Books in general are a vastly undervalued asset, as far as cost-to-utility are concerned. With a good book you can learn new skills, be entertained for hours, or even shift your perspective of the world. The best biographies seem to be the greatest value of all, as they condense the learnings of an entire human life into readable form.
Biographies and autobiographies are also often written about some of the greatest figures from throughout history. You can spend your spare time surrounded by some of the greatest thinkers, explorers, artists or revolutionaries that have helped shape the world into the way it is today. By reading about the lives of those great figures who came before us, we gain an insight into their worldview, the events that shaped them and their methods for taking action.
Buying a good book is one of the best ways you can spend ten dollars or so, and if you buy a biography, you know you’ll find yourself in good company. Below are some of the best biographies of all time, covering famous celebrities, presidents, artists, academics, authors, more. Browse below and you’ll be sure to find some of the best biographies to read.
The Best Biographies of All Time
How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer – Sarah Bakewell
Blakewell condenses a life of beneath a singular question: How do you live?
The author traces Montaigne’s life while answering the question in regards to how to get along with others, deal with violence, adjusting to losing a loved one, and many more questions we face in our everyday lives. We find answers to some of these fundamental questions while learning all about the fascinating life of a true renaissance man.
The Power Broker – Robert Caro
How does one individual amass so much power?
The answer, told in extreme detail over the course of 1,165 pages, boils down to extreme competence for getting things done combined with a vice-like control over public opinion.
Over time, these two turned into a self-reinforcing cycle that made Moses’s power almost dictatorial. Read my full synopsis of The Power Broker here.
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World – Jack Weatherford
While many popular depictions show the Mongols as bloodthirsty pillagers, Weatherford shows us how they also introduced many progressive advancements to their conquered nations. Learn how Khan abolished torture, gave universal religious freedom and destroyed existing feudal systems. Find out how he rose from tribal culture to the formation of the Mongol empire.
The Man Who Knew Infinity – Robert Kanigel
Kanigel recounts the incredible story of Srinivasa Ramanujan. An unschooled Indian clerk from the then British colony, Ramanujan has an incredible gift for mathematics that catches the attention of Cambridge University. Apparently inspired by mystical revelation, the story of this genius thinker is astounding as it shows his struggles away from his family, his eventual acceptance into the hard-nosed academic circles of the university, and his untimely death thusands of miles from his homeland.
Socrates: A Man For Our Times – Paul Johnson
Socrates is depicted in newfound depth as Johnson shows his powerful rationality as well as the more subtle aspects of his personality. A great read for anyone interested in Western history or philosophy, this book also gives an accurate portrayal of Athens and all it’s characters in the fifth century BCE.
Edison: A Biography – Matthew Josephson
This is one of the classic biographies on one of America’s most celebrated public figures. Inventor, scientist and entrepreneur, Edison has come to embody the ideals of the self-made visionary creator. This shows the true rag-to-riches story of the deaf, poor, uneducated young Edison and his rise to fame and passionate invention.
Catherine the Great – Robert K. Massie
Massie tells the incredible story of Russia’s Catherine the Great. Destined for a minor marriage and a forgettable, this retelling traces her ascent to power and marriage to future Emperor Peter II. From there, we learn about her fascinating character – ruthless at times – but always an inspiring and profoundly memorable character from history.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom – T.E. Lawrence
Instantly hailed as a classic upon it’s first publishing in 1922, this is the story of the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918 as told by T.E Lawrence himself from the front lines. Churchill called it “one of the greatest books written in the English language”, and upon reading it you’ll find the adventure and true adventure that has amazed readers for almost a century.
Goodbye to All That – Robert Graves
Classic author known best for his works ‘The Greek Myths’, ‘The White Goddess’ and ‘I, Claudius’, here recounts his time spent as a patriotic captain on the front lines in the First World War. This bleak retrospective reveals the horror, drama and absurdity that he witnessed during his time serving, and shows his disillusionment throughout. A thought provoking and masterfully written autobiography that shows the senseless calamity of war and all it claims.
Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War – Robert Coram
John Boyd was the greatest military strategist of the 20th century. For those who have studied his theories, Boyd is tossed around in the same sentences as Sun Tzu and Carl Von Clausewitz. This biography chronicles his fascinating life as he earned his reputation as the greatest fighter pilot of all time, and how he went on to develop a theory of military strategy that resulted in victories in the gulf.
I also wrote an in-depth article about Boyd and his decision making system, the OODA Loop, here.
William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism – Robert D. Richardson Jr.
This is the definitive biography of philosopher William James, author of the classic ‘The Varieties of Religious Experience”. This book shows the full complexity of his character, drawing from letters, journals and family records to retell his fascinating life and the life events that led to the development of his ideas.
My Inventions and Other Writings – Nikola Tesla
This biography of Nikola Tesla reveals the elusive character behind such inventions as the radio, wireless energy, primitive robotics, and much more. If you’re interested in one of the most eccentric pioneering figures of the electronic age, along with his long time feud with intellectual rival Thomas Edison, this is a great biography to read.
Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein – Abraham Pais
Among the many biographies of Einstein, Subtle is the Lord is among one of the best due to author Abraham Pais’ complete access to the voluminous Einstein archives, along with assistance from Einstein’s own former private secretary, Helen Dukas. This is an inspiring biogrpahy for anyone interested in learning more about one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century.
Dostoevsky: A Writer in His Time – Joseph Frank
This is a massive five-volume retelling of the life and times of Russian literary giant Fyodor Dostoevsky, and is considered the best biography available on the subject. Joseph Frank himself is considered one of the greatest biographers alive, and this mammoth exploration sheds light on Dostoevsky’s works, ideology and historical context. He paints a picture of 19th century Russia, so this is an incredible work not only for that small group of people interested in the famous author himself.
A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway gives a fascinating recount of his time spent as a struggling author living in Paris in the twenties. He shares his time spent amongst other literary greats such as Joyce, Fitzgerald and others. This classic autobiography captures the romantic atmosphere of early-twentieth century Paris, and the inspired artists who called it home at the time.
Pharaoh Triumphant: The Life and Times of Ramesses II – Kenneth Kitchen
A deeply detailed account of one of Egypt’s best known Pharaohs, written by one of the most knowledgable academics on the subject. This biography transports you back into ancient history, where you’ll learn about the fascinating culture of the ancient Egyptians, as well as the story of the young King’s reign including royal dramas, political tension and thought provoking ancient cultural practices.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man – Martin Kemp
Kemp’s account of da Vinci’s life and works is considered the go-to biography of the famous renaissance figure. Readers are guided through a fully integrated account of his scientific, artistic and technological works, as well as the life events that helped form the man that made them. This amazing biography shed light on one of the most creative figures that ever lived, and shows the factors in medieval Florence that helped form such a character.
The Travels of Marco Polo – Marco Polo
This classic account of Polo’s diplomatic missions into the far East shows his astonishment at the cultural and historical differences he found from his Western perspective. He gives vivid retellings of the religions, customs and ways of living that he saw on his travels, and recounts stories and legends he learns along the way. A very good autobiography that is considered a true classic.
Personal Narrative of a Journey to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent – Alexander von Humboldt
Humboldt is known as one of the greatest explorers of the nineteenth century, and this autobiographical work retells his ventures into the tropics of the American continents between 1799-1804. He was among the first Europeans to speculate on Aztex art, and to observe reverse magnetic polarity. His writing deeply impacted the course of Victorian culture, and influenced thinkers down the line such as Charles Darwin.
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Endgame: Bobby Fischer’s Remarkable Rise and Fall – Frank Brady
This compelling biography of chess-prodigy Bobby Fischer shows the life of the genius who was incomprehensible to the public. This recount of his tumultuous life shows his fierce dedication to his sport, and his struggles with life in the public eye with his rise and fall as an American celebrity.
Plutarch’s Lives Volumes One & Two – Plutarch
Plutarch’s histories can’t be left out of any comprehensive list of the best biographies. Sketches of the lives of Alexander the Great, Cicero, Caesar and more are all chronicled in Plutarch’s Lives, and gives readers and academics an indispensable view into the lives of many of those names still famous to us today. Not only are Plutarch’s volumes comprehensive , they are interesting to read and full of fascinating anecdotes that transport the reader to the ancient world in a way few other texts of those periods manage.
Best Celebrity Biographies
Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury – Leslie-Ann Jones
Leslie-Ann Jones’ biography of the fabled ‘Queen’ frontman draws from hundreds of interviews with key figures in his life to create a revealing glimpse into Freddie Mercury’s life. Jones shows us what life in the fast line is really like, and takes us behind the facade of one of the most well-known performers and songwriters of the eighties. 
Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes – Donald L. Barlett
Barlett’s classic look at Howard Hughes shows the heights of his incredible outward success, and the depths of his inner struggles. Readers learn about Hughes unique starting circumstances in life, and follows a tough but eccentric figure on to his incredible success as an aviator, film producer, defence contractor and more. This is an epic biography of an epic man, and Barlett shows us all his sides.
Scar Tissue – Anthony Kiedis
Scar Tissue tells the often emotionally moving story of the Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s rise to fame through the 80’s onwards. Following the lead singer, Anthony Kiedis, this fasinating biography tells of the band’s incredible performances, their love stories, heartbreaks, their fame and excess. For anyone interested in rock music, Scar Tissue is the best biography out there showing what the life of a rockstar is really like.
Just Kids – Patti Smith
American artist Patti Smith recounts her moving relationship with photographer in 1960’s New York City. This is a touching biography about youth, friendship and love that is superbly written by an artist who’s work extends from music to visual art to poetry. This brilliant autobiography marks her first foray into prose, and is now considered a classic representation of that time in New York’s recent history.
Total Recall – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnie tells in his own words the “greatest immigrant success story of our time”. Follow this incredibly motivating celebrity from his Mr. Olympia days, through his string of highly successful Hollywood features, on to the eventual Governorship of California. One of the best autiobiographies of one of the most fascinating and inspiring figures to rise through Hollywood.
Best Presidential Biographies
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln – Doris Kearns Goodwin
Famous historian D.K Goodwin shows us the extent of Lincoln’s politcal savvy from his rise from obscurity in the prairie-lands to his victory over three gifted rivals to secure presidency. This multiple biogrpahy shows how Lincoln mastered those around him and struggled with his cabinet, generals and other obstacles. A fascinating biography of one of the most interesting figures of American history.
Washington: A Life – Ron Chernow
Celebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. With a breadth and depth matched by no other one volume biography of George Washington, this crisply paced narrative carries the reader through his adventurous early years, his heroic exploits with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, his presiding over the Constitutional Convention, and his magnificent performance as America’s first president. In this groundbreaking work, based on massive research, Chernow shatters forever the stereotype of George Washington as a stolid, unemotional figure and brings to vivid life a dashing, passionate man of fiery opinions and many moods.
John Adams: A Life – John Ferling
Renowned early-American historian John Ferling gives readers the canonical book on John Adams. Thoroughly researched and well written, Ferling brings to life the tumultuous times of the revolution era and shows us Adam’s importance as a politcal and intellectual figure.
Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
This monumental biography retells Nelson Mandela’s lifetime struggle against racial oppression in South Africa, and his rise to presidency of his country. Suffering a quarter century of imprisonment, countless political dramas and constant discrimination, this recount shows how he rose above all challenges to become an iconic voice in the fight for global human rights and racial equality.
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power – John Meacham
Pulitzer-prize winner Meacham brings to life Thomas Jefferson in one of the best biographies of an early American president ever written. Meacham’s portrait of Jefferson engages readers throughout, displaying the President’s reputation as both philosopher and an effective politician of a remarkable period.
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Last Updated on January 24, 2020 by Taylor