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The 30 best biographies to add to your reading list

Some stories involve incredible, larger-than-life characters. These are the best biographies ever written.

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro
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Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
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Eisenhower in War and Peace
Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith
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Edison: A Biography
Edison: A Biography by Matthew Josephson
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Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office
Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office by Zach O’Malley Greenburg
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Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer
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Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Titan: The Life of John. D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow
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Washington: A Life
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
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Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
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Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time
Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time by Joseph Frank
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Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvelous Works of Nature and Man
Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvelous Works of Nature and Man by Martin Kemp
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Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury
Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Leslie-Ann Jones
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Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes
Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald Barlett
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Alan Turing: The Enigma
Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges
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Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
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Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo
Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera
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Into the Wild
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
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Prince: A Private View
Prince: A Private View by Afshin Shahidi
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Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
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Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President
Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher
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Mao: The Unknown Story
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang
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A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell 
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Black Boy by Richard Wright
Black Boy by Richard Wright
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Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
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Shoe Dog
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley
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Born a Crime
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
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The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
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Robin
Robin by Davie Itzkoff
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Writing a great biography is no easy task. The author is charged with capturing some of the most iconic and influential people on the planet, folks that often have larger than life personas. To capture that in words is a genuine challenge that the best biographers relish.

The very best biographies don't just hold a mirror up to these remarkable characters. Instead, they show us a different side of them, or just how a certain approach of philosophy fueled their game-changing ways. Biographies inform, for certain, but they entertain and inspire to no end as well.

Below, we gathered a comprehensive list of the best biographies ever written. Some of these biographies were selected because of the subject matter and others were chosen because of the biographer. It’s often said that reading biographies is the best way to gain new knowledge, so we suggest you start with these great selections. If you love history, you’ll certainly want to include these best history books to your home library.

Robert Caro's "The Power Broker Robert Moses and the Fall of New York" on white background.
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The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro

The former parks commissioner of New York, Robert Moses was a man who got power, loved power, and was transformed by power. This 1,000-plus page biography could be the definitive study of power and legacy. It’s a great learning tool of mostly what not to be and who not to become.

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro
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Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Totto-Chan is a special figure in modern Japanese culture and is on the same celebrity status level as Oprah is to us here in the United States. The book describes the childhood in pre-World War II Japan of a misunderstood girl who suffered from attention disorders and excessive energy and who later was mentored by a very special school principal who truly understood her. The book has sold more than 5 million copies in Japan.

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
Eisenhower in War and Peace
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Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith

The man who was responsible for winning World War II, twice prevented the use of nuclear weapons, and attempted to keep our soldiers out of Vietnam, all while making it look easy, is none other than Dwight D. Eisenhower. This biography is a history lesson as well as an opportunity to get inside the mind of a brilliant man.

Eisenhower in War and Peace
Eisenhower in War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith
Edison: A Biography by Matthew Josephson
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Edison: A Biography by Matthew Josephson

This particular biography dates back more than 50 years, which means it was written without the worry of being politically correct or controversial, but instead focused on providing a conclusive picture of the man. Modern enough to be historically accurate, this biography details a lot of the little-known facts about Mr. Edison in addition to his accomplishments, as well as his failures.

Edison: A Biography
Edison: A Biography by Matthew Josephson
Empire State of Mind by Zach O’Malley Greenburg
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Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office by Zach O’Malley Greenburg

Empire State of Mind is both an unofficial biography of the rap mogul Jay-Z as well as a business book. It shows how the rapper hustled his way to the top of the music industry to become one of the most powerful and influential people in music.

Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office
Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office by Zach O’Malley Greenburg
Where Men Win Glory
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Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer

The story of the professional football player who gave up a $3 million NFL contract to join the Army Rangers after 9/11, only to die under suspicious circumstances in the hills of Afghanistan, is a book about everything that is right and wrong with the U.S. military. Pat Tillman wasn’t perfect, but he was a man we could all learn something from. His incredible story is one of bravery and selflessness -- and will forever be tied to the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer
Titan: The Life of John. D. Rockefeller Sr.
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Titan: The Life of John. D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow has written some of the best biographies of our time. In this 832-page biography of John. D. Rockefeller, he shares the main lessons you would take away from someone like Rockefeller, a strangely stoic, incredibly resilient, and -- despite his reputation as a robber baron -- humble and compassionate man. Most successful people get worse as they age, but Rockefeller instead became more open-minded and more generous. The biography also details his wrongdoings and permits you the opportunity to make your own judgment on Rockefeller’s character.

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
Titan: The Life of John. D. Rockefeller Sr. by Ron Chernow
A Life by Ron Chernow
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Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

Another example of Chernow’s brilliance in biographical writing is given in his biography of George Washington. Today, we study Washington not only for his against-the-odds military victory over a superior British Army but also for his strategic vision, which is partially responsible for many of the most enduring American institutions and practices. It’s another long read of the type Chernow is famous for, but it's also a page-turner. Although it’s intimidating to look at, the reading time goes by quickly.

Washington: A Life
Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
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Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson has written some of the greatest biographies in contemporary literature. Our modern-day genius, Steve Jobs, will forever be remembered as the mastermind who brought us Apple. This biography shows Jobs at his best, which includes illustrations of his determination and creativity but also details the worst of him, including his tyrannical and vicious ways of running a business (and his family). From this book, you will learn to appreciate the man for the genius that he was, but it will most likely not inspire you to follow in his path.

Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
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Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford

Most depictions show the Mongols as bloodthirsty pillagers, but in this biography, we are also shown how they introduced many progressive advances to their conquered nations. You will learn how Genghis Khan abolished torture, permitted universal religious freedom, and destroyed existing feudal systems.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford
A Writer in His Time
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Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time by Joseph Frank

his five-volume retelling of the life and times of Russian literary giant Fyodor Dostoevsky is considered the best biography available on the subject. The mammoth exploration sheds light on Dostoevsky's works, ideology, and historical context. For those who are not specifically interested in the famous author, the also book paints a picture of 19th-century Russia.

Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time
Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time by Joseph Frank
Leonardo da Vinci
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Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvelous Works of Nature and Man by Martin Kemp

Kemp’s account of da Vinci’s life and work is considered the go-to biography of the famous Renaissance figure. This incredible book sheds light on one of the most creative figures who ever lived, guiding readers through a fully integrated account of his scientific, artistic, and technological works, as well as the life events that helped form the man that made them.

Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvelous Works of Nature and Man
Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvelous Works of Nature and Man by Martin Kemp
An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury
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Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Leslie-Ann Jones

After the massive success of the movie recently released about rock legend Freddie Mercury and his band, Queen, you might be interested in learning more about the frontman. This biography draws from hundreds of interviews with key figures in his life to create a revealing glimpse into Mercury’s life.

Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury
Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Leslie-Ann Jones
The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald Barlett
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Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald Barlett

This is an epic biography of an epic man. It shows the heights of his incredible success as well as the depths of his inner struggles. Readers learn about the tough but eccentric figure in a story that details his incredible success as an aviator, film producer, and more.

Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes
Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald Barlett
A cover of "Alan Turing The Enigma."
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Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges

The brilliant mathematician, cytologist, and computer pioneer Alan Turing is beautifully depicted in this biography. It covers his heroic code-breaking efforts during World War II, his computer designs and contributions to mathematical biology in the years following, and the vicious persecution that befell him in the 1950s when homosexual acts were still a crime and punishable by law.

Alan Turing: The Enigma
Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
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Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Of course, we couldn’t highlight Ron Chernow’s best works without including his biography on Alexander Hamilton, which is not only the inspiration for a hit Broadway musical but also a work of creative genius itself. Another more than 800-page book (an ongoing theme for Chernow biographies), this book details every knowable moment of the youngest Founding Father’s life, from his role in the Revolutionary War and early American government to his sordid affair with Maria Reynolds. If you’ve seen the musical, this book will help answer a lot of those burning questions that you may have.

Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
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Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

The focal point of this biography is not the suffering that was endured by Frida Kahlo, but instead, her artistic brilliance and her immense resolve to leave her mark on the world. Herrera’s 1983 biography of one of the most recognizable names in modern art has since become the definitive account of her life.

Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo
Frida: The Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera
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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Recommended reading for any adventurer or explorer -- the story of Christopher McCandless, aka Alexander Supertramp, who hitchhiked to Alaska and disappeared into the Denali wilderness in April 1992 only to have his remains discovered in his shelter five months later -- Into the Wild retraces his steps along the trek, attempting to discover what the young man was looking for on his journey. Krakauer delivers one of the best biography books in recent memory.

Into the Wild
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
The cover of "Prince: A Private View"
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Prince: A Private View by Afshin Shahidi

Compiled after the superstar’s untimely death in 2016, this intimate snapshot into the life of Prince is largely visual. The author served as the musician’s private photographer from the early 2000s until his passing. You already know the expression, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and in this case, they are worth a lot more.

Prince: A Private View
Prince: A Private View by Afshin Shahidi
The cover of "Rosemary The Hidden Kennedy Daughter" on white background.
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Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson

The “Kennedy Curse” didn’t bring forth an assassination or a mysterious plane crash for Rosemary Kennedy, although her fate might have been the worst of them all. As if her botched lobotomy that left her almost completely incapacitated weren’t enough, her parents then hid her away from society, almost never to be seen again. Penned by Kennedy scholar Kate Larson, the full truth of her post-lobotomy life is finally revealed.

Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
Trump Revealed
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Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher

Love him or hate him, Donald Trump is likely the most divisive U.S. president of modern times. The comprehensive biography of Trump is reported by a team of award-winning Washington Post journalists and co-authored by investigative political reporter Michael Kranish and senior editor Marc Fisher. The book gives the reader an insight into Trump, from his upbringing in Queens to his turbulent careers in real estate and entertainment to his astonishing rise as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President
Trump Revealed: The Definitive Biography of the 45th President by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher
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Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang

Most are familiar with the revolutionary Mao Zedong. This carefully curated biography by Jung Chang digs deeper into the life of the "Red Emperor." You won't find these interviews and stories about the world leader in history books alone. This extensive account of the man known simply as Mao begins with a horrific statistic: He was responsible for the deaths of more than 70 million people during his regime.

Mao: The Unknown Story
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang
The cover of "A Woman of No Importance The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II" on white background.
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A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell 

Biographies often give us the stories of people we know and love, but they can also reveal new stories about people that may have been lost to history. In her bestseller, Sonia Purnell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a prolific and heroic spy from World War II who took down the Axis Powers on one leg. 

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell 
The cover of "Black Boy" on white background.
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Black Boy by Richard Wright

A standard biography is usually given by a historian after years and years of research and writing, but sometimes it’s better to go straight to the source. In his memoir, Richard Wright details his life as he recalls it as a black American in the 20th century. Black Boy is a harsh, painful, beautiful, and revealing read about race in the United States -- and about a towering figure of literature. 

Black Boy by Richard Wright
Black Boy by Richard Wright
The cover of "Leonardo Da Vinci" on white background.
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Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

Isaacson represents the gold standard for contemporary biographers, and his tome on Leonardo da Vinci was a bestseller for a reason. Isaacson is able to show a detailed, intimate portrait of the most famous painter of all time from centuries away.

Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
best business books shoe dog  a memoir by the creator of nike phil knight book cover template
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Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Want to know how the biggest sports company of all time came to be? Hear it from the man himself. Phil Knight’s book takes you through how his little sneaker company in Oregon became the worldwide leader in sportswear. 

Shoe Dog
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
The cover of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley."
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley

One of the most famous biographies ever, The Autobiography of Malcolm X remains a classic and an important read. Malcolm X’s politics, though controversial at the time and today, is a valuable and provocative perspective that will make you reconsider how you think about America and the American Dream. 

The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley
The Cover of "Born a Crime" on white background.
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Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Long before becoming Jon Stewart’s successor on The Daily Show, Trevor Noah lived many, many lifetimes. Born to apartheid South Africa, Noah’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, and one that he manages to make funny by some sort of magic trick. 

Born a Crime
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The cover of "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."
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The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

Of course, today, you know Issa Rae as the writer, actor, and star of HBO’s Insecure, but before her hit show came her webseries and book of the same name, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Rae’s memoir wrestles with the idea of being an introvert in a world that considers Black people inherently cool.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
The cover of "Robin" on white background.
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Robin by Davie Itzkoff

One of the most beloved comedians and actors of all time, Robin Williams' passing in 2014 shook fans across generations. In his book, New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff covers the life, work, and emotions of one of the most complicated and misunderstood comedians ever. Oh captain, my captain...

Robin
Robin by Davie Itzkoff

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