What autobiographies or autobiographical pieces have you read? Why do you think autobiographies tend to be top sellers or on the New York Times book list? If you could read someone's autobiography that you have not had the chance to read, whose would it be and why?
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Two of the autobiographies that I know I have read, are The Diary of Anne Frank and Four Perfect Pebbles, both of which pertain to WWII and the Holocaust. I think that autobiographies often top the best sellers chart because many people find it interesting to read about the lives of others, especially those who are well know like actors, authors, those who have or are making a difference in the world or even historical figures. Sometimes they show the reader that even though they might be famous and wealthy, they have had struggles and other problems that are similar to what the everyday person has had to endure. A lot of the time they also show that they are truely just like everyone else despite their career choice and people can relate to them. I'm not sure what autobiography I would like to read but if i do read one in the future it will probably be about someone who has been an inspiration in some form or fashion.
I have read one autobiography that I can actually remember. Small Steps, which was a tale of a girl who inherited polio as a child and how she fought off the life-threatening disease, was an autobiography I just recently read. Autobiographies tend to be top-sellers, because many of them are of various interesting subjects and can draw a reader in with more descriptive images and voice. Since the author experienced what he/she is writing about, it gives them an advantage of how creative and interesting a piece is. I would like to read an autobiography of someone who is inspirational and has gone through hardships to recieve various accomplishments. But seeing as I can not think of any people that fits that description at the moment, I guess I would like to read about Will Ferrell. He is hilarious in everything he does and I would love to see how his career started and to see how his personality is portrayed in his life story.
The most recent autobiography that I have read is called Small Steps: The Year I got Polio. The author writes about the time in her life when she was diagnosed with polio. I think that autobiographies are commonly best sellers because the stories are true and based on acutal events. Autobiographies draw readers in because the reader gets a sense of who the author is and what kind of life experiences they have had. Also readers can relate to some autobiographies because they too may have experienced some of the same things the author has. If I could read an autobiography on anybody I would want it to be about someone who has had to deal with many struggles in their life and how they overcame those struggles. I find abuse stories interesting and I think that the people who are victims of abuse turn out to be stronger people.
Brady
I haven't read many autobiographies, but the ones I remember were enjoyable. My favorite, and certainly one of my favorite books of all, was required reading for US History: The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw. It compiles many short autobiographies from Americans during World War II. Brokaw's message in the book was that the generation that lived, fought, and died during WWII was the greatest generation of Americans to have ever lived, and after reading the book, I agreed with him. Hearing the true stories of people has a much more powerful effect than fiction, likely because anyone can create fiction. Not everyone goes through something like a world war. I would certainly enjoy reading more autobiographies of people who lived during times of war, but I would really enjoy reading the autobiography of one of my favorite authors.
The autobiography that I have most recently read is called Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio. It is about a young girl who is attacked by the polio virus that threatens to take her life. She awakens to find that she is paralyzed from the neck down and breathing begins to get harder and harder. I think that autobiographies are always top sellers simply because as human beings we were born nosey. We love to know everything about everyone. It's mostly famous people, such as actors, singers and authors that we itch to know more about. Also, I think that everyone has flaws and insecurities, and reading about a hollywood star's flaws is intriguing to anyone. It makes them seem more like an everyday person when you finally see that they are not perfect. If I could choose to read an autobiography about someone I think it would be about Barack Obama. With the election of an African-American Muslim President and all of the arguments and debates about how he will fulfill his job title, I find myself wanting to know everything I possibly can about him. I've heard so many different statements that are so opinionated and I would love to know his true feelings, passions and goals for this country.
One autobiography I remember reading is Four Perfect Pebbles. It is a book about the Holocaust written my a young girl, who I actually got to meet. The book tells about her family's struggle, and forced seperation during the Holocaust. I really helped the reader understand better, because it was written by the direct person the events occured to. Which made it less likely to get twisted and fumbled around with. Being there are so many interesting peope in world from Holocaust survivors, and powerful leaders to Olympic Medalist. However the one person I would like to read a autobiography about out of so many incredible people would be about my grandmother. Everytime I go to visit her she has to most interesting storied through her childhood and early adult years. She has inspired me in so many ways and I dont think there would ever be enough time for her to tell me all of her entralling stories, so I would love a chance to read more about her and know first hand exactly who she is as a person, my oma.
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