Playster is celebrating Biographer’s Day! With tons to choose from, you’ll be sure to find a biography on almost anything you’re looking for. If you need some suggestions however, we’ve highlighted our top six biographical picks that you should be reading today.
The renowned biography that inspired the Academy Award nominated flick is a one-of-a-kind insight into one of the most ingenious minds of our time. Issacson himself is celebrated for his biographical writing style, that has made him a bestselling author numerous times over. Studying Jobs in over forty interviews and interviewing hundreds of people who knew him, Isaacson has done a fantastic job in encapsulating the aura of Steve Jobs.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
It’s the biography that inspired the Broadway smash, Hamilton. Really, that’s all we need to say. Pinning Hamilton as the main figure in the founding of America, Chernow provides grappling insight into the notorious figure. Hamilton’s strides are nothing less than astonishing, considering his upbringing, which makes this biography even more thrilling.
The most intriguing woman in all of history is beautifully written in Schiff’s Pulitzer Prize winning biography. Cleopatra’s epic life saga remains an incredible story in the modern age. As one of the most powerful women and the wealthiest ruler of her time, Schiff displays Cleopatra’s political power and stunning ability to negotiate, as well as her famous love affair with Mark Anthony.
Laura Hillenbrand is no stranger to epic biographies being adapted into major motion pictures. Telling a story of the resilience of the human spirit, Hillenbrand writes about Louis Zamperini, a war hero and Olympic athlete who survived incredible circumstances in World War II. Hilldenbrand’s vivid narratives bring you right into the heart of the action, and will leave you speechless as you discover Zamperini’s courage to keep going.
Into the Wild by Jack Krakauer
The incredible tale of Christopher Johnson McCandless has become somewhat of a modern myth about surviving the wilderness. Nonetheless, Krakauer’s stunning biography of a man who abandons everything for a life in the wild is still talked about, 20 years after publication. With still many questions surrounding what actually led to McCandless’ death, read it for yourself and come up with your theories.
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
If you thought the making of the Oxford English Dictionary was anything but exciting, think again. Thousands contributed to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary, but none the more fascinating than Dr. William Chester Minor, who was extremely passionate about words. The twist? He was locked up in Britain’s harshest insane asylum after committing murder while contributing to the project. The Professor and the Madman is so good, it’s even recommended by Academy Award nominated director, Guillermo del Toro.
