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Biography & Memoir

Welcome to our Biography & Memoir section, where the real stories of extraordinary heroes come to life. Here, you'll find tales of courage, resilience, and inspiration from people who have shaped the world or navigated incredible journeys. Browse books that remind us of our shared humanity and the infinite ways we can all impact the world.

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Staff Picks

Perspective

Perspective

By Shaun Johnson

A Story of Seasons by John Doe is a captivating biography detailing the author's journey through personal and professional milestones....

A Different Kind of Power

A Different Kind of Power

By Jacinda Ardern

In A Different Kind of Power, Jacinda Ardern shares her journey, reflecting on her experiences as a world leader and...

Driven

Driven

By Susie Wolff

Driven by Mx Anonymous and Susie Wolff is a compelling memoir that delves into the exhilarating world of motorsport and...

Fahrenheit-182

Fahrenheit-182

By Mark Hoppus

Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus offers an insightful glimpse into the life and career of the blink-182 frontman. This memoir delves...

Careless People

Careless People

By Sarah Wynn-Williams

Careless People by Anon and Sarah Wynn-Williams explores the lives of those embroiled in the Jazz Age, providing a rich...

Attention

Attention

By Anne Enright

Attention by Anne Enright is a compelling exploration of artistic inspiration and the nuances of creativity. Through personal anecdotes and...

A Dim Prognosis

A Dim Prognosis

By Ivor Popovich

A Dim Prognosis by Ivor Popovich delves into the author's introspective journey following a life-altering medical diagnosis. Through poignant reflections,...

The Bookseller at the End of the World

The Bookseller at the End of the World

By Ruth Shaw

Set in a remote New Zealand village, this heartwarming tale follows a passionate bookseller who runs a cozy bookshop at...

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To read is to have experiences; every book changes my life at least a little bit. The first time I can remember this happening was when I was 10, with a biography of Thomas Edison.

Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.

If you read enough biography and history, you learn how people have dealt successfully or unsuccessfully with similar situations or patterns in the past. It doesn't give you a template of answers, but it does help you refine the questions you have to ask yourself.

Whereas fiction is a continual discovery of what one wants to say, what one feels, what one means, and is, in that sense, a performance art, biography requires different skills - research and organization.

I think a biography is only as interesting as the lives and times it illuminates.