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Biographies & Autobiographies

So why are we interested how other people lived and died? What can we learn from them? How much research goes into writing a biography?

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  • Marcy G

    A good, readable presidential biography--know one?

    Just finished Doris Goodwin Kearn's No Ordinary Time and it was great. It helped that there was a strong female presence (obviously Eleanor) in the book and that it read like a novel. Read the Carl Bernstein bio of Hillary Clinton and that was great too. Anyone know of anything that reads almost like fiction?

    Thanks!
    Marcy G started this discussion 8 months ago. ( reply )

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  • Kate MacDonald

    Kate MacDonald 

    Truman by David McCullough is one of the best books ever.
    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )
    show 1 reply
  • David H

    David H 

    Agreed on Roosevelt. TRex is a great read about a true character. I also enjoyed John Adams, but it could be considered dry.
    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )
  • Sanaa

    Sanaa 

    David McCullough is VERY readable. Even the 700-page "John Adams" was easy to get through and very interesting.
    posted 8 months ago. ( reply )
  • PJ

    PJ 

    I have the brilliant (?) idea to read a biography on each of the presidents... starting, of course, with Washington. I see there are quite a few... anyone know a good one? PJ
    posted 7 months ago. ( reply )
    show 1 reply
    • Matt M

      Matt M 

      I really enjoyed "His Excellency: George Washington" by Joseph J. Ellis.
      posted 4 months ago. ( reply )
  • deactivated member 

    Richard Reeves has two great books, President Kennedy: Profile of Power and President Nixon: Alone in the White House.
    posted 6 months ago. ( reply )
  • woman of the word

    woman of the word 

    You might enjoy Dearest Friend by Lynne Withey. It's about the relationship between John and Abigail Adams, particularly focusing on their correspondence. I read it right after I read John McCullough's book on John Adams (also a great read), and enjoyed it thoroughly.
    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )
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    • Bennnc63

      Bennnc63 

      Just watching the John Adams mini series, and I am intrested in a Adams bio. Which of the 2 books you mentioned to you consider the best??
      posted 4 months ago. ( reply )
  • two-sticks

    two-sticks 

    I'm just finishing re-reading "The Arrogance of Power, the secret world of Richard Nixon" by Anthony Summers. My second read-through, back to back, this time taking notes for a project. Nixon has fascinated me for over 30 years and I've read quit a bit on him; Summers' book gave me many new details and insights into who must be the oddest, most tormented man to have been President. Don't know if this would be such a page-turner for someone not so fascinated by Nixon but I recommend this most highly.
    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )
  • Jamie B

    Jamie B 

    The Doro Bush Koch book about George H. W. Bush (her Dad) is very readable. It's called My Father My President.
    posted 4 months ago. ( reply )
  • Narom d

    Narom d 

    "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" and "TRex" by Edmund Morris are SUPERB reading! Also another good read is "Mornings on Horseback" by David McCullough detailed TR's early years up to the time he became President.

    Ulysses S. Grant, A Personal Memoirs is a must read for all lovers of auto-bio; as well as "Grant" by Jean Edward Smith.
    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )
  • aaron s

    aaron s 

    this isn't a biography, but its about teddy roosevelt and his exploration in the amazon. Its called the river of doubt. Great book! quick read and very gripping and a true story.
    posted 3 months ago. ( reply )
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