families in the American South during the Great Depression, combining prose and photography.
28. Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation
By Kate Bornstein and S. Bear Bergman
A collection of stories from artists and activists across the trans spectrum, offering a diverse look at gender identity.
29. Ten Days a Madwoman: The Daring Life and Turbulent Times of Nelly Bly
By Deborah Noyes
The story of journalist Nelly Bly, who feigned insanity to expose the horrors of the Women’s Lunatic Asylum in 1887.
30. Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life
By Lydia Moland
A biography of Lydia Maria Child, one of the first successful female authors and a staunch abolitionist whose activism cost her career.
31. Churchill: A Life
By Martin Gilbert
An in-depth look at the life of Winston Churchill, from his early days as a soldier to his leadership during World War II.
32. Einstein: His Life and Universe
By Walter Isaacson
A biography of Albert Einstein that examines not just his scientific achievements but his personal life and relationships.
33. Eleanor Roosevelt: The Early Years
By Blanche Wiesen Cook
This first volume of a three-part biography explores the early life of one of America’s greatest First Ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt.
34. Alexander Hamilton
By Ron Chernow
The definitive biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father whose life was recently popularized by the hit musical Hamilton.
35. Kamala’s Way: An American Life
By Dan Morain
A biography of Vice President Kamala Harris, chronicling her journey from her immigrant family roots to her role as one of the most influential women in U.S. politics.
More Than Just Stories
By reading these biographies, you’ll not only get to know some of history’s most inspiring figures, but you’ll also discover new perspectives on resilience, leadership, and the human condition. From sports heroes like Jesse Owens to literary giants like the Brontë sisters, these books are windows into extraordinary lives that can provide valuable insights for readers today.
So, whether you’re a seasoned biography enthusiast or just beginning to explore the genre, this list of 35 biographies promises to keep you riveted and leave you deeply inspired.
