Biography & Autobiography

Henry David Thoreau: A Life by Laura Dassow Walls explores the complex and multifaceted life of one of America's most iconic thinkers. From his early days in Concord, where the American experiment...

Frances Faviell's memoir of post-war Berlin is a powerful and poignant portrait of a city in turmoil. Against the backdrop of economic hardship, social upheaval, and moral compromise, she recounts...

Enson Inoue's life is defined by his philosophy, Yamatodamashii, which translates to Samurai Spirit. This concept has become synonymous with him due to the way he carries himself both in and out of...

Martha Wainwright's memoir is a heartfelt account of growing up in a bohemian musical family. Born into a world filled with folk legends, Martha struggled to find her voice until she exploded onto...

Russell Howard: The Good News, Bad News - The Biography is an intimate look at the life and career of one of the UK's favourite comedians. Abi Smith explores how Russell, from his awkward school days...

Liana Millu's remarkable story is one of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. This book tells the astonishing tales of the women who lived alongside her during her time at...

Lark Rise to Candleford is Flora Thompson's evocative portrayal of rural life in Oxfordshire during the 1880s. Through her fictional counterpart Laura, Thompson describes the daily lives of...

When Fraser Met Billy tells the heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship between a young boy with autism and his feline companion. At just two years old, Fraser was struggling to cope with...

Bing Crosby Swinging on a Star: The War Years, 1940-1946 by Gary Giddins Gary Giddins presents the second volume of his masterful biography of Bing Crosby, tracing the singer's career during World...

Smokin' Joe: The Life of Joe FrazierA gripping biography that delves into the life of Joe Frazier, whose rivalry with Muhammad Ali captivated boxing fans and left a lasting impact on American sports...

Nick Frost's Truths, Half Truths and Little White Lies is an unflinchingly honest account of his life. Growing up in Essex, Frost recounts a childhood marked by love and optimism, but also by the...

A landmark work of history explores how a group of greatly gifted but deeply flawed individuals shaped the course of our nation. Joseph J. Ellis examines the lives and actions of six key figures:...

Henry VIII: A Complex and Frustrating King This biography presents a fresh perspective on one of England's most infamous monarchs. John Matusiak sheds new light on Henry VIII, revealing a ruler...

Life has been far from easy for Cordelia Feldman. At 19, her life was derailed by an extreme form of bipolar disorder that severely limited her career aspirations and social activities. Then, at 34,...

The story of women in music is one of revolution and resilience. From the 1970s to the present day, female artists have been at the forefront of musical innovation, pushing boundaries and challenging...

Snakes and Ladders: Navigating the Ups and Downs of PoliticsThis personal account from Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom MP offers an insider's view of one of the most turbulent periods in modern British...

At sixteen, John O'Donoghue was given ECT and admitted to Claybury asylum for manic depression. This experience marked the beginning of a decade-long journey through various institutions and living...

The Life and Letters of Emily Dickinson offers a unique perspective on the life of one of America's most enigmatic poets. Written by her niece Martha Dickinson Bianchi, this biography features...

Norman Scott's life is a story that defies expectations. Born into poverty and abuse, he found solace in horses and later became embroiled in a high-profile affair with Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of...

James Clarence Mangan, Ireland's National Poet, is often remembered as a figure from Irish literary history. However, his life was marked by poverty, illness and addiction, leaving behind scarce...

Princess More Tears to Cry by Jean Sasson is a deeply personal and thought-provoking account of life in Saudi Arabia today. Through intimate stories shared with Princess 'Sultana', her eldest...

A shocking true story of survival and defiance, Nowhere to Hide reveals the harrowing experience of one woman who was subjected to coercive control, physical and sexual abuse by her husband. Hannah...

Chris Jericho shares twenty valuable lessons for achieving your goals and living the life you want in this entertaining and inspiring book.With fantastic stories and classic off-the-wall references,...

George William Russell: 'A.E' - A Life of Vision and Balance This biography offers a comprehensive exploration of George William Russell, better known by his pen-name 'A E', a mystic, visionary poet,...

A humorous and heartwarming memoir about teaching, treasure hunts, and finding one's way in life. A.J. Mackinnon shares his experiences as a teacher at schools in Australia and the UK, recalling the...

You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: A Powerful Guide to Embracing Your Uniqueness. Samantha Renke shares her personal story of living with brittle bone condition, and the lessons she's learned...

George Clinton's life story is one for the ages. Born in New Jersey, Clinton began his musical career in a barbershop quartet, where he developed an obsession with doo-wop and R&B. This early passion...

Nelson: A Personal HistoryThis absorbing biography explores the life and personality of one of history's most famous naval heroes. Christopher Hibbert delves into Nelson's personal relationships,...

Steve Jobs' story has long been told in fragments, but one pivotal moment remains shrouded in mystery. How did this enigmatic figure transform himself from an outsider to a visionary leader? This...

Discover the Essence of Success in 12 Inspiring Biographies. This concise collection brings together the lives of twelve influential individuals, from entrepreneurs and entertainers to world leaders...

A Sultry Month: Scenes of London Literary Life in 1846 by Alethea Hayter is a captivating group biography that brings together the lives of Victorian London's literati during a sweltering heatwave...

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl is an intimate and revealing narrative of Carrie Brownstein's escape from a turbulent family life into a world where music was the means toward self-invention,...

Des Linden's memoir Choosing to Run is an inspiring account of her journey to becoming a champion runner. On April 16, 2018, she faced challenging conditions at the Boston Marathon, but instead of...

Shane MacGowan Threescore is a photographic biography that celebrates 40 years of music, mayhem and magic. Andrew Catlin has been documenting Shane's life and career since the Pogues' early London...

A Different Kind Of Weather by William Waldegrave is an unflinching account of life in politics. Born into a quintessentially English family, Waldegrave's upbringing instilled in him the independence...

Vladimir Nabokov: The Russian Years is a comprehensive biography that offers a unique insight into the life and art of one of the 20th century's greatest writers. Brian Boyd's meticulously researched...

A moving story of love, tradition and landscape is at the heart of Mike Parker's memoir On the Red Hill Where Four Lives Fell Into Place. The book tells the story of Rhiw Goch, 'the Red Hill', and...

Gerry Creighton's life was forever shaped by his early fascination with elephants. Growing up at Dublin Zoo, he was surrounded by the animals that would become his passion and profession.From a young...

Alfred Russel Wallace: A Life of Discovery and Controversy. In 1858, Alfred Russel Wallace wrote to Charles Darwin with an exciting theory of natural selection. This bold idea would change the course...

Robert Capa's life was a complex tapestry of war, art, and seduction. Born as Andre Freidman in Budapest, he fled persecution to Berlin, where he discovered his passion for photography with a Leica...

Under the Wire: The World War II Adventures of a Legendary Escape Artist and "Cooler King" In 1939, Bill Ash joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, sacrificing his citizenship to take on the Nazis. He...

Discover the essence of success in 12 concise biographies. This unique collection brings together the lives of Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg, Stephen Hawking, Chris...

The Bleeding Tree: A Pathway Through Grief Guided by Forests, Folk Tales and the Ritual YearHollie Starling's personal journey through grief is a powerful exploration of the healing power of nature...

Karamo Brown's memoir is a candid and inspiring exploration of his life's journey. He shares his story for the first time, discussing how the challenges he faced have allowed him to transform the...

Dadland by Keggie Carew is a spellbinding journey into the life of her enigmatic father, Tom Carew. As his memory begins to fail, Keggie sets out to unravel his story and get to know him better...

Robert Dallek's John F. Kennedy: An Unfinished Life remains the most widely read one-volume biography of the 35th President, offering a concise and authoritative life of one of America's best-loved...

El Sicario: Confessions of a Cartel Hit Man by Sicario, Molly Molloy, and Charles Bowden is a gripping account of life as a hitman. With a $250,000 price tag on his head, the author has seen it all -...

Clive James's fifth and final memoir, The Blaze of Obscurity, is a hilarious and thoughtful account of his life in the public eye. From his rise to full-time television in the 1980s, James delivers...

Robbie Fowler's autobiography takes readers on a journey through his remarkable life in football. Born and raised in Liverpool, Fowler became an iconic figure at just 18 years old, scoring 183 goals...

Alastair Sim: A Life Behind the Screen This biography offers a rare insight into the life of one of Britain's most respected and best-loved actors. Alastair Sim was an enigmatic character both on and...

Kendra Wilkinson's candid memoir offers a humorous and optimistic look at her extraordinary journey. From her athletic tomboy days to becoming one of the most popular Playboy cover models, Kendra...

Alexander von Humboldt: A Life of Contrasts This concise biography offers a fresh perspective on the life and work of Alexander von Humboldt, a polymath who embodied the contradictions of his time...

Dennis Skinner's remarkable life story has been shrouded in secrecy for far too long. Now, at eighty years old, he finally shares his unique perspective on post-war Britain, drawing on decades of...

Martha Wainwright's story is one of finding her own voice and peace as a working artist and mother. Born into music royalty, she recounts her tumultuous public-facing journey from awkward teenager to...

This powerful memoir confronts the cultural silence surrounding miscarriage and shines a light on how to transform trauma into human connection. After experiencing a devastating loss at home,...

A group of nine friends embarked on an epic journey in 1969, setting out from England in a double-decker bus called 'Hairy Pillock'. Their three-year adventure took them across perilous roads through...

Isaac Singer: A Life of Invention and Enterprise This biography tells the remarkable story of Isaac Merritt Singer, the inventor of the first practical sewing machine. Born into a troubled home,...

In the Shadow of Ben Nevis tells the story of Ian Sykes' remarkable journey from his childhood in Leeds after World War II to his time with the RAF during the Cold War. As a keen climber, he joined...

This autobiography by Mick Greene, former test pilot and decorated Vietnam veteran, is an action-packed account of his life and flying career. Born into a family struggling to get along, Greene's...

John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life tells the story of the former Beatle's remarkable comeback after five years of self-imposed retirement. In this pivotal year, Lennon rediscovered his...

Acid for the Children A Memoir by Flea is a deeply personal and revealing tour of his formative years, spanning from Australia to Los Angeles. This memoir chronicles the experiences that forged him...

The Gospel of Wealth and the Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie is a collection of writings by Andrew Carnegie that explore his life and philanthropic efforts. Born in Scotland, Carnegie immigrated to...

This powerful and personal memoir introduces us to ten extraordinary individuals who have inspired the author's journey as a queer person in America. Through their own story, Shelby Criswell shares...

Barbara Comyns: A Life of Resilience and Creative Expression This biography offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Barbara Comyns, a pioneering writer who deftly captured the complexities of...

Billy Bragg's urgent and passionate response to the events of 7 July 2005 is a call to action for a more inclusive society. In "The Progressive Patriot", he explores what it means to be English,...

Bobby Charlton's World Cup StoryIt's been 50 years since England won the World Cup in style, and Bobby Charlton looks back on that momentous day with clarity and emotion. In this book, he takes us...

The Photographer at Sixteen by George Szirtes is a poignant and thought-provoking memoir that explores the life of his mother through the lens of time. Spinning backwards from her final days, the...

Christopher Hitchens was a fierce and eloquent left-wing polemicist who championed free inquiry, humanism, and universal liberal values. However, his legacy has been misrepresented as that of a...

Rapthology Lessons in Life and Lyrics by Wretch 32 is a groundbreaking work that delves into the creative process of one of Britain's most influential musicians. Part memoir, part guide to lyric...

Windward Family: An Atlas of Love, Loss and Belonging by Alexis Keir is a deeply personal exploration of identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling. Twenty years after leaving his childhood...

I've Lost My MumA deeply personal and moving account of one daughter's journey with dementia, written by Cassandra Farren. This heartfelt story shares her struggle for strength as she navigates the...

The remarkable life story of Hudson Taylor explores his unwavering commitment to Christ and his unshakeable faith in God's faithfulness. At just 21, Taylor embarked on a journey that would take him...

Ruthless Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me is a personal and heartfelt account of Ron Miscavige's experiences with his son David, who has become the leader of the Church of Scientology. The...

Rudolf Nureyev: A Life is a gripping account of an extraordinary life. Born on a train in Stalin's Russia, Nureyev rose from Tatar peasant poverty to become the Kirov's thrilling maverick star and...

The 1969 New York Mets' season has become one of sports lore's most remarkable stories. Beyond the "miracle" that captivated baseball fans, this narrative reveals an unlikely team of players and...

A gripping and intimate memoir from a Navy SEAL who served with SEAL Team THREE in Iraq. Kevin Lacz recounts his deployment, from his first mission to his eventual return home, offering a firsthand...

Gwendoline Crockford's story is one of pioneering spirit and determination. In 1951, at just 21 years old, she became one of the first women to join the Berkshire Constabulary as a Police Constable...

Sir David Lean was a two-time Academy Award winner and one of the most prominent directors of the twentieth century. His films, including The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Doctor...

The Band's journey from humble beginnings to international stardom is told in vivid and rollicking fashion in this account. Spanning the entire course of American rock, it captures the raw magic and...

Margaret Thatcher: A Life and Legacy by David Cannadine is a comprehensive biography that explores the life and impact of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female Prime Minister. This authoritative...

A memoir of self-sufficiency and resilience, this book tells the story of an independent craftsman's life, from periods of scarcity to times of prosperity. Now in his second marriage, the author...

Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor share a deeply personal and inspiring travel memoir in "Travelling with Pomegranates".This touching and uplifting story follows their journey as they...

The Woman I Am is a deeply personal and thought-provoking memoir that follows Samantha Pearsall's journey from birth to her early twenties. Born into a male body, she recounts the pain of discovering...

In Search of Mary Seacole is a superb and revealing biography that explores her remarkable achievements and unique status as an icon of the 19th century. Helen Rappaport's meticulous research...

Waylon Jennings' remarkable life story is told in his son Terry's new book, Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad. Born to Waylon when he was just nineteen, Terry grew up surrounded by the music and excess...

The Waco Siege: A Legacy of Rage In this gripping account, Jeff Guinn delves into one of America's most infamous tragedies, the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas...

The Confessions of a Phantom Pilot is a candid and humorous account of flying the iconic FGR2 fighter jet during the Cold War era. Tug Wilson recounts his experiences as a young RAF pilot, from his...

Gill Williams' remarkable career in the Thames Valley Police took her to unexpected places. As one of the first female police divers and eventually the first female sergeant in charge of such a team...

The Dambusters of Today: A New Generation's War. In 1943, 617 Squadron RAF executed one of the most daring operations in military history. Nearly 70 years later, a new generation of elite flyers was...

Tommie Gorman's life has been marked by struggle and love in equal measure. Growing up in Sligo in the 1960s, he heard his father say 'Money is handy for doing messages', a phrase that would shape...

The Dun Cow Rib: A Very Natural ChildhoodJohn Lister-Kaye's memoir is a joyful and poignant account of his childhood adventures in the natural world. As a boy, he spent hours exploring the landscape,...

Diana, William and Harry by James Patterson is a heart-wrenching true story about Princess Diana's life as a mother and global icon. From her teenage years as Lady Diana Spencer to her tragic death,...

The Royal Art of Poison Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicines and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman is a fascinating exploration of the darker side of royal power. For centuries, monarchs have feared...

Thich Nhat Hanh's personal journal entries offer a unique glimpse into his thoughts and experiences as he navigated the challenges of establishing Buddhism in Vietnam. Written between 1964 and 1966,...

Hanif Kureishi Writing the Self : a Biography by Ruvani Ranasinha is a comprehensive and insightful biography that sheds new light on the life and work of one of Britain's most influential writers...

Brown Baby: A Soul-Searing Exploration of Hope and Family. In this deeply personal memoir, Nikesh Shukla shares his journey as a father navigating a world marked by prejudice, sexism, and climate...

The birth of the modern FBI was marked by a series of high-stakes confrontations with notorious gangsters. In 1932, the federal agents in the field were relegated to the sidelines, but during the War...

The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke by Jeffrey C. Stewart is a comprehensive biography that explores the life and legacy of Alain Locke, a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Based on...

Let me take you down the thin cobblestoned streets of Bouillon, a Belgian border town with a rich and complex past. This is a place where neighbours might murder each other over misfortune, and where...

Tolstoy: A Russian Life by Rosamund Bartlett is a biography that draws extensively from recent sources to shed new light on one of literature's most complex and fascinating figures. Bartlett's...