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Biographies

A good biography invites you into someone else’s life. It takes you on fascinating journeys through the ups and downs of the life of legendary film stars, talented musicians, inspiring athletes, visionary politicians and many more. A good biography lets you get under the skin of your biggest idols, and you feel collected when reading their story - maybe even in the form of their own words. You will find both biographies and autobiographies in Tales’ selection, in addition to diaries and memoirs. So are you ready to be inspired by some of the world’'s most extraordinary individuals?
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  • Save 15%
    - The Life Story of Keith Green
    by Melody Green
    £10.99

    The 25th Anniversary Edition of Keith Green's inspiring biography, revised and updated by his wife, Melody. This expanded biography contains many added stories and insights, never before published photos, extra selections from Keith's private journals, and glimpses into Melody's season of grieving and raising their two surviving children alone.

  • Save 14%
    by Giorgio Vasari
    £9.49

  • Save 10%
    by Andy Warhol
    £8.99

    Published in 1975, this autobiography of private Andy Warhol talks about love, sex, food, beauty, fame, work, money, success; about New York and America; and about himself - his childhood in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, good times and bad times in the Big Apple, the explosion of his career in the Sixties, and life among celebrities.

  • Save 21%
    - How the World Used and Abused a Small African Nation
    by Michela Wrong
    £13.49

    One small East African country embodies the battered history of the continent: patronised by colonialists, riven by civil war, confused by Cold War manoeuvring, proud, colorful, with Africa's best espresso and worst rail service. Michela Wrong brilliantly reveals the contradictions and comedy, past and present, of Eritrea.

  • Save 21%
    by Lady Antonia Fraser
    £13.49

    The Oscar-winning film about the legendary French queen, directed by Sofia Coppola, is based on this magnificent book by bestselling historian Antonia Fraser.

  • Save 21%
    by Albert Speer
    £13.49

    The classic eye-witness account of Nazi Germany by Hitler's Armaments Minister and right-hand man.

  • Save 24%
    - A Journal of Murder
    by James O Long
    £17.49

  • Save 21%
    - The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician
    by Zhisui Li
    £13.49

    For 22 years, Dr Zhisui Li was Mao Tse-tung's personal physician, confidant and companion. In this biography Li provides insights into social and political events in China, and details of Mao's private life - from his sexual appetite to the political effects of his aims, fears and idiosyncrasies.

  • Save 17%
    - How My Heart Sings
    by Peter Pettinger
    £14.99

    A biography of the influential jazz pianist, Bill Evans. Peter Pettinger, himself a concert pianist, describes Evans's life, his personal tragedies and commercial successes, his music making, his technique and compositional methods, his approach to ensemble playing, and his legacy.

  • Save 14%
    by Haruki Murakami
    £9.49

    Murakami tells the true story behind an act of terrorism that turned an average Monday morning into a national disaster. In spite of the perpetrators' intentions, the Tokyo gas attack left only twelve people dead, but thousands were injured and many suffered serious after-effects.

  • Save 14%
    by Joseph L. Galloway
    £9.49

    Moore and Galloway have captured the terror and exhilaration, the comradeship and self-sacrifice, the brutality and compassion that are the dark heart of war' THE TIMESTHE MUST READ CLASSIC OF THE VIETNAM WARIn November 1965, 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt.Col.

  • Save 17%
    - The Life And Times Of Eminem
    by Anthony Bozza
    £9.99

    Most crucially, Anthony Bozza's unprecedented access to Eminem himself makes him uniquely qualified to answer the big question - why does Eminem matter?The answer is found in Eminem's unlikely life story, in his extraordinary ascent to super-stardom and in an analysis of his music and lyrics.

  • Save 15%
    by Paul Brickhill
    £10.99

    The bestselling story of Britain's most courageous and most famous flyer, the Second World War hero Sir Douglas Bader.

  • Save 17%
    - A Story of Homecoming
    by Henri J. M. Nouwen
    £9.99

    A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, catapulted Henri Nouwen into a long spiritual adventure. In his highly-acclaimed book of the same title, he shares the deeply personal meditation that led him to discover the place within which God has chosen to dwell. This Lent course, which has been adapted from the book, helps us to reflect on the meaning of the parable for our own lives. Divided into five sessions, the course moves through the parable exploring our reaction to the story: the younger son's leaving and return, the father's restoration of sonship, the elder son's resentment and the father's compassion. All of us who have experienced loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger will respond to the persistent themes of homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation. Each session contained on the CD includes extracts from the book by Henri Nouwen, and background information about Henri Nouwen's life, as well as suggestions for reflection. Notes for Group Leaders and written questions for group discussion are also included in the enclosed booklet.

  • Save 14%
    - The Autobiography
    by Duff McKagan
    £9.49

    Explosive autobiography of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver bass guitarist Duff McKagan.

  • Save 14%
    by Erik Larson
    £9.49

    He used the attraction of the great fair - and his own devilish charms - to lure scores of young women to their deaths. These two disparate but driven men are brought to life in this mesmerizing, murderous tale of the legendary Fair that transformed America and set it on course for the twentieth century .

  • Save 24%
    by Michael McDonald
    £18.99

  • Save 20%
    by Eric Blehm
    £11.99 - 18.99

  • Save 24%
    - The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic
    by Cynthia Bourgeault
    £17.49

    The first portrait of Thomas Keating's remarkable evolution, in the last decades of his life, into a fully realized modern-day Christian mystic. In the first four decades of his life as a Trappist monk, Thomas Keating created a comprehensive, unified psychospiritual pathway leading from healing to holiness and from contemporary psychological wellness to classic mystical sanctity and beatitude. In short, he fashioned a powerful new on-ramp to the Christian contemplative tradition. Yet, as beloved author and Keating disciple Cynthia Bourgeault shows, that was not the end of Keating's story. In this unique blend of biography, personal experience, and close reading of his late works, Bourgeault illuminates Keating's remarkable spiritual development from the late 1980s until his death in 2018. She explores: Keating's increasing commitment to the nondual practice of "objectless awareness" His contributions to interspiritual dialogue The evolution of his early teaching on the movement from "false self" to "true self," to that from "true self" to "no self" His final "dark night of the spirit" and passage through death New evidence that he never left Christianity but carried it with him to new places The profound final stages of Keating's spiritual journey may inspire you toward the ineffable experience of living as a modern mystic--fundamentally at home and at peace in the universe.

  • by Daniel Chidiac
    £18.49

    "This book honestly helped to understand and release those experiences that made me feel unworthy and doubt myself for years. I feel more empowered than I ever have. These words will stay with me forever."- Samantha F (Amazon customer)Daniel Chidiac, International best-selling author of Who Says You Can't? You Do and The Modern Break-Up brings his new interactive series, Thoughts and Feelings - A collection of his never released work. Thoughts and Feelings is a compassionate and empowering guide designed to help you liberate yourself from the grip of negativity. With a dedicated lined-page next to each piece, Daniel invites the reader to write down their own thoughts and feelings. At the end, the reader will have their own Thoughts and Feelings book written.This book focuses on dismantling and releasing self-doubt, the feeling of unworthiness and finally discovering the self-love you have been yearning for. Through the therapeutic act of reading and writing, it guides you to confront and let go of negative thoughts, paving the way for a transformative journey towards positivity. The way we observe ourselves through our experiences (especially our experiences with others) impacts our life deeply. Thoughts and Feelings helps you come to terms with those experiences through observing and understanding them in a way that will change YOU, and your life for the better.Note from the author..."I often have these deep thoughts and feelings that I express in the only way I know how...through words. I don't usually share them as most are a passing moment, a sudden reflection or a personal perspective of my experiences. But now, I really feel it's time to release them for others to relate to, connect with and to gain inspiration from. I invite you to get a pencil, co-write and express yourself in the same way within this book. You may write something in relation to what I have written or something completely different...that side of the book is yours. And in the end, you will have your own Thoughts and Feelings Volume One book written. If you do not feel ready to write anything, that is also fine. I hope you enjoy the read."Love,Daniel Chidiac

  • Save 10%
    by Stephanie Land
    £8.99 - 17.99

  • Save 25%
    by Atiba Hutchinson
    £17.99

    NATIONAL BESTSELLER“A captivating read from one of our country’s greatest athletes.” ―Christine Sinclair, former captain of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team and National Bestselling Author of Playing the Long GameOut of the Toronto suburb of Brampton comes an irresistible story of trials, perseverance, the limelight of international soccer, and—above all—heart.Despite debuting on Canada’s senior national soccer team 20 years ago, scarce is known of Atiba Hutchinson. We’ve watched him win Canadian Men’s Player of the Year six times; celebrated his club team championships; and mourned his injuries. We’ve lamented the state of Canadian soccer and cursed the lost potential—and years. Yet, we know little about Atiba’s personal life, or how he rose from suburban Brampton to becoming Canada’s most-capped national men’s team player, often described as the country’s greatest athlete you haven’t heard about.For the first time, Atiba is ready to share the extraordinary story of his ascent to the heights of professional soccer, nationally and internationally, and what he believes makes a true champion. The Beautiful Dream is an intimate account of Atiba’s awe-inspiring career, from his humble beginnings to playing across Europe; the crushing disappointment of failing national team competitions in the 2010s that nearly led to his resignation from the national program; all the way to his triumphant arrival in Qatar to face off against 31 other nations at the world’s most pre-eminent soccer competition. He has strived to better not only his own game but the landscape of Canadian soccer for over two decades, culminating in Canada’s first trip to the FIFA World Cup since 1986. Yet, as the reflective midfielder shows, this isn’t just his story: The Beautiful Dream is the story of countless Canadians, who strive and scrape for a seemingly unreachable dream—until their fingertips finally graze the surface. It’s a lesson about the unyielding belief required when taking the long road to success. Atiba's journey mirrors the progression of Canadian soccer, and the story of Canada itself: goals that may begin as outsized but as we work towards them, our world changes with us. Atiba’s journey of hope, belief, and resilience connects the country’s modest soccer past to a bold, exciting future in the game. It’s a story that transcends the pitch, exploring what it means to be a kid who dares to dream of achieving the impossible, and the man who perseveres to get there.

  • Save 14%
    by Zahra Hankir
    £9.49

    A dazzling exploration of the intersections of beauty and power around the globe, told through the lens of an iconic cosmeticFrom the distant past to the present day, humans have been drawn to lining their eyes. The aesthetic trademark of figures ranging from Nefertiti to Amy Winehouse, eyeliner is one of our most enduring cosmetic tools; ancient royals and Gen Z beauty influencers alike would attest to its uniquely transformative power. It is undeniably fun - yet it is also far from frivolous.Seen through Zahra Hankir's (kohl-lined) eyes, this ubiquitous but seldom-examined product becomes a portal to history, proof both of the stunning variety among cultures across time and space and of our shared humanity. Through intimate reporting and conversations - with nomads in Chad, geishas in Japan, dancers in India, drag queens in New York, and more - Eyeliner embraces the rich history and significance of its namesake, especially among communities of colour. What emerges is a delightful, surprising, and unexpectedly moving journey through streets, stages, and bedrooms around the world, and a thought-provoking reclamation of a key piece of our collective history.

  • Save 14%
    by Paul Mullin
    £9.49 - 18.99

  • Save 20%
    by Simon Cambers
    £11.99

  • Save 23%
    by The Beach Boys
    £38.49

    "Here, for the first time in print, is the history of The Beach Boys, by The Beach Boys. Their only official book, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys is the ultimate chronicle of one of the world's greatest bands. Through their unique sound, complex harmonies, sensational live shows and use of innovative recording techniques, The Beach Boys became woven into the cultural fabric of America and influenced generations of musicians globally. This book documents how it happened. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston together provide a combined career narrative especially for this book, and through meticulous compilation from sources worldwide, Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson's words are equally represented. Documenting how they went from a Hawthorne garage band to a global phenomenon, they tell the astounding story of their ascent: perfecting their harmonies, initial fame as a surf group, and then their ultimate progression as pioneering recording artists to become one of the most musically complex ensembles in history. Their story is accompanied by iconic images, never-before-seen negatives and rare ephemera. Given unprecedented access to their personal archives, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys offers intimate insight into the lives of the group. Also opening their archives are Brother Records and Capitol Records, all of which assist in illustrating their remarkable journey. Joining the band are a host of contributors who have been involved with or inspired by the band's music, including Peter Blake, Lindsey Buckingham, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, the Flaming Lips, Bobby Gillespie, David Lee Roth, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Jim Kerr, Roger McGuinn, Graham Nash, Jimmy Page, Carly Simon, Pete Townshend, Rufus Wainwright, Thom Yorke, and many more. A group collaboration, The Beach Boys by the Beach Boys is, in effect, The Beach Boys' autobiography. Like their music, it is poignant, frank, often humorous but always sincere. Finally, here is The Beach Boys' own story." --

  • Save 23%
    by Maggie Nelson
    £15.49

    A CAREER-SPANNING COLLECTION OF INSPIRING, REVELROUS ESSAYS ABOUT ART AND ARTISTS'Like Love may be one of the most movingly specific, the most lovingly unruly celebrations of the ethics of friendship we have' Guardian'Incisive, smart and witty, it will leave you looking and love and life anew' iLike Love is a momentous, raucous collection of essays drawn from twenty years of Maggie Nelson's brilliant work. These profiles, reviews, remembrances, tributes and critical essays, as well as several conversations with friends and idols, bring to life Nelson's passion for dialogue and dissent. The range of subjects is wide - from Prince to Carolee Schneemann to Kara Walker to Bjork - but certain themes recur: intergenerational exchange; love and friendship; feminist and queer issues, especially as they shift over time; subversion, transgression and perversity; and the fruits and follies of a life spent devoted to making.The collection is a portrait of a time, an anarchic party rich with wild guests, a window into Nelson's own development as a writer, and a testament to the profound sustenance offered by art and artists.'Maggie Nelson is one of the most unique voices in non-fiction: enquiring, political, lyrically dazzling, empathetic' Sinéad Gleeson

  • Save 18%
    by Sarina Wiegman
    £8.99 - 20.99

  • Save 15%
    by Uli Hesse
    £10.99 - 15.49

Biographies
Biographies books are per definition a collection of someone’s life. That someone is mostly a celebrity and often comes from the world of entertainment for example a famous movie or television star. A good biography lets you under the skin of the subject. Biographies are mostly written by biography authors, who are specialized in capturing the life of another person through research and multiple interviews with both the individual and his or her relatives. The celebrity or icon can also choose to write his or her own story, which is what characterizes an autobiography. An autobiography can - if the writer is good - give you a more intimate picture of the subject. You can both find biographies and autobiographies in Tales’ wide selection of Biographies. 

Biographies best sellers
Tales’ selection contains most of the biographies best sellers. The biographies books are often about celebrities known from film, television or the music industry, but they can also be about inspiring trailblazers from the societal or political world like the biography best seller Becoming about Michelle Obama. The American first lady has inspired many Americans and people around the world. Her and her husband - the first black American first lady and President - made many extraordinary changes in the American society and advocated for more diversity and respect in the American people. Michelle Obama also fights for more equality, especially when it comes to girls and women. Read the inspiring story of how Michelle Obama became one of our times most popular, kind and obliging residents of the White House in her biography Becoming, and let it guide you to finding our own voice. 
Another best seller is Three Women by Lisa Taddeo. Taddeo has written an innovative biography that is a collection of three American women's lives. The biography is an investigation of the female lust in all its complexity. Many women have expressed that they can reflect their own life and feelings of desire in the book. 

Biographies about musicians
Take a look in our selection and find some of the best biographies about musicians. The selection has something for every taste, because you find accounts about musicians from every end of the spectre. Whether you like rock, jazz, classical music, pop or musicals you will find biographies about musicians representing every genre. 
Take for example the autobiography Me Elton John, who has gained extraordinary reviews and success all around the world making the Elton John biography an international best seller. The book is the only official biography made about the iconic musician and singer. Read the incredible and turbulent story about one of our biggest stars to date, and you might learn the secrets behind writing and performing hit after hit.
You can also dive into the fascinating story of the musical legend Julie Andrews. In the biography Home you can read about her journey from London to Broadway stardom. The triple threat is the woman behind legendary roles such as Mary Poppins and Maria from The Sound of Music, and you can follow her journey through Hollywood in the sequel Home Work. Julie Andrews is the writer of her own story and she writes in an intimate and heart-warming narrative. 

Biographies about artists
Are you an art lover, art student or an artist yourself? Then we would recommend you to find inspiration in our biographies about artists. Our collection of biographies contains among others the book Frida Kahlo - A Biography written by Claudia Schaefer. Schaefer gives an introduction to the beloved Latino artist. Frida Kahlo is one of modern times greatest female artists and her surrealist artworks are extraordinary. The biography introduces the reader to her unique form of art - Kahlo did not see herself as a surrealist - but it also gives a look into the artist behind the world famous works of art. If you want to dive into the lives of amazing artists, the story of Kahlo is just one of many wonderful biographies about artists. 

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