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20 Best Autobiography Books (2023 Update)
Are you looking for the Best Autobiography Books? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Autobiography Books can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as LEGO, Nintendo, Penguin Random House, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Autobiography Books available.
The average cost is $15.22. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $5.93 to a high of $24.00.
Based on the research we did, we think Educated: A Memoir [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Autobiography Books (20 Sellers)
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Features:
- An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a phd from cambridge university
- One of . . . the new york times book review’s must-know literary events of 2018
- Bbc’s books look ahead 2018
Features:
- Binding: paperback
- Language of text: english
- Publication year: 2010
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 1998-12-31
- Number of pages: 460
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Year published: 2008-05-13
- Number of pages: 358
Features:
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: harperone
- Year published: 2022-04-26
Features:
- A celebrity autobiography produced without a ghostwriter.
- Details the author's rise from impoverished london boyhood to international stardom.
Features:
- A moving foreword by utah jazz great john stockton
- An epilogue written by gail miller, larry's wife
- Numerous photographs
Features:
- Eye-catching design to attract the people
- Ideal for students and professionals alike
- Made up of premium quality material
Features:
- The music autobiography of autumn 2020 – godfather of electropop gary numan's remarkable story
- Binding type: hardback
- Publisher: little, brown book group
Features:
- Publisher: harpersport
- Publisher date: 2014-06-05
- Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 4.2 cm
Features:
- Confess (book new)
- Label: hachette books
- Format: books
Features:
- Pray in faith and receive answers
- Seek god for direction
- Find the ultimate purpose for your life
Features:
- People "an absorbing tale of artistry, decadence, and redemption.".
- Los angeles times "one of the very best rock autobiographies ever.".
- Houston chronicle "a glorious rock history.".
Features:
- Books for a better life
- 2006 finalist
- Wilson senior high core col
$14.25
5.0
Features:
- Languages: english
- Product format: paperback
- Publisher: plume usa
$5.93
5.0
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: barnes & noble inc
- Year published: 2003-12-01
$17.09$15.79
5.0
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: bantam doubleday dell publishing group inc
- Year published: 1999-07-31
$7.99
5.0
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: random house usa inc
- Year published: 20070403
$12.49
5.0
Features:
- Languages: english
- Product format: hardback
- Publisher: hendrickson publishing
1. Educated: A Memoir [Book]
Product Details:
#1 new york times, wall street journal, and boston globe bestseller – named one of the ten best books of the year by the new york times book review – one of president barack obama's favorite books of the year – bill gates's holiday reading list – finalist for the national book critics circle's award in autobiography – finalist for the national book critics circle's john leonard prize for best first book – finalist for the pen/jean stein book award – finalist for the los angeles book prize named one of paste's best memoirs of the decade – named one of the best books of the year by the washington post – o: the oprah magazine – time – npr – good morning america – san francisco chronicle – the guardian – the economist – financial times – newsday – new york post – the – skimm – refinery29 – bloomberg – self – real simple – town & country – bustle – paste – publishers weekly – library journal – library – reads – book – riot – pamela paul, kqed – new york public library an unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a ph – d from cambridge university – born to survivalists in the mountains of idaho, tara westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of tara's older brothers became violent. when another brother got himself into college, tara decided to try a new kind of life. her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to harvard and to cambridge university. only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home." beautiful and propulsive . . .
Reviews:
A incredibly powerful memoir about how a young daughter of a large isolationist, religious family that views government hospitals and schools with great suspicion grows up and through a series of decisions becomes a Harvard and Cambridge educated scholar. This story provides the space to contemplate some difficult but highly relevant topics such as self identity vs family ties, ones childhood memories vs memories of others you grew up with, loving ones family even when one's been ostracized. While some of the childhood stories are dark in nature and even frightening at times, it's also really funny at many points. Overall, just an incredibly powerful story that touches on self identity, self preservation, growing past very difficult childhood challenges, learning to deal with dysfunctional families, and ultimately about being true to ones self.jbtwarehouse
Difficult to read. Impossible to put down. A powerful, powerful book that you shouldn’t miss. I can’t just leave it at that because Tara Westover’s story deserves more than those few words. I don’t often read memoirs, but when I do I want them to be told by extraordinary people who have a meaningful story to tell and that would be faint praise for this book. It sounds odd to say how beautifully written this is because we are not spared of the ugly details of what this family was about, but yet it is beautifully written. I had to remind myself at times that I wasn’t reading a gritty novel, that Tara and her family were real as I got more than just a glimpse of a life that was hard for me to even imagine.prem.p
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a difficult read, and for numerous reasons, the first being Tara's childhood. It's very difficult to imagine her life when I have no reference point, having had a "normal" childhood. She has no reference point to compare to her traumatic childhood, thus bringing her to spontaneously go back to her childhood home periodically, with the hope that things would change for the better. Her quest for knowledge outweighed her fears of failure, although failure was always a component in her mind. Her strength overcame her weaknesses, which is an amazing attainment! I must commend her for her continued drive to survive her past, and become a hero for others to admire and respect. Take the time to read this eye-opening memoir!Nancee
2. Open: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
#1 national bestsellerfar more than a superb memoir about the highest levels of professional tennis, open is the engrossing story of a remarkable life. andre agassi had his life mapped out for him before he left the crib. groomed to be a tennis champion by his moody and demanding father, by the age of twenty-two agassi had won the first of his eight grand slams and achieved wealth, celebrity, and the game’s highest honors. but as he reveals in this searching autobiography, off the court he was often unhappy and confused, unfulfilled by his great achievements in a sport he had come to resent. agassi writes candidly about his early success and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, his marriage to brooke shields, his growing interest in philanthropy, and—described in haunting, point-by-point detail—the highs and lows of his celebrated career.
Reviews:
Excellent read, hard to put down.hufstad
Good juicy book! I’m not even a tennis fan and I devoured this autobiography! Highly recommend!PeachPie
3. The Autobiography Of Malcolm X [Book]
Product Details:
If there was any one man who articulated the anger the struggle and the beliefs of african americans in the 1960s that man was malxolm x. his autobiography is now an established classic of modern america a book that expresses like none other the crucial truth about our times. extraordinary. a brilliant painful important book.
Specifications:
| Weight | 2.76 lb |
Reviews:
Being penned by a skilled author, from countless hours of interviews, it reads like an exiting novel. So, no risk of history being boring. In fact, it is a little bit shocking. But most of all, the understanding and insight we can gain from this book should be mandatory for all who have not lived such a frightening life themselves.elliotsn
Gripping and paradigm-opening history of a man who was critical to the civil rights effort of the 1960s; more than that, it's the story of a life lived under extraordinary circumstances by a person who continually rose to the occasion through incredible struggle. Malcolm X is a personal hero of mine after reading this book, and inspired further study into the history of race relations and color-based discrimination in the United States. Fascinating read and I recommend to everyone.Ana
This a compelling book " hatred bred from hatred" was what someone described it. Malcolm X was saved by the Nation of Islam and worked tirelessly to support it and the Honourable Elijah Mohammed. Unfortunately the leader did not subscribe to the high standards he demanded of his followers and this destroyed Malcolm X ..tannstestep
4. Up Till Now: The Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
And it seems as if shatner is everywhere. winning an emmy for his role on boston legal. in the movie theaters. singing with ben folds. he’s sitting next to jay leno and jimmy kimmel, and he’s practically a regular on howard stern’s show. he was recently honored with election to the academy of television arts & sciences hall of fame. he was a target on a comedy central’s celebrity roast entitled “the shat hits the fan.” in up till now, shatner sits down with readers and offers the remarkable, full story of his life and explains how he got to be, well, everywhere. it was the original star trek series, and later its films, that made shatner instantly recognizable, called by name—or at least by captain kirk’s name—across the globe. but shatner neither began nor has ended his career with that role. from the very start, he took his skills as an actor and put them to use wherever he could. he straddled the classic world of the theater and the new world of television, whether stepping in for christopher plummer in shakespeare’s henry v or staring at “something on the wing” in a classic episode of the twilight zone. and since then, he’s gone on to star in numerous successful shows, such as t.j. hooker, rescue 911, and most recently boston legal. william shatner has always been willing to take risks for his art. what other actor would star in history’s first—and probably only—all-esperanto-language film? who else would share the screen with thousands of tarantulas, release an album called has been, or film a racially incendiary film in the deep south during the height of the civil rights era? and who else would willingly paramotor into a field of waiting fans armed with paintball guns, all waiting for a chance to stun captain…er, shatner? in this touching and very funny autobiography, william shatner reveals the man behind these unforgettable moments, and how he’s become the worldwide star and experienced actor he is today.
Specifications:
| Format/Binding | Hardcover |
| Binding | Hardcover |
| Place of Publication | New York, New York, U.s.a |
| Date Published | 2008-05-12 |
| X weight | 26 oz |
Reviews:
I got this book on the strength of Denny Crane and it is Shatner as he really is.A serious actor well trained in Shakespeare ,he is truely a wonderful person.Yes he has faults but never avoids them and his canadian Jewish humour is always there.Well worth reading for a veiw of a man long thought of as a stiff captain Kirk find the real Shatner behind the mask
Great book great story.. William shatner rules..coup5653.tmhuhz
Great book, very enjoyable, funny and heart warming especially on these rainy days.robcug
5. Assisted: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
A fast, gritty, durable player who could read a basketball floor as well as anyone who ever played the game, john stockton left the nba after nineteen seasons with the utah jazz, holding a massive assist record, including the career mark (15,806). he also twice led the league in steals—with a career total of 3,265—and retired as the nba's all-time leader. and during stockton's career, the jazz never missed the playoffs. coach frank layden said, “nobody thought that he was going to be this good. nobody. but the thing was, nobody measured his heart.” john's autobiography, assisted, pulls back the curtain on his very personal life to show fans a thoughtful recounting of the people, places, and events that have connected with john along his path of extraordinary success. this book clearly illustrates the importance of his family, his faith, and his unparalleled competitive spirit. john stockton became a member of the nba hall of fame in 2009. he and his wife live in spokane, washington.
Reviews:
Thanks for the book, looks great!hunnnerb
6. Finding Me: A Memoir [Book]
Product Details:
Oprah's book club pick – a harpers bazaar best book of 2022 – a parade most anticipated book – a marie claire most anticipated book"it's clear from the first page that davis is going to serve a more intimate, unpolished account than is typical of the average (often ghost-written) celebrity memoir; finding me reads like davis is sitting you down for a one-on-one conversation about her life, warts and all."–usa today"[a] fulfilling narrative of struggle and success…. her gorgeous storytelling will inspire anyone wishing to shed old labels."–los angeles times – in my book, you will meet a little girl named viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. – this is my story, from a crumbling apartment in central falls, rhode island, to the stage in new york city, and beyond. this is the path i took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn't always see me. – as i wrote finding me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. so i wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. for anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you. – finding me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. my hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.
Reviews:
The book was in condition and the 30% sticker peeled off without leaving any marks. Now the actually book, is a must read! I couldn't help but get emotional as Viola took us through her life, I felt like I could relate to what she's been through. The ending and I guess the life she lives now, gave me hope for my own.Faith
Just get the book honestly her story is one that so many in the black community can relate too. ESPECIALLY being a dark skin women even in today’s age. How wanting to do more for yourself then what was presented growing up. Having to work on you so you don’t carry anything into your other relationships. Just growing into life.Taquita
This is an amazing book. It is beautifully written. Viola Davis is so transparent and forthcoming about her life and journey. It was an interesting and emotional story to read. While very raw and often sad, it was equally hopeful and inspiring. Reading this book has really made me love her even more. I highly recommend this book.Kelley
7. What's It All About?: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
This rarity of rarities — a celebrity autobiography produced without a ghostwriter — details the author's rise from impoverished london boyhood to international stardom. born in 1933 and named maurice joseph micklewhite after his father, who was a fish-market porter in london, mr. caine knew as early as the age of 4 that he wanted to be an actor. but there were few in the profession with whom he could identify. he is part of an entire generation of british working-class artists who came to prominence in the 1960's and, in his opinion, even accounted for the decade's extraordinary vitality in england. they arrived with a chip on the shoulder, and by his account, it was their anger that made england swing. as he details his climb up the ladder of fame, mr. caine voice is engagingly confiding. has the appeal of the archetypal show-business memoir in which the poor boy fights his way into the spotlight.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | November 1992 |
| Length | 521 Pages |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 1.8" x 6.5" |
Reviews:
so lightweight can read anywhere and fits into coat pocket, excellent read. Highly recommended.marie7777dolphin
Great story line, only hic up is the print sizedavm_uk_xbih2fifcp
8. Driven: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | May 2004 |
| Length | 304 Pages |
| Dimensions | 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.2" |
Reviews:
Great read about a smart guycolora52
9. Becoming By Obama Michelle Crown
Product Details:
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former first lady of the united states in a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, michelle obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. as first lady of the united states of america–the first african american to serve in that role–she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive white house in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the u.s. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led america through some of its most harrowing moments. along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed carpool karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare. in her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, michelle obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her–from her childhood on the south side of chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address. with unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it–in her own words and on her own terms. warm, wise, and revelatory, becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations–and whose story inspires us to do the same.
Specifications:
| authors | Michelle Obama |
| genre | Biography & Autobiography |
| product_form | hardback |
| publication_date | 2018.11.13 |
| publisher | Crown Publishing Group |
Reviews:
I love this book! I’m usually not a big fan of memoirs or non-fiction in general but her story was so engaging. You can tell right off the bat how intelligent and aware she is and she further proves this by her successes throughout her life. I’m so glad she wrote this book. It’s not boring at all and the writing is absolutely beautiful. I feel lucky to have read this book and it’s definitely going to be one of my top reads this year.Keke
I chose to listen to the book instead of reading it. I believe I got so much more out of it when listening to the author's voice. With her reading it, it gave me the tone that I would have thought she would wanted the readers to hear. It brought the book so much more alive to me. I have raved about this book to so many, some excited about the book and some not but willing to read it. Michelle made her life especially as the former First Lady raw and real. Doesn't matter what political side your on I highly recommend reading or listening ( very highly recommend) this book to get an insiders view on what it's like to be a strong woman who supports her husband in a ( I would say ) very stressful position. Striving to stay a wife, mother, and individual Michelle brings to the reader an amazing story of her journey thus far.Kacey
“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” 4.5 stars. Sometimes I'll do this thing where I don't read/watch something because it's overhyped. I'm not sure what it is. I think it may be that I see it so much on my feed/dash/everywhere that I just … can't bring myself to approach it because I feel like it's in my face too much as it is. I wait for the hype to die down so I can make my own judgement or just … quietly approach it. That's what this book did. It quietly approached me and just … wow. I'll admit, I had no plans of picking this book up, seeing wildly mixed reviews and also just being overly-memoired at the moment. However, Ipicked up Obama's book and the best thing to come out of it is me wanting to read this book. Even in a memoir primarily focused on his presidency and decisions, Michelle Obama shines in that book. So I was curious. And I wasn't disappointed. Michelle Obama is an incredible woman. From the very start. Not when she became First Lady, not because she became First Lady, but just because of who she is. Reading about her life was absolutely fascinating. To learn about her life, starting from her early childhood in the South Side of Chicago all the way to where she is now is quite the journey and she masterfully tells the story where it all just flows so naturally (even if it didn't feel like it to her at the time). It's inspiring to see all the different routes, the what ifs, the doubts, the fear, the courage, all of it laid out for us. One thing's for certain, she's always been a badass, whether she's a hotshot lawyer Harvard Law graduate or First Lady. More than that, what was truly beautiful to read was her empathy, her strength of character, her constant love and wanting to do more for others and push people towards the opportunities she worked so hard for. There were quite a few moments that really got to me, because even on her constant journey to become, her kindness and care for others, whether it be family, women, the underprivileged is just … something else. And it's not all sunshine and success either. There's grief, there's sadness, there are difficulties and doubts, and there's life. I loved seeing (see: reading) all of it. I think, for me, the least interesting parts were the ones about her in the White House and that truly says something because part of me had thought it would have been the opposite. To see Michelle Obama truly becoming Michelle Obama is an experience. Her writing is beautiful yes but it's truly the story that kept me so entirely engaged. The words themselves are simple, straightforward. There's no prose, no fancying of words, and I appreciated it. It's accessible in a way one wouldn't necessarily expect and it speaks to you rather than reads to you, if that makes any sense. I listened to this as an audiobook and at no point did I feel as if I was. It kind of felt like one big speech, but better because there wasn't a moment I wanted to fast forward or skip through. I think I'd like to reread this at some point in its book form, just to really appreciate the words and her story that much more.sara.m
10. Evolution: The Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
From humble beginnings in middlesex, where money was scarce but dreams were encouraged, to the award-winning godfather of electronica, gary numan has seen it all. his incredible story can be charted in two distinct parts… the first: a stratospheric rise to success quickly followed by a painful decline into near obscurity. at school, gary fell through the cracks of the system and was expelled. an unlikely but determined popstar, he earned his first record deal aged nineteen and, two years later, had released four bestselling albums and had twice toured the world. but, aged just twenty-five, it felt like it was all over. gary's early success began to hold him back and he battled to reconcile the transient nature of fame with his asperger's syndrome. the second: a twenty-plus year renaissance catalysed by a date with a super-fan. gary catalogues his fifteen-year struggle with crippling debts, his slow, obstacle-laden journey back to the top (and the insecurity that comes with that) and why savage reaching #2 in 2017 meant more than the heady heights of 1979. gary also candidly discusses the importance of his fans; why having asperger's is a gift at times; the inspiration behind the lyrics; flying around the world in 1981; ivf struggles and the joy of fatherhood and his battle with depression and anxiety. evolution is the rollercoaster rise and fall (and rise) of one man, several dozen synthesisers, multiple issues and two desperately different lives. by turns hilarious and deeply moving, this is gary numan in his own words – a brutally honest reflection on the man behind the music —
Specifications:
| Dimensions | 164 x 236 x 42mm | 770g |
| Imprint | Constable |
| Publication City/Country | London, United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Illustrations note | 16pp. plate section |
Reviews:
Very easy to follow quite large print to read nice pics very honest numan .dfr_gkd_ldr7nwar
A big fan of Gary numan brand newjaplu_8973
11. Undisputed Truth: My Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
Specifications:
Reviews:
Great book and hard to put down. Lots of raw details that are very intriguing. Highly recommend.humble21creations_sales
Mike Tyson kick started a new career for himself with the publication of this excellent autobiography. He took the basic format for the book and turned it into a series of worldwide speaking engagements, including a residency in Las Vegas. The book tells Mikes story in his own inimitable fashion and excells on every level. A highly recommended book for both boxing and non Boxing fans.andrewwarrior
12. Confess: The Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
The legendary frontman of judas priest, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, celebrates five decades of heavy metal in this tell-all memoir. most priests hear confessions. this one is making his. rob halford, front man of global iconic metal band judas priest, is a true "metal god." raised in britain's hard-working, heavy industrial heartland, he and his music were forged in the black country. confess, his full autobiography, is an unforgettable rock 'n' roll story-a journey from a walsall council estate to musical fame via alcoholism, addiction, police cells, ill-fated sexual trysts, and bleak personal tragedy, through to rehab, coming out, redemption . . . and finding love. now, he is telling his gospel truth. told with halford's trademark self-deprecating, deadpan black country humor, confess is the story of an extraordinary five decades in the music industry. it is also the tale of unlikely encounters with everybody from superman to andy warhol, madonna, jack nicholson, and the queen. more than anything else, it's a celebration of the fire and power of heavy metal. rob halford has decided to confess. because it's good for the soul. named one of the best music books of 2020 by rolling stone and kirkus reviews
Reviews:
A real page turner. Bold, no holds barred examination of Halford's life from the man himself.julishanno2
Not only a good lyricist but this man can write a good book. The life and love's of a man hiding his true self amongst a generation that were so not an accepting bunch. Thank god that world is mostly in the past. A must read for anyone musician metalhead gay straight and to anyone who needs to know the importance of acceptance. A raise to fame from the hard working lower class to a power metal band Gotta love Rob Halford the Metal GodShazAndi
13. The Autobiography Of George Müller [Book]
Product Details:
What can be accomplished in an ordinary man who trusts in an extraordinary god? george müller discovered the endless possibilities! these excerpts from his diary allow müller to tell his own story. join him on his journey from a life of sin and rebellion to his glorious conversion. share his struggles and triumphs as he establishes orphan homes to care for thousands of english children, depending on god's response to his prayer of faith to supply all things. you will learn how to: pray in faith and receive answersseek god for directionfind the ultimate purpose for your liferest in god's loving care george müller's unwavering, childlike dependence upon his heavenly father will inspire you to confidently trust the god of the impossible in every area of your life.
Reviews:
14. Clapton: The Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
With striking intimacy and candor, eric clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life in this poignant and honest autobiography. more than a rock star, eric clapton is an icon, a living embodiment of the history of rock music. well known for his reserve in a profession marked by self-promotion, flamboyance, and spin, he now chronicles, for the first time, his remarkable personal and professional journeys. born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents, eric never knew his father and, until the age of nine, believed his actual mother to be his sister. in his early teens his solace was the guitar, and his incredible talent would make him a cult hero in the clubs of britain and inspire devoted fans to scrawl “clapton is god” on the walls of london’s underground. with the formation of cream, the world's first supergroup, he became a worldwide superstar, but conflicting personalities tore the band apart within two years. his stints in blind faith, in delaney and bonnie and friends, and in derek and the dominos were also short-lived but yielded some of the most enduring songs in history, including the classic “layla.” during the late sixties he played as a guest with jimi hendrix and bob dylan, as well as the beatles, the rolling stones, and longtime friend george harrison. it was while working with the latter that he fell for george’s wife, pattie boyd, a seemingly unrequited love that led him to the depths of despair, self-imposed seclusion, and drug addiction. by the early seventies he had overcome his addiction and released the bestselling album 461 ocean boulevard, with its massive hit “i shot the sheriff.” he followed that with the platinum album slowhand, which included “wonderful tonight,” the touching love song to pattie, whom he finally married at the end of 1979. a short time later, however, eric had replaced heroin with alcohol as his preferred vice, following a pattern of behavior that not only was detrimental to his music but contributed to the eventual breakup of his marriage. in the eighties he would battle and begin his recovery from alcoholism and become a father. but just as his life was coming together, he was struck by a terrible blow: his beloved four-year-old son, conor, died in a freak accident. at an earlier time eric might have coped with this tragedy by fleeing into a world of addiction. but now a much stronger man, he took refuge in music, responding with the achingly beautiful “tears in heaven.” clapton is the powerfully written story of a survivor, a man who has achieved the pinnacle of success despite extraordinary demons. it is one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.
Reviews:
I give Eric credit for continuing to be a player through so much adversity. All the people in music & mentioned in the book admire Eric and think he is a pretty special guy. He is not the greatest writer but you get the message. The years of Clapton's youth were wild ones. Everyone was doing drugs. Many were drinking. Young people like to party. Eric had plenty, even more, opportunites to party than most, he is only human. He made lots of terrible mistakes. And He has paid his dues for them. But he has matured and has continued to play. I would have loved to see more pictures of the what he describes as 'back in the day'. A must read for Clapton Fans, and for those unfamiliar with those times…if you're not a 'baby boomer' read this book and learn!queensaver
I hesitated in writing a review of this book being, in general, I don't like to judge people realizing we all have our stories and crosses to bear. So I base the review only on the details in the book. Never being a big fan of his solo work, but enjoying some of the music from the Cream, Traffic, and Blind Faith days, I thought this might be a good book. I enjoy reading about musicians' inspirations in song writing and their funny and 'human' stories along the way. I didn't know much about Clapton and this book is written openly and honestly and contains a lot of minutia. However, it's the most depressing book I've ever read. Realizing a lot of rock stars of that era lived crazy lives, Clapton treated many of his close friends and more-so his relationships with women with zero empathy, no respect, and total disregard for their well being. He seemed to have an 'oh well' attitude and takes no ownership or acknowledgment for his horrendous treatment of people, and then ironically, when similar events happen to him, he is quick to blame others and takes a victim mentality (Poor me. Poor, poor, self-absorbed me). Very sad. Some of the professional reviews call this book 'compelling', 'inspiring' and his journey 'remarkable'. And some on-line reviews say 'insightful' and he's a good guy. Though its quite the opposite. Other than an attempt to do something 'good' near the end with a rehab center, he lived a wretched life and finally grew up in his 50's, after laying waste to numerous lives including his own. And the epilogue seals it all when he says 'I have a past I'm no longer ashamed of'. Huh ? Really !? NO remorse or regret ? My humble two cents….It's his life and his book, but a disappointing and depressing read. And in a funny way, he's now wasted my time, and dragged me down for a few hours of my life. haha : ) Cheers readers and music people !!!!PG
15. An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
The remarkable autobiography of paul rusesabagina, the globally-recognized human rights champion whose heroism inspired the film hotel rwanda “fascinating…your book is called an ordinary man, yet you took on an extraordinary feat with courage, determination, and diplomacy.” – oprah, o, the oprah magazineas rwanda was thrown into chaos during the 1994 genocide, rusesabagina, a hotel manager, turned the luxurious hotel milles collines into a refuge for more than 1,200 tutsi and moderate hutu refugees, while fending off their would-be killers with a combination of diplomacy and deception. in an ordinary man, he tells the story of his childhood, retraces his accidental path to heroism, revisits the 100 days in which he was the only thing standing between his “guests” and a hideous death, and recounts his subsequent life as a refugee and activist.
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16. Nigger: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
Comedian and civil rights activist dick gregory’s million-copy-plus bestselling memoir—now in trade paperback for the first time.“ powerful and ugly and beautiful…a moving story of a man who deeply wants a world without malice and hate and is doing something about it.”—the new york timesfifty-five years ago, in 1964, an incredibly honest and revealing memoir by one of the america's best-loved comedians and activists, dick gregory, was published. with a shocking title and breathtaking writing, dick gregory defined a genre and changed the way race was discussed in america.telling stories that range from his hardscrabble childhood in st. louis to his pioneering early days as a comedian to his indefatigable activism alongside medgar evers and dr. martin luther king, jr., gregory's memoir riveted readers in the sixties. in the years and decades to come, the stories and lessons became more relevant than ever, and the book attained the status of a classic. the book has sold over a million copies and become core text about race relations and civil rights, continuing to inspire readers everywhere with dick gregory's incredible story about triumphing over racism and poverty to become an american legend.
Reviews:
A friend asked for this book for Xmas as they had not been able to find a copy. It was a new clean book.robertm3756
17. Up From Slavery: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
This autobiography of a slave’s rise to distinction asserts that a strong work ethic and excellence in whatever one is doing will be rewarded no matter what race or what position a person holds in life. as far as washington was concerned, slavery only made the black person stronger. he argued that both blacks and whites would benefit more from giving blacks vocational training than from encouraging the “craze for greek & latin learning.” b. du bois, it also set the groundwork for washington’s tuskegee institute to be the best-funded black educational institution of its era.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | October 1991 |
| Length | 368 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2" |
Reviews:
Timeless truths. Everyone should ready this autobiography.bgpen-80
It's a great book and it was in good conditiondixo-bre
Such an amazing book….so glad that I own it!!gasnay_0
18. The Best That I Can Be: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
Rafer johnson's story is the classic american dream: hard work leading to success, honor, and glory. here, he openly writes about his humble beginnings in an obscure african american texas ghetto, his growing up in the all-white, sun-drenched californian town of kingsburg, and his time at ucla as the president of the student body and an acclaimed athlete. his talents brought him to dramatic athletic duels in moscow, melbourne, and rome, and to the glamour of acting, broadcasting, and politics in hollywood, washington, d.c., and the rest of the nation.structured around the ten events of the decathlon, rafer's memoir vividly describes an exceptional life. it introduces remarkable people, both unknown and celebrated (the kennedy family; gloria steinem; bill bright, founder of campus crusade; tom brokaw; and others), who befriended rafer and affected his life. it tells of obstacles and tragedies–crippling injuries, an alcoholic father, the assassination of his close friend robert f. kennedy–and what it takes to overcome them. with tact, integrity, and acute observation, rafer johnson shares the intimate moments that have shaped his life and the lives of others.–this text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews:
19. Iacocca: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
“vintage iacocca . . . he is fast-talking, blunt, boastful, and unabashedly patriotic. lee iacocca is also a genuine folk hero. . . . his career is breathtaking.”—business week he’s an american legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, newsmaker, and a man many had urged to run for president. the son of italian immigrants, lee iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of ford motor company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power play that should have shattered him. but lee iacocca didn’t get mad, he got even. he led a battle for chrysler’s survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, know-how, and guts for millions of americans. in his classic hard-hitting style, he tells us how he changed the automobile industry in the 1960s by creating the phenomenal mustang. he goes behind the scenes for a look at henry ford’s reign of intimidation and manipulation. he recounts the miraculous rebirth of chrysler from near bankruptcy to repayment of its $1.2 billion government loan so early that washington didn’t know how to cash the check.
Reviews:
Very good read. Highly recommended. Motivatinglittlepebble818
I read this book some 40 odd years ago, this copy was for my son to possible learn from and be inspired.David H.
20. Fanny J. Crosby: An Autobiography [Book]
Product Details:
The author of over 8,000 hymns that remain today at the very heart of christian worship around the world, fanny j. crosby can be ranked among the greatest christian hymn writers of all time. her songs are woven so intricately into america's spiritual life that there is scarcely a hymnal that does not include one of her memorable pieces. through lyrics that evoke in us times and experiences long forgotten, her hymns have lost none of their power to express the truth about god's work and love. herein are her memories of eighty years. told in her own words, this book relates her story of a life characterized by great spiritual depth and profuse creativity. though blind since infancy, fanny crosby overcame great prejudice to become a poet and teacher, much beloved and respected. she lived a remarkable life and her passion for god infused her lyrics with evangelistic zeal that points people to a loving and welcoming lord. hendrickson classic biographies feature enduring stories about real people whose lives have been touched and transformed by god, and who in turn have touched others with god's love. each story has been carefully selected, gently edited if necessary, and freshly typeset, making every account–be it ancient or contemporary–a compelling read. great lives reaching across the ages to touch lives today, encouraging, challenging, and inspiring.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Excellent biography about a woman of faith. Her gift of writing songs came from on high. The author really gave a vivid picture of her trials and tribulations that helped mold her. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in gospel music and the power yielding yourself to the will of God.member419874
Excellent price, product, and communication.revgmh
This is a wonderful story about a little known woman, who had many things in her life that would have held any person back. She was a very tiny woman who happen to be blind, but was very gifted in the things of God. She wrote most of the christan songs of her time. Her life was filled with the music and songs of Heaven.Fanny never married, she was even discribed as being long in face (not very pretty).This is a book that could inspire anyone.This book has enriched my life with the reminder that no matter who you are, God can use you. I am grateful to find this book and would encourage any woman or man to read it.watchman1948deloice
