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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 14%
    by Paul Kalanithi
    £9.49

    At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade's training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor, the next he was a patient struggling to live. In this book, he offers a life-affirming reflection on facing our mortality and on the relationship between doctor and patient.

  • Save 15%
    - A Surfing Life
    by William Finnegan
    £10.99

    Winner of the Pulitzer Price and William Hill Sports Book of the Year: Barbarian Days is a deeply rendered self-portrait of a lifelong surfer looking for transcendence 'that recalls early James Salter' (Geoff Dyer, Observer)Surfing only looks like a sport. To devotees, it is something else entirely: a beautiful addiction, a mental and physical study, a passionate way of life.New Yorker writer William Finnegan first started surfing as a young boy in California and Hawaii. Barbarian Days is his immersive memoir of a life spent travelling the world chasing waves through the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa and beyond. Finnegan describes the edgy yet enduring brotherhood forged among the swell of the surf; and recalling his own apprenticeship to the world's most famous and challenging waves, he considers the intense relationship formed between man, board and water.Barbarian Days is an old-school adventure story, a social history, an extraordinary exploration of one man's gradual mastering of an exacting and little-understood art. It is a memoir of dangerous obsession and enchantment. 'Reading this guy on the subject of waves and water is like reading Hemingway on bullfighting; William Burroughs on controlled substances; Updike on adultery. . . . a coming-of-age story, seen through the gloss resin coat of a surfboard' Sports Illustrated

  • Save 14%
    - Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches
    by Carlo Ancelotti
    £9.49

    Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers of all time, with five Champions League titles to his name. Yet his approach could not be further from the aggressive theatricals favoured by many of his rivals. His understated style has earned him the fierce loyalty of players like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo.In Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti reveals the full, riveting story of his managerial career - his methods, mentors, mistakes and triumphs - and takes us inside the dressing room to trace the characters, challenges and decisions that have shaped him. The result is both a scintillating memoir and a rare insight into the business of leadership.

  • Save 14%
    - A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
    by Yeonmi Park
    £9.49

    'I am most grateful for two things: that I was born in North Korea, and that I escaped from North Korea.'Yeonmi Park was not dreaming of freedom when she escaped from North Korea. She didn't even know what it meant to be free. All she knew was that she was running for her life, that if she and her family stayed behind they would die - from starvation, or disease, or even execution. This book is the story of Park's struggle to survive in the darkest, most repressive country on earth; her harrowing escape through China's underworld of smugglers and human traffickers; and then her escape from China across the Gobi desert to Mongolia, with only the stars to guide her way, and from there to South Korea and at last to freedom; and finally her emergence as a leading human rights activist - all before her 21st birthday.'Clear-eyed and devastating' Observer

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    - Stories from a South African Childhood
    by Trevor Noah
    £10.99

    One of the comedy world's fastest-rising stars ('SLICK, INTELLIGENT AND BLISSFULLY FUNNY' Time Out) tells his hilarious and moving coming-of-age story during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

  • Save 15%
    by Maggie Nelson
    £10.99

    A raw, cerebral work devoted to the inextricability of pleasure and pain, and to the question of what role, if any, aesthetic beauty can play in times of great heartache or grief.

  • Save 14%
    - A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
    by J. D. Vance
    £9.49

    SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE 'The political book of the year' Sunday Times 'You will not read a more important book about America this year' Economist

  • Save 27%
    - The Autobiography of the World's Greatest Formula 1 Designer
    by Adrian Newey
    £21.99

    'Adrian has a unique gift for understanding drivers and racing cars. He is ultra competitive but never forgets to have fun. An immensely likeable man.' Damon Hill

  • Save 14%
    - Inside the FBI Elite Serial Crime Unit (Now A Netflix Series)
    by John Douglas
    £9.49

    Mindhunter, a captivating book penned by the brilliant John Douglas, was published in 2017 by Cornerstone. This book falls under the genre of true crime, a category that Douglas excels in. Mindhunter takes you on a thrilling journey into the depths of the criminal mind. Based on Douglas' real-life experiences as a special agent for the FBI, the book explores the process of profiling serial killers and rapists. Douglas' expertise and gripping storytelling make this book a must-read for any true crime enthusiast. The publication of Mindhunter by Cornerstone in 2017 marked a significant contribution to the genre. The book has since been praised for its insightful and chilling exploration of criminal psychology.

  • Save 14%
    - Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
    by Adam Kay
    £9.49

    The often hilarious, at times horrifying and occasionally heartbreaking diaries of a former junior doctor, and the story of why he decided to hang up his stethoscope.

  • Save 14%
    - the bestselling guide to transforming your body by unlocking your lost evolutionary strength
    by Scott Carney
    £9.49

    What Doesn't Kill Us is a captivating book written by the talented author, Scott Carney. Published in 2019 by Scribe Publications, this book falls under the genre of non-fiction. The book takes the reader on an intriguing journey, exploring the boundaries of human endurance. The author challenges conventional wisdom and pushes the limits of the human body, showing how much we can endure, both physically and mentally. This book is not just a tale of survival, but also a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of the human body. It's a must-read for anyone interested in pushing their limits and understanding what the human body is truly capable of. Published by Scribe Publications, this book is a testament to their commitment to bringing quality literature to readers. Written in English, What Doesn't Kill Us is a remarkable exploration of human endurance.

  • Save 14%
    - A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
    by Patrick Radden Keefe
    £9.49

    WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2019 SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NONFICTION 2019 TIME's #1 Best Nonfiction Book of 2019 A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'A must read' Gillian Flynn

  • Save 15%
    by Michelle Obama
    £10.99 - 18.99

  • Save 20%
    by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
    £11.99 - 18.99

  • Save 27%
    by Adam Horovitz & Michael Diamond
    £25.49

    Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, Beastie Boys struck an unlikely path to global hip hop superstardom.

  • Save 14%
    - The Sunday Times Number-One Bestseller
    by Andrew Morton
    £9.49

    A reissue of this classic title with a new introduction by Andrew Morton reflecting on the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the original publication, and on the long term legacy of Diana.

  • Save 27%
    by Nigel Slater
    £21.99

    A Cook's Book is the story of Nigel Slater's life in the kitchen . . .

  • Save 20%
    by Russ
    £11.99

    A lover of books like The Alchemist and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Russ delivers a short, potent, inspirational, raw, and honest book that gives readers a way to find self-belief and unlock their potential.

  • Save 14%
    by Deborah Levy
    £9.49

  • Save 14%
    by Michelle McNamara
    £9.49

  • Save 24%
    by Prince
    £18.99

    Prince Rogers Nelson is one of the most popular and influential musical acts of all time. Known for his style and range, Prince¿s prolific music career included an ever-evolving sound that blended pop, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and soul. Prince sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He won seven GRAMMY¿ Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award¿ for the film ¿Purple Rain.¿ He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, the first year of his eligibility. Prince tragically passed away at his Paisley Park home on April 21, 2016. His legacy lives on through the timeless messages of love in his music and the countless ways his work has touched lives.Dan Piepenbring is a writer and former editor at The Paris Review.

  • Save 14%
    - the final book from Stephen Hawking
    by Stephen Hawking
    £9.49

    The final book from Professor Stephen Hawking, the bestselling author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME and arguably the most famous scientist of our age, BRIEF ANSWERS TO THE BIG QUESTIONS is a profound, accessible and timely reflection on the biggest questions in science.

  • Save 14%
    - The Copenhagen Trilogy
    by Tove Ditlevsen
    £9.49

  • Save 24%
    by Jerry Seinfeld
    £18.99

    Jerry Seinfeld picks out his best comedy writing over the last five decades

  • Save 10%
    - The debut book from Florence Given
    by Florence Given
    £8.99 - 13.49

    'THE BEAUTY MYTH' FOR THE INSTAGRAM GENERATIONWomen Don't Owe You Pretty is the ultimate book for anyone who wants to challenge the out-dated narratives supplied to us by the patriarchy. Through Florence's story you will learn how to protect your energy, discover that you are the love of your own life, and realise that today is a wonderful day to dump them. Florence Given is here to remind you that you owe men nothing, least of all pretty.'Women Don't Owe You Pretty' contains explicit content (AND A LOAD OF UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS). THE FEMINIST BOOK EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT. 'An incredible mouthpiece for modern intersectional feminism.' - Glamour'A fearless book.' - Cosmopolitan 'A hugely influential young woman.' - Woman's Hour 'Rallying, radical and pitched perfectly for her generation.' - Evening Standard

  • - Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds - Clean Edition
    by David Goggins
    £20.99

  • Save 15%
    by Laurie Woolever & Anthony Bourdain
    £10.99 - 14.99

  • Save 23%
    by Gucci Mane
    £15.49

    Gucci Mane's secrets to success, health, wealth and self-improvement.

  • Save 14%
    by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
    £9.49

  • Save 15%
    - Classic Editions
    by Viktor E Frankl
    £10.99

    Over 16 million copies sold worldwide 'Every human being should read this book' Simon Sinek One of the outstanding classics to emerge from the Holocaust, Man's Search for Meaning is Viktor Frankl's story of his struggle for survival in Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps.

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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