More often than not, autobiographies of famous personalities and bestselling autobiographies turn out to be self-help books rather than books explaining the life story of a person. In this article, we are going to read what is an autobiography and the famous autobiography of an Indian personality. Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of the best autobiography books for students and know where to buy autobiographies. After all, “Autobiography is a wound where the blood of history does not dry.” So, let’s begin!
What Is An Autobiography?
The word ‘Autobiography’ can be split into three – “Auto”, meaning written by self, bio meaning life, and “graphy” standing for an account. So, in short, an autobiography is an account of one’s life written by self. Now you know what is an autobiography.
When it comes to the famous autobiography of Indian personality, Mahatma Gandhi’s The Story of My Experiments with Truth, is without a doubt the most famous one. This is one of the best autobiographies to read online. Keep reading to find out autobiographies of famous personalities, bestselling autobiographies, and famous autobiography of Indian personality.
Autobiographies Of Famous Personalities
13. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela is the perfect book to read for someone who wants to gain valuable insights into the battle for black liberation in South Africa, where white dominance was choking the black, considered inferior by the white. You must read it if you are looking for inspiration and positivity. The famous speech at Pretoria is recorded in this book, and it is one of the best autobiography books for students.
Buy Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela here – https://amzn.to/3ySO3nw
12. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Anne Frank was a teen Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis with her family during World War II. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is one of the most widely-read autobiographies. Frank actually wrote the diary since she felt she didn’t have any real friends, and that her diary, which she named ‘Kitty’ would be her real friend with whom she could share all her secrets. Young readers would be able to connect to Frank’s emotions since she was a teenage girl, and this book is suggested to be one of the best autobiography books for students.
Buy The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank here – https://amzn.to/3ysMsDz
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11. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin left for his heavenly abode in 1790 but left behind a piece of his feelings and memories that will live on forever. This remnant of Franklin’s memories, titled ‘The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin’, was written by Benjamin Franklin in a way that can vividly describe the America of his times. If you are interested in knowing more about this inspirational personality and his life, you must read one of the bestselling autobiographies, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Buy The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin here – https://amzn.to/3arvxt9
10. Chronicles, Vol 1 by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan, a popular American singer-songwriter, wrote his autobiography, Chronicles Vol 1. The book briefly explains Dylan’s childhood, career, and personal life. It shows the struggles Dylan had to face in order to get to the position he is in, today. This book is one of the bestselling autobiographies on Amazon.
Buy Chronicles, Vol 1 by Bob Dylan here – https://amzn.to/3AGpprI
9. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
With a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, this book focuses on the struggles faced by Maya Angelou in being recognized as one of the most famous authors and poets. She felt that her ethnicity made people view her as inferior to others, and she felt enslaved. The book describes how she fought and ensured that she got recognized as any other author and poet would be, regardless of caste, creed, gender, or ethnicity.
Buy I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou here – https://amzn.to/3PhN99n
8. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
As the title suggests, Stephen King’s autobiography, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” is all about writing. King recalls his passion for writing stories, right from his childhood days, and how his writing and passion evolved with time. He gives a new and hilarious perspective into his life and the development of the writer within himself. Next, he describes every aspect of writing that is religious to a writer. If you are an aspiring writer, this is one of the best autobiographies to read online.
Buy On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King here – https://amzn.to/3PlA0ML
7. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler
One of the most looked-down upon people in the world, Adolf Hitler wrote his autobiography, Mein Kampf (My Struggle) to describe to people how his life, right from childhood to adulthood was. Apart from his memories, he also elaborates his political philosophies, including his views on politics, state, and race. Mein Kampf shortly became a symbol of Nazi philosophy after Hitler took over Germany as dictator. For many people, the book is a medium of giving Hitler a chance to justify his wrongs and hear his opinions on what we consider to be the most dastardly acts in human history.
Buy Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (Kindle Edition) here – https://amzn.to/3OYkvup
6. Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi – Considered to be the best tennis player of all time. This native of Las Vegas was very successful at attracting attention from all over. If not the best, Agassi is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Andre describes his childhood, and his father, who was both emotionally and physically abusive. For the ignorant, at the youthful age of 22, Andre Agassi won his first Grand Slam, making him one of the youngest athletes in history to do so.
Buy Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi here – https://amzn.to/3RrttBO
5. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
One of Nobel Prize-winning American author Ernest Hemingway’s best-known works is A Moveable Feast. It was a memoir written in the 1950s based on Hemingway’s 1920s journals and released posthumously by his widow, Mary Hemingway. The author, his first wife Hadley, and their infant son Jack resided in Paris during this period. Hemingway struggled to make ends meet while working as a journalist for a Canadian daily and failed as a fiction author. After World War I, Paris had become a haven for intellectuals and artists, many of whom were expatriates like Hemingway.
Buy A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway here – https://amzn.to/3yyqlLZ
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Famous Autobiography Of Indian Personality
4. Wings of Fire by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Even the commonest of men can become technologists, that is, if they wish to, and are willing to, is the message Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam conveys through his very inspirational autobiography, Wings of Fire. It is a well-composed novel revolving around the life of Dr. Kalam, as he shares the minutest details of his life to inspire his readers. He has really created an ever-living part of himself that will continue to stay in the hearts of true patriots forever.
Buy Wings of Fire by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam here – https://amzn.to/3c7SvWF
3. Waiting for a Visa by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
This autobiography, Waiting for a Visa in contrast to others, is only 20 pages long, yet it contains a lot of meaning. Dr. Ambedkar gives a quick explanation of untouchability to those who are unfamiliar with it before moving on to the challenges that he and Indian society faced as a result. Then he goes on to explain how to eliminate this social evil and live a better life.
Buy Waiting for a Visa by Dr. BR Ambedkar here – https://amzn.to/3c1HLsI
2. Smriti Chitre: The Memoirs of a Spirited Wife by Lakshmibai Tilak
Smriti Chitre by Lakshmibai Tilak, originally written in Marathi, and translated by Shanta Gokhale into English describes the difficult lives of intellectual and questioning women, and the onerous choices they had to make. It is set in the era when India’s independence struggle had just begun, and women were included in revolts and protests. This is a women-empowering book, and you must read it for insights into the Indian freedom struggle, and women’s contribution to it. It is one of the very good autobiographies to read online.
Buy Smritichite: The Memoirs of a Spirited Wife by Lakshmibai Tilak here – https://amzn.to/3yXfcWz
1. The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi’s famous book, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, is his autobiography, in which he explains in detail the story of his life and his struggles. He explains the reason behind his most famous philosophy, Satyagraha. The book was originally written in Gujarati by him, later it was translated by Mahadev Desai.
In this book, Mahatma Gandhi opens up and lets the readers have a glimpse deep into his soul. He writes about his faults and the mistakes he made. He emphasizes self-discipline, regulation, and control. If you are looking for an inspirational, motivational, and famous autobiography of Indian personality, and bestselling autobiographies, you must read this book.
Buy The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi here – https://amzn.to/3Pb4LUE
Conclusion
Autobiographies can serve as a source of inspiration for many, when they are down in the dumps, feeling depressed, or unimportant. Others’ experiences, shared through autobiographies can greatly motivate one. Now, you are equipped with a list of 13 autobiographies to read in your free time. Don’t wait; start reading and getting inspired!
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