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Autobiographies

Find inspiration for a wide range of the best autobiographies and books about people themselves and their memories. Here are autobiographies about some of the world's most exciting people and how their life story has been. Autobiographies are stories written or told by the person themselves. It is not necessarily famous people who write books about themselves, but also quite ordinary people who have something important at heart to tell. But also if the person has experienced or achieved something unique in life that may be interesting to others. Find the best autobiographies below for your next reading.
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  • Save 15%
    by Paul Morley
    £10.99

    THE TIMES & UNCUT #1 MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARA SUNDAY TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, MOJO & LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR'Reading From Manchester With Love I feel I understand the times we've lived through differently, better, and from new angles. The writing is compelling and musical, befitting its extraordinary subject. I never met Tony Wilson, but now I feel as though I knew him well - and I'm sorry that I didn't.'BRIAN ENO'From Manchester with Love is the perfect monument.'SUNDAY TIMES'Paul Morley's writing has been delighting and exasperating me since his NME work in the late 1970s . . . From Manchester with Love is by far his best book.'STUART MACONIE, NEW STATESMAN (Books of the Year)Critically-acclaimed and bestselling author Paul Morley's long-awaited biography of Factory Records co-founder and Manchester icon Tony Wilson.'When forced to pick between truth and legend, print the legend.' Tony WilsonTo write about Tony Wilson, AKA Anthony H. Wilson, is to write about a number of public and private characters and personalities, a clique of unreliable narrators, constantly changing shape and form. At the helm of Factory Records and the Hacienda, Wilson unleashed landmark acts such as Joy Division and New Order into the world as he pursued myriad other creative endeavours, appointing himself a custodian of Manchester's legacy of innovation and change.To Paul Morley he was this and much more: bullshitting hustler, flashy showman, aesthetic adventurer, mean factory boss, self-deprecating chancer, intellectual celebrity, loyal friend, shrewd mentor, insatiable publicity seeker. It was Morley to whom Wilson left a daunting final request: to write this book.From Manchester With Love, then, is the biography of a man who became eponymous with his city, of the music he championed and the myths he made, of love and hate, of life and death. In the cultural theatre of Manchester, Tony Wilson broke in and took centre-stage.'Epic . . . More than a mind map, the book's peculiarity and expanse and, yes, love, means it becomes an immersive experience. I found it very moving indeed.'OBSERVER'Morley's biography is as illuminating on Wilson's strange ability to hold others in his orbit, even after his death, as it is on the story of his life . . . fascinating.'THE SPECTATOR'As much a (brilliant) biography of Manchester as it is of Tony Wilson . . . It's a fantastically written, sprawling, superbly research book that's both heartfelt tribute and essential reference work.'CLASSIC ROCK'A gigantic, haphazard and unexpectedly emotional monolith dedicated to the "e;irritating dilettante"e;, "e;pretentious charlatan"e; and "e;huckster extraordinaire"e; who put his city on the musical map . . . Here he burns on fantastically bright.'UNCUT (9/10)'This is no ordinary biography . . . [From Manchester with Love] is a work unto itself, solidifying Tony Wilson as a postmodern hero . . . it's brilliant . . . I have to imagine Tony Wilson (if ghosts of dead impresarios read from their graves) is pleased with From Manchester with Love.'LOUDER THAN WAR'Written with Technicolour perspective, humour, pathos and empathy in fluid, immensely readable prose, it is a book that does justice to Wilson's memory and enduring influence.'RECORD COLLECTOR (5/5)'Captivating . . . Across 600 pages, each of the 51 chapters weaves dream states with journalistic investigation, a tale of how one human being, with the help of like-minded spirits, psychically co-opted an entire city.'CONFIDENTIALS

  • Save 10%
    by Tracey Thorn
    £8.99 - 13.49

    An exploration of female friendship and women in music, from the iconic singer-songwriter and bestselling author of Another Planet and Bedsit Disco Queen

  • Save 24%
    - Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There
    by Jenna Fischer
    £18.99

  • Save 14%
    by Sharon (author) Stone
    £9.49 - 14.99

    Sharon Stone tells her own story: a journey of healing, love, and purpose.

  • - American hero, mercenary, spy ... The incredible true story of the smallest man to serve in the U.S. Military-Green Beret Captain Richard J. Flaherty
    by David A Yuzuk
    £12.49

  • Save 14%
    by Elizabeth Day
    £9.49 - 13.49

  • Save 15%
    - How Apple Became a $2 Trillion Dollar Company and Lost its Soul
    by Tripp Mickle
    £10.99

  • Save 10%
    by Martha Wainwright
    £8.99 - 15.49

    A memoir from internationally renowned singer Martha Wainwright.

  • by David Mcclure
    £10.49

  • Save 10%
    by Louis Theroux
    £8.99 - 15.49

    A funny, revealing and insightful take on the madness of living and working during a pandemic from the always entertaining Louis Theroux.

  • Save 14%
    by Ann Patchett
    £9.49

    Sunday Times bestselling author Ann Patchett's first work of nonfiction, chronicling her decades-long friendship with the critically acclaimed author, Lucy Grealy.When Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy met in college they began a friendship that would define their lives. Lucy Grealy lost part of her jaw to childhood cancer, and a large part of her life to chemotherapy and endless reconstructive surgeries. Stoic but vulnerable, damaged by bullying but fascinated by fame, Lucy had an incandescent personality that illuminated those around her.In this tender, brutal book, Ann Patchett describes Lucy's life and her own platonic love for her. Truth & Beauty is the story of the part of their lives that they shared - the camaraderie and comedy, the tribulations and tragedy of true friendship. A portrait of unwavering commitment through success, failure, despair and drugs, this is what it means to be part of two lives that are intertwined.

  • - Pearl Jam and the Present Tense
    by Ronen (Independent Scholar & USA) Givony
    £17.49 - 32.99

  • Save 14%
    by John Barnes
    £9.49

    An eloquent and thought-provoking book on racism and prejudice by the Liverpool and England football legend John Barnes.

  • Save 10%
    - How '90s TV (Almost) Prepared Me For Life
    by Josh Widdicombe
    £8.99 - 15.49

    A childhood memoir about growing up in the middle of nowhere and watching too much TV, from beloved comedian, Josh Widdicombe.

  • Save 21%
    by Maureen Callahan
    £13.49

  • Save 24%
    - Letters to Mama
    by Frida Kahlo
    £18.99

    The letters of Frida Kahlo to her mother, published in English for the first time.

  • Save 15%
    - An Optimist Considers Mortality
    by Michael J Fox
    £10.99

    'The book is great: moving but also properly funny.' Hadley Freeman, The Guardian'A memoir with an unusual sense of purpose. . . pithy, highly readable' The TimesThe entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future. His two previous bestselling memoirs, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, dealt with how he came to terms with the illness, all the while exhibiting his iconic optimism. In No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, ageing, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox's trademark sense of humour, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses.Running through the narrative is the drama of the medical madness Fox recently experienced, that included his daily negotiations with the Parkinson's disease he's had since 1991, and a spinal cord issue that necessitated immediate surgery. His challenge to learn how to walk again, only to suffer a devastating fall, nearly caused him to ditch his trademark optimism and "e;get out of the lemonade business altogether."e;Does he make it all of the way back? Read the book.

  • Save 20%
    - Vulnerability, Shame Resilience and the Black Experience: An anthology
     
    £11.99

    Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown bring together a dynamic group of Black writers, organisers, artists, academics and cultural figures to discuss the topics the two have dedicated their lives to understanding and teaching: vulnerability and shame resilience.Contributions by Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, Laverne Cox, Jason Reynolds, Austin Channing Brown, and more.It started as a text between two friends.Tarana Burke, founder of the 'me too.' Movement, texted researcher and writer Brené Brown to see if she was free to jump on a call. Brené assumed that Tarana wanted to talk about wallpaper. They had been trading home decorating inspiration boards in their last text conversation so Brené started scrolling to find her latest Pinterest pictures when the phone rang.But it was immediately clear to Brené that the conversation wasn't going to be about wallpaper. Tarana's hello was serious and she hesitated for a bit before saying, "Brené, you know your work affected me so deeply, but as a Black woman, I've sometimes had to feel like I have to contort myself to fit into some of your words. The core of it rings so true for me, but the application has been harder."Brené replied, "I'm so glad we're talking about this. It makes sense to me. Especially in terms of vulnerability. How do you take the armour off in a country where you're not physically or emotionally safe?"Long pause."That's why I'm calling," said Tarana. "What do you think about working together on a book about the Black experience with vulnerability and shame resilience?"There was no hesitation.Burke and Brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on Black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognise and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black love and Black life.

  • by George Orwell
    £4.49 - 7.99

    HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.

  • Save 12%
    - Breaking records and getting FKT
    by Damian Hall
    £11.49

    In It for the Long Run is ultrarunner Damian Hall's story of his Pennine Way record attempt in July 2020. With dry wit and humour, Hall tells of his nine-year preparation for his attempt, and of the run itself. He also gives us an autobiographical insight into the deranged world of midlife crisis ultramarathon running and record attempts.

  • Save 21%
    - The Life
    by Roland Lazenby
    £14.99

    The definitive biography of basketball superstar Magic Johnson

  • Save 13%
    - The Story of Bad Religion
    by Bad Religion & Jim Ruland
    £13.99

    From their beginnings as teenagers experimenting in a San Fernando Valley garage dubbed "The Hell Hole" to headlining major music festivals around the world, Do What You Wanttells the whole story of Bad Religion's 40-year career in irreverent style.

  • by Audre Lorde
    £7.99

  • Save 21%
    - On Foot to Constantinople: from the Hook of Holland to the Middle Danube
    by Patrick Leigh Fermor
    £13.49

    The great travel classic, first published in 1977 and recounting an epic journey of nearly 50 years before.

  • Save 10%
    - A Songwriter's Story of Hope, Change and Courage
    by Tori Amos
    £8.99

    A timely and passionate call to action for engaging with our current political moment, from the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and New York Times bestselling author Tori Amos.

  • Save 18%
    - The Story of the Iconic Shoe Designer
    by Darla-Jane Gilroy
    £11.49

    A pocket-sized, illustrated book charting the rise of the world's most celebrated shoe designer.

  • Save 15%
    by Brian Cox
    £10.99 - 15.49

  • Save 21%
    - The Man Behind the Guitar
    by Julian Vignoles
    £13.49

    Biography of the legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher.

  • Save 10%
    by Reeves Wiedeman
    £8.99 - 15.49

Autobiographies and their knowledge

Autobiographies are books that most often deal with the author himself. It is about people who have been through wild and eventful moments. Usually we have to dive far down, or at least know each other well, before we tell very personal stories. After all, it is not something we would tell a stranger in everyday life, so personal, are these autobiographies. It is excellent to be able to learn from each other so that the experiences and traumatic times we go through are not in vain. Of course, this is also something we can learn from, but autobiographies give you the knowledge you need to avoid the mistakes they end up making. In addition, it also contains stories about people they have been close to and how those relationships have changed. It is not always about learning in autobiographies, it can also be about understanding the human being behind. We are all incredibly complex people and that is evident in autobiographies. Autobiographies are books that take us very close to human nature, it gives us details that we would not otherwise get in a normal conversation.

The experiences and moments we all have, are where autobiographies shine about the mentality, such as the highest athletes have. These are books written both for the author's own sake but also the reader's. It is about quid pro quo, a two-sided coin that benefits one's own recovery (the author) and the reader. When we write down our thoughts, we quickly get rid of everything that keeps us down. That weight can be incredibly heavy and can therefore be very healthy to get rid of once in a while. A positive is that you know someone can read it, and get a whole lot of information from it, and perhaps learn what they should and should not do in certain situations. Take, for example, ‘Mamba Mentality’ a book about the late Kobe Bryant, it is said that his mentality was invincible and completely bulletproof. Something that we all strive to achieve, and that is exactly what autobiographies are all about. The innermost thoughts in a man. Autobiographies can also give you insight into your favorite celebrity life, understand them and see what makes them the person they are. We are all interesting and unique in our own way, through experiences and the knowledge or skills we possess.

Many of the books also consist of well-known quotes from many different people through political stories and the celebrity world.

Elon Musk has written an autobiography back in 2016, which deals with the giant tech companies he has managed to create. Including PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla and SolarCity. It is a deep look into how he has managed to do this and what it required from his own life. It is said that we have to sacrifice a lot to reach a high position in life. Great autobiography, which is a great place to start if you are into this topic.

As mentioned, autobiographies are a great tool for learning from others, and many of the stories are written by people who have had a tough upbringing. It is to their own advantage to understand how they have done it and what it requires of them. Try and dive into some of our autobiographies today!

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