We’ve rounded up a collection of the best autobiographies, pop culture classics, celebrity reads to the best, they’re all worth reading at least once in your life.
Autobiography
The best autobiography ever includes memoirs of famous historical figures, writers, politicians, celebrities, and more. From war survivors to glamorous Hollywood stars, our list of the best autobiographies features incredible stories, celebrities, and celebrities from everyday life, so there’s something for everyone.
What is an Autobiography?
An autobiography is a self-written account of one’s own life. It can be written by oneself or in collaboration with others. The word “autobiography” derives from the Greek words “auto” and “bios”.
A biography is a written account of another person’s life. Biographies are usually written about people who have made significant contributions to their field, or about figures of significant public interest.
What is an autobiography?
Different Types of Autobiographies
Different types of autobiographies include biographies, memoirs, and personal essays. They tell the story of one person’s life and how they impacted the world in various ways.
Biographies are written from the perspective of a single subject. They typically start with childhood memories and go through to adulthood. Memoirs are written by a single author, but they are not necessarily about their life as an individual. Personal essays focus on a specific topic or issue that is relevant to the author’s life or experiences.
Top 10 Best Autobiographies books of all time
Autobiographies are a form of non-fiction writing, which means that they are usually written by the person who experienced the event. The author tells his or her life story and reveals their thoughts and feelings. Autobiographies are often written at the end of a person’s life as an attempt to leave behind some information about themselves and their lives for posterity.
The 10 best autobiographies books you need to read before you die:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a book, as well as a movie, about the life of Malcolm X. The autobiography is about his experiences with both whites and blacks.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
A Long Walk to Freedom is a compelling autobiography of Nelson Mandela, who was the president of South Africa and a civil rights leader. This autobiographical book covers his life from his childhood to the time before he became president. It was written in the 1990s and tells about how Mandela went from being a criminal to one of the most respected political figures in history.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
In this book, the author tells of his upbringing and his coming of age in South Africa. He tells about all the people who touched his life and how, even though it was risky, he had a childhood filled with love.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I know why the caged bird sings because it is free. This book can be described as a memoir of Maya Angelou’s life, but also as her opinion on what it was like to grow up in 1930s America. She shares her story of becoming a young mother and subsequently being abused by her husband while still trying to maintain her dream of becoming a writer.
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Anne Frank wrote about her life in hiding for over two years during World War II. She was born in 1929 and had a normal childhood until the Nazi occupation. The family was forced to go into hiding, but this did not stop Anne from revealing her thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a diary.
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah
A Long Way Gone the memoir of Ishmael Beah is a heart-wrenching account of a child soldier in Sierra Leone. He tells about his life as a young boy and how he was forced to fight for the army. His story is powerful and amazingly written and should not be missed.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by American author Zora Neale Hurston. Published in 1937, the book tells the life story of a woman named Janie Crawford, spanning three decades of her life. It is written in the Southern dialect called “African American Vernacular English”.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into over 40 languages and was one of the most popular books in publishing history. The book discusses themes such as racism, injustice, and justice.
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London is a classic tale of poverty, starvation, and the lengths to which people will go to survive. The protagonist of the novel, James Downey, is an honest but unfortunate man who has an unending drive to make his situation better. After a series of unfortunate events leads him to the streets of Paris, he takes on various menial jobs in order to make a living.
My Life as an Indian, 1927-1953
An Autobiography from Tehachapi, California to Washington D.C., from Hollywood to Wounded Knee by Harry Smith (with a foreword by Robert Redford).
Born in 1927 in Tehachapi, California, he would spend his formative years on a family-owned ranch near the town. When he was nine years old, he would meet Edward Curtis and develop a lifelong fascination with Native American culture. His early years were spent in the desert and he would later travel throughout America in search of the “lost tribes.”After graduating from Stanford University at age nineteen, Harry embarked on a career as an archaeologist but retired after twenty-three years to pursue photography as his main artistic passion. He has worked extensively photographing Native Americans and traveled with them to their homelands. “My Life as an Indian” presents a fascinating account of the life and times of Harry Smith, who lived through some of the most momentous events in American history.
10 best autobiographies you should also know
1) The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin’s timeless autobiography is well worth reading. This timeless autobiography is a must-read if you want to learn about the treatment of Jews during World War II, the history of events, and the war
2) A fortunate life by Albert Facey
The book tells the story of Albert Fassi, a young man born into a very poor family in rural Victoria in 1894, who is forced to go his own way from the age of eight due to family problems and poverty.
3) Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
This book is a compelling story about Bruce Springsteen’s long sprint to the top and the lesson you can’t escape from is yourself.
4) Mark Twain’s autobiography
Mark Twain’s autobiography is fun to read and one of the best books you can read. The only thing I will say is that this book is an excellent read; one that you cannot suppress. It is by no means great literature, but I recently re-read the book and it is still, even after so many years, a real turning point.
5) Open Book by Jessica Simpson
This book is a chance to laugh and cry with Jessica, who belongs to her
6) The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl is as enjoyable to read as it is to converse with a childhood friend.
7) Long Walk Freedom by Nelson Mandela
This autobiography of about 700 pages is not an easy read, but it is a book that everyone should read at least once in their life. I am an avid reader and this book completely changed my outlook on life.
8) Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton and John Huey
I recommend this book. This book is one of the best autobiographical books available in audio format.
9) On Writing: A Memoir of The Craft by Stephen King
The first part of the autobiography explores King’s addiction to drugs and alcohol, his struggles before and after his rise to fame, and a near-fatal car accident he was involved in while writing the book.
10) Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
“Angela’s Ashes” is a classic book written by Frank McCourt, an Irish author. The book follows the author’s childhood and the poverty he lived through in his family. The story mirrors his own struggles and mental health issues he experienced throughout his childhood.
Conclusion
If you’re an avid reader of autobiographies, you’ll probably recognize the vast majority of the best autobiographies, the following are listed for you.