Top 10 American Biographies of the 20th Century

Top 10 American Biographies of the 20th Century

Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy
Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

The list is subjective. This is my top 10, but I truly believe that all of us could benefit from reading these stories. I’ve either read these books personally, or have them on my “to read” list in the future.

10. Personal History – Talks of Katherine Graham who ran the Washington Post for more than 20 years.

9. Go Ask Alice – This diary format book recounts the tale of a young girl growing up in the late 60’s who falls into the pit of drug use. Some believe this book to be a work of fiction, but others believe it to be autobiographical.

8. Let it Blurt: The Life and Times of Lester Bangs, America’s Greatest Rock Critic – Jim Derogatis introduces us to Lester Bangs, a Rock Critic for Rolling Stones who helped to define Heavy Metal and Punk Rock music from the 1970’s

7. Angela’s Ashes – Frank McCourt takes us back to when he grew up poor in Ireland.

6. Profiles of Power & Success – Like its title states, Dr. Gene Landrum profiles 14 of the most innovative world leaders and creative geniuses that ever lived.

5. Disney’s World: A Biography – Leonard Mosely looks at the accomplishments of the very first “imagineer” in a non-biased portrait of a man who created the happiest place on earth.

4. Autobiography of Malcolm X – Malcolm X speaks of the struggles and anger that comes from being an African-American man in the 1960’s.

3. Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution – Historian James McPherson compares the American Revolution to the Civil War and shows how Lincoln was able to use his words and stories to capture the North and preserve the fight for the Union.

2. Gandhi An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth – Mohandas K. Gandhi takes us through his life as he develops what is to be called active non-violent resistance, which he used in his country of India.

1. Profiles in Courage – John F. Kennedy, while a U.S. Senator in the 1950’s, profiles eight of his colleagues because of their integrity in the face of opposition.

What is the best biography you’ve ever read?

Bookworm is the reading hippy who uses books to escape reality and take far out trips. In the afterglow of her trips, Bookworm is always struck with enlightenment from what she has just read. She sees how modern literature is influencing cultures, society and even future histories. If you dig it, stay tuned as Bookworm shares her thoughts and ponderings related to the books she’s reading.

37 thoughts on “Top 10 American Biographies of the 20th Century

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