Biography & Autobiography

Dream Horse: The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance - the Allotment Horse Who Became a Champion. In a small Welsh mining community, an ordinary woman dared to dream big. Janet Vokes, a working-class woman with a passion for animals, had an idea to...

Nell Dunn's memoir, The Muse, is a heartwarming and humorous account of her life-changing friendship with Josie. At 22, Nell met Josie, who taught her to live in the moment, find adventure, and appreciate the sweetness of life even in hardship. This slim...

Sam Warburton OBE's Open Side is a deeply personal and thought-provoking account of his remarkable journey to the top of Welsh rugby. With unflinching honesty, Warburton shares the sacrifices he made, both physically and mentally, in pursuit of...

A deeply personal and revelatory account of racism and alienation, A Black Boy at Eton is a searing memoir that explores the psychological effects of colonialism and prejudice. Written by Dillibe Onyeama at just 21 years old, this book tells the story of...

Richard Hell's autobiography is a mesmerizing chronicle of self-invention and redemption. Born in Kentucky, Hell arrived penniless in New York City at seventeen, where he would go on to cofound pivotal bands Television, The Heartbreakers, and Richard...

Nick Cave: Mercy on Me by Reinhard Kleist is a captivating biography that delves into the life and artistry of the enigmatic musician. Through a unique blend of storytelling and graphic illustration, Kleist brings to life Nick Cave's extraordinary...

Muriel Spark: A Life of Writing and Love. Muriel Spark's life is one of contrasts - from her early years in Scotland to her later years in Italy, she navigated the complexities of love, family, and identity with remarkable resilience. Her biography,...

Grit, Rigour and Humour: The INEOS Story offers an extraordinary insight into one of the world's most successful companies. To mark its 25th Anniversary in 1998, seven leading authors explore the main strands of INEOS' business, from its core chemical...

Discover the lives of the great men who shaped ancient history in this collection of parallel biographies.Written by Plutarch, these influential writings offer intimate glimpses into the lives of figures such as Alexander, Artaxerxes, Dion, and...

This Is Not a Dress Rehearsal: A Short Course in Writing Your Own Script for Success in Business and Life by Michel Masquelier is an unflinching account of the author's remarkable journey from intern to Chairman of the media division of IMG, the world's...

Peter Beard was a man who defied convention. With his chiseled features and charismatic presence, he blazed across the worlds of art, photography, and fame like a comet. His life was a series of daring escapades, from hunting big game in Africa to...

Margaret Bondfield was a trailblazer in British politics, holding numerous 'firsts' that shaped her remarkable career. As the first woman to serve as a government minister, Cabinet member and President of the Trade Union Congress, she paved the way for...

Ariana Grande's story is one of transformation and resilience. From her childhood in Florida to her rise as a chart-topping pop idol, this biography reveals the events that shaped her into an award-winning artist and empowering inspiration for a...

Confessions is a deeply personal and profound account of Saint Augustine's journey from hedonism to Christianity. Written in the first person, this autobiography offers a unique insight into the life of one of history's most influential thinkers.From his...

Welcome Home: A Memoir with Selected Photographs and LettersA poignant and evocative memoir that explores Lucia Berlin's itinerant life, from Alaska to southern Mexico. This collection of autobiographical sketches, filled in by her son Jeff Berlin with...

Viet Thanh Nguyen's A Man of Two Faces is a memoir that reimagines his own life as a film. With insight and humour, he explores the complexities of identity, refugeehood, colonization, and belonging in America. Nguyen recounts his childhood, forced to...

Sophie Pierce's life was forever changed in 2017 when her twenty-year-old son Felix died suddenly and unexpectedly. In the aftermath, she found solace in writing letters to him, composed during walks near his burial place by the River Dart. These...

Language is a body, a living creature. Its home is in both the inarticulate and the articulate. In this new work, John Berger explores language itself, its relationship to thought, art, song, storytelling, and political discourse today. The result is a...

A memoir from a Turkish writer's imprisonment offers crucial insight into political censorship in an era of authoritarianism. Ahmet Altan reflects on his sentence, life in prison, and the hope that can be found in writing.Altan's extraordinary account is...

Charles Darwin's Autobiographies offer a unique glimpse into the life and experiences of one of history's most influential thinkers. This collection begins with engaging memories of his childhood and youth, revealing the beginnings of his scientific...

G. K. Chesterton's biography of St. Thomas Aquinas offers a compelling exploration of the life and work of one of history's most influential thinkers. By synthesizing Christianity and Aristotle, Thomas's mind produced a remarkable clarity that continues...

A Higher Call: The Incredible True Story of Heroism and Chivalry During the Second World War by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander. On 24 December 1943, two young pilots from different sides of the conflict found themselves locked in a desperate struggle for...

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance is a deeply personal and thought-provoking account of identity and belonging. Born to a Black African father and a white American mother, Barack Obama recounts his journey as he searches for answers...

The Enduring Saga of the Smiths: A Light That Never Goes Out For over three decades, The Smiths were one of the most beloved and influential rock bands in the world. Despite their massive success, both critically and commercially, they struggled with the...

John Maynard Keynes: A central thinker of the twentieth century, his ideas continue to shape economic thought and discussion today. This Very Short Introduction explores Keynes's ethical and practical philosophy, monetary thought, and provides insight...

Shane Byrne's autobiography is a heart-pumping account of his life as a motorcycle racer. Born into adversity, Shane 'Shakey' Byrne recounts his journey from being abandoned as a newborn baby to becoming the most successful rider in British Superbike...

Napoleon A Concise Biography by David Avrom Bell provides a concise and accurate portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte's character and career. Situated firmly in historical context, this biography emphasizes the astonishing sense of human possibility that...

Jim McCann's memoir recounts his 6,424 days spent in prison, including five years without food as part of a protest for political status. This harrowing account culminated in the 1981 hunger strike and the deaths of ten prisoners.After his release,...

The Last Rhinos is an extraordinary story of life and conservation on a South African game reserve. Lawrence Anthony's reserve is home to many animals he has saved, including a remarkable herd of elephants and a badly behaved bushbaby called George.When...

This laugh-out-loud collection of essays from Mindy Kaling offers a candid and humorous look at her life experiences.From relationships to career, Kaling shares her thoughts on what it means to be a woman in the entertainment industry, all with her...

Saved: A War Reporter's Mission to Make It Home by Benjamin Hall In March 2022, veteran war reporter Benjamin Hall found himself in Kyiv with no idea that his life was about to take a drastic turn. Russian bombs would soon put him at the edge of death,...

Against All Odds by Paul Connolly Paul Connolly's life was marked by hardship and adversity from a very young age. Abandoned at just two weeks old, he spent his childhood in the St Leonard's Children's Home in East London, where children were routinely...

A Journey to Waco: Autobiography of a Branch Davidian This account of the 51-day siege and its aftermath offers a unique perspective on one of the most tragic events in American history. Clive Doyle, a survivor of the fire that killed 53 adults and 23...

Survival and Love: A Double Escape from the Nazis by Ted Bailey In 1939, two young people lived vastly different lives. Lizzy Schwarz was a teenager in Czechoslovakia, while Jerzy Dyszkiewicz was an Officer Cadet in Poland. As World War II broke out,...

The real Anne Lister, as told in her own remarkable diaries. Historian and series consultant Anne Choma brings to life the extraordinary story of one of 19th-century England's most fascinating figures. Through her explosive diaries, partly written in...

Dame Kelly Holmes' memoir offers a deeply personal and inspiring account of her extraordinary life. From her early days as an army recruit to her triumphs as an Olympic hero, Dame Kelly shares the story behind her remarkable journey. In this...

Steve Wozniak's story is one of brilliant discovery and adventure. In 1975, he combined computer circuitry with a regular typewriter keyboard and a video screen to create the first true personal computer, the Apple I. This invention has been rapidly...

Endurance: SAS Soldier. Polar Adventurer. Decorated LeaderIn 2018, Captain Louis Rudd MBE made history by completing a solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica, pulling a 130 kg sledge for over 900 miles.This gripping account reveals how Louis' skills...

Living life on his own terms, Ross Lomas took to the stage with G.B.H in 1981, leading the UK hardcore punk movement. With a wall of sound and mile-high spikes, they lit up pubs, squats, and highways across Europe and America.The story follows Ross's...

Byron: A Life and Legend by Fiona MacCarthy offers a fresh perspective on the life and poetry of Lord Byron. Drawing on John Murray's archive, MacCarthy sheds new light on Byron's early years, including his childhood in Scotland and his relationships...

A. N. Wilson's Confessions: A Life of Failed Promises is a candid and humorous memoir that explores his early life, experiences of sexual abuse, and struggles with love and identity. The author recounts his journey from being one of the "Best of Young...

Lemmy: The Definitive Biography is a candid and humorous account of the life of Motörhead's iconic frontman. Born to lose, Lemmy lived a life that was as brutal as it was beautiful.From his early days growing up in North Wales to his rise to fame with...

Talking to Myself is Chris Jagger's candid and captivating account of his life, spanning from post-war Dartford to the vibrant countercultural scene of 1960s London. With unflinching honesty, he recounts his experiences in acting, film, music, and...

A captivating double biography that brings to life two driven and complicated women. Miranda Seymour's meticulously researched work vividly portrays Annabella Milbanke and Ada Lovelace, their lives intertwined with the tumultuous world of 19th-century...

Eddie Jones shares his remarkable story in My Life and Rugby. A true legend of the game, Jones has had an incredible career spanning four World Cups, from coaching South Africa to winning the Six Nations Championship with England. Born in a tough...

Angela Ardis's remarkable story begins with a bet and a letter. In 1995, she sent Tupac Shakur a package containing a photo, phone number, and a letter, which led to a daily correspondence that has never been seen before.The letters and original poems...

The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston is a powerful and poignant memoir that explores the complexities of identity, culture, and womanhood. Growing up in America, surrounded by Chinese myth and memory, Kingston...

Operation Relentless: The Hunt for the Richest, Deadliest Criminal in History by Damien Lewis. Viktor Bout, known as the 'Merchant of Death', was a ruthless arms dealer and former KGB officer who evaded capture for decades. His network of airlines...

Maurice Ravel: A Radical Life and Art. This biography offers a fresh perspective on the life and work of Maurice Ravel, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Drawing on a wealth of written and oral evidence, including newly...

The Stone Roses War and Peace by Simon Spence is a comprehensive biography that delves into the story of one of Britain's most iconic bands. Based on 400 hours of interviews with over seventy associates, including six former band members, this book...

Frank Soo's remarkable football career has been largely forgotten by history. Yet, he was once a household name in Britain and beyond, with his life chronicled by national newspapers around the world. Soo's achievements on the pitch were impressive:...

Spike Milligan's War: A Selected Edition of His Memoirs is a unique and hilarious account of his military career during World War II. Spanning North Africa and Italy, this one-volume edition brings together Milligan's most scurrilous and bizarre war...

Spike Milligan's third volume of his outrageous War Memoirs picks up on the eve of victory in North Africa. In this hilarious account, he recounts the direst threats a soldier has ever faced - from boredom to perilous encounters with Mademoiselle Villion...

The Beatles' Shadow: Stuart Sutcliffe & His Lonely Hearts ClubA poignant and remarkable memoir that sheds light on the early days of one of the world's most influential pop groups.This is the story of Stuart Sutcliffe, a key figure in the formation of...

Timothy McVeigh's actions on April 19, 1995, were a pivotal moment in American history. In this book, acclaimed journalist Jeffrey Toobin examines the events leading up to the Oklahoma City bombing and its enduring impact. Toobin delves into the life of...

To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Quest for a Life with No RegretA deeply personal and thought-provoking journey of self-discovery, this book is a reflection on adventure, identity and living life to the fullest. On the eve of turning thirty, Jedidiah...

Kelsey Parker's world was turned upside down in 2020 when her husband Tom, singer with boyband The Wanted, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Despite the challenges she faced, Kelsey remained a source of strength and positivity for Tom during...

Joni Eareckson Tada's life was dramatically altered in an instant. On a hot July afternoon, she suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the neck down. This life-changing event marked the beginning of a courageous journey to find hope...

Lee Child's life story is as gripping as one of his own novels. A biography that explores the man behind the iconic Jack Reacher series. Heather Martin delves into the life of Lee Child, tracing his journey from a young boy with a ferocious appetite for...

Mary Wollstonecraft's Letters Written in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark is a captivating travelogue that showcases her remarkable courage and insight. Following a personal crisis, Wollstonecraft embarked on a journey to Scandinavia, where she wrote vivid...

The Invisible Woman: The Story Of Nelly Ternan And Charles Dickens by Claire Tomalin is a remarkable biography that returns to the neglected actress Nelly Ternan her rightful place in history. This multi-award-winning work of historical revisionism...

RecoveringA raw and unfiltered account of one man's journey towards healing and redemption. After a career-ending injury forced Richie Sadlier to retire from football at just 24, his life spiralled out of control. With no structure or sense of purpose,...

A revealing biography of Anne Frank explores her life and legacy in a fresh and timely light. Ruth Franklin sheds new understanding on the young woman whose diary is the most widely read work of literature to arise from the Holocaust. Through...

Boudica: Iron Age Warrior Queen is an account of what we know about the real woman who defied Rome. Based on classical literature and archaeological evidence, this book explores her life and extraordinary posthumous career as the earliest famous woman in...

Sid Meier's Memoir! A Life in Computer Games is the story of an obsessive young computer enthusiast who helped launch a multibillion-dollar industry. With warmth and ironic humor, Sid Meier recounts his journey from founding MicroProse in 1982 to...

Grimly fascinating stories of murder and mayhem in early modern Britain are revealed in this gripping narrative. From trials packed with noisome spectators to public executions promising gore, this history explores the true stories behind nine historic...

Josh Widdicombe's childhood memoir is a nostalgic look back at growing up in a rural setting, where TV was a constant companion.The author reflects on the impact of 90s TV on his life, from the shows he watched to the lessons he learned from them.This...

Women who commanded ships and plundered riches have long been overlooked in the history of piracy. This book sheds light on some remarkable women who defied convention and forged their own paths at sea. From the notorious pirate Madame Ching to...

The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill tells the story of an unlikely marriage and the challenges that come with it. A robotics engineer, he's not exactly built for farm life, but his wife has big dreams of rescuing horses and running a farm. Their...

Zandra Rhodes' life in fashion is a vibrant account filled with stories of creativity and individuality. A memoir told through a variety of mementos collected over the years, it offers a unique insight into the life of an era-defining designer. From her...

Dan Millman's memoir is a deeply personal account of his spiritual quest for meaning in the modern world. From childhood dreamer to world-class athlete, Dan recounts his journey and the events that led him to write the influential spiritual classic Way...

Double Crossed: A Code of Honour, a Complete Betrayal A gripping memoir about one man's journey through war, betrayal and redemption. Brian Wood recounts his experiences in Iraq, including the infamous Battle of Danny Boy, where he led a charge against...

The Blue Salon and Other Follies vividly recounts the childhood of Vernon Katz in 1930s' rural Germany, a time of great change and upheaval for Jewish families.Through light-hearted anecdotes and pictures, as well as dramatic events, the author...

Henry VIII and the Art of Kingship: A Unique Story of Power and Propaganda Packed with absorbing detail and brilliant insights, this book tells the story of Henry VIII's life through his collection of art. Unlike later royal collectors, Henry was more...

Dame Maggie Smith is one of Britain's most beloved actors, known for her unique blend of glamour, severity and wit. This biography shines a light on her remarkable life and career, spanning six decades. From her early days as a West End star to her...

Dmitri Shostakovich's Testimony is a deeply personal and complex work that offers a unique insight into the life of one of the 20th century's most fascinating composers. Written with the composer's consent, this memoir was smuggled out of Soviet Russia...

Gabriele D'Annunzio: Poet, Seducer and Preacher of War by Lucy Hughes-Hallett. This biography charts the life of Gabriele D'Annunzio, a poet and politician who rose to prominence in early 20th century Europe. In 1919, he declared himself Commandante of...

Machiavelli's thought continues to shape our understanding of politics and power. This biography offers a fresh perspective on his ideas and their enduring relevance.The author explores how Machiavelli's concepts are key to grasping the complexities of...

Baxter Dury's turbulent childhood was marked by abandonment and chaos. Abandoned by his father, Ian Dury, in the late 80s, Baxter was left to navigate a volatile world with the Sulphate Strangler, a six-foot-seven drug dealer who lived up to his name...

The Stars Will Still Be ThereA heart-wrenching and inspiring memoir about one mother's journey to help her daughter make the most of her remaining time. When Nicola Nuttall was told that her 18-year-old daughter Laura had only 12 months to live,...

Graham Norton's memoir is a candid and humorous account of his life, filled with witty observations and frank advice. As he looks back on his passions and relationships, he reveals a love of life that is both infectious and endearing. The result is a...

The World's Biggest Cash Machine: Manchester United, the Glazers, and the Struggle for Football's SoulManchester United is more than just a football team - it's an institution. But when the Glazer family took charge in 2005, they plunged the club into...

Discover the life and work of Sir Horace Jones, the architect behind one of London's most iconic landmarks: Tower Bridge.Jones was a prolific builder who designed and constructed many notable buildings in the City of London, including Billingsgate,...

The incredible story of Britain's female gangsters from the seventeenth century to the present day. Robin Hood and Dick Turpin are just two examples of folk heroes who have been glamorized, even when they were involved in violent crime. But what about...

Richard Russo's memoir, Elsewhere, is an intimate and powerful account of his lifelong bond with his mother. Born in Gloversville, a town once famous for producing dress gloves, the author recounts how his mother instilled in him her dream of a better...

Sophie Morgan's memoir is a deeply personal and powerful account of her life-changing injury and its aftermath. After a car crash at 18, Sophie was left paralysed from the chest down, forcing her to re-evaluate everything she thought she knew about...

Samuel Wilson Fussell's journey from Oxford graduate to bodybuilding champion is a story of obsession and self-discovery. After arriving in New York City, he found himself drawn into the world of hardcore bodybuilding, where he underwent intensive...

Gene Moran's incredible fall from 4 miles in the air without a parachute is one of the most astonishing stories of World War II. Captured by the Germans, he survived an 18-month ordeal as a prisoner of war, including a harrowing death march across...

Alycin Hayes' online marketplace Hitchhiker is a gripping true story of adventure and survival. In the 1970s, she embarked on a solo journey from Canada to Brazil, hitchhiking her way through the USA, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Her goal...

The Red Devils: An Authorized History of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two By Mark Urban This gripping account tells the story of Britain's elite airborne infantry, from their creation to their daring actions during World War Two. Through the...

David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era remains one of his most extraordinary creative periods. As a member of Bowie's legendary band at the time - The Spiders From Mars - Woody Woodmansey played drums on four seminal albums, bringing this key period to...

The Vagabond Princess: A Biography of Gulbadan A captivating biography of one of the world's greatest adventurers, Gulbadan, offers an enthralling portrait of a charismatic figure and unique insights into the multicultural society in which she lived...

Picking Through The Pieces: The Life Story of An Aircraft Accident InvestigatorThis is the personal story of my life as an air crash investigator, offering a unique insight into the world of transportation safety investigations. With nearly four decades...

When his aircraft caught fire, Jamie Hull's life was about to take an extreme turn. With flames up to his chin, he managed to bring the plane in and jump from the wing, narrowly escaping death.Despite being severely burned, Jamie fought back from the...

The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons from the Wild on Love, Death and Happiness by Mark Rowlands. This unique and thought-provoking book tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a philosopher and his wolf companion. As their relationship...

George Müller's remarkable life story reveals how he transformed from a troubled past to a life of extraordinary faith and provision. As a young man, he turned to Christ and began to experience God's power in his daily life. Through his personal account,...

The Mitford Sisters: A Tale of Contrasts Born into country-house privilege in early 20th-century England, the six Mitford sisters were at the forefront of high society's 'bright young things' scene in interwar London. Their lives were marked by...

Charmian Clift's Peel Me a Lotus is a vivid account of life in 1950s Greece. In this companion volume to Mermaid Singing, Clift recounts her experiences living on the island of Hydra with her husband George Johnston. The couple's plan was to live simply...

Vivian Jones' memoir of his childhood in a working-class family within a small mining village in the Welsh Valleys in the 1930s offers a vivid portrayal of life in that time and place. The author's memories of family life, social norms, and cultural...

Rosa Parks: A Life by Douglas G. Brinkley is a deeply researched and moving biography that explores the life of an American heroine. Born in Jim Crow Alabama, Rosa Parks grew into a thoughtful and devout woman who became involved with the NAACP,...