There’s nothing we love more than settling down after a long day of work, shoving the fire on and reading a good book. For many of us, the chance to escape our normal life and explore the halls of Hogwarts, the landscape of Middle Earth or the weird and wacky goings-on of Wonderland can keep us entertained. Yet sometimes, you want to strip it all back and read about things that have happened in history. There are so many cool people in this world (yep, even cooler than Harry Potter) that it would be a shame to ignore them. So check out these 5 biographies you should read:
Jack: A Life of C.S Lewis by George Sayer
If you’re a book lover, you would have heard of C.S Lewis. This esteemed author brought us classic stories such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Till We Have Faces and more. His incredible life was full of intellectual stimulation, famous friends, a burgeoning talent and incredible success – making him one of the most famous writers of all time. Jack: A Life of C.S Lewis is the most personal insight into his life and his talent, and offers an intimate look at his struggles and his successes as he tried to make it big in the world of writing. George Sayer, who was a close friend of Lewis, doesn’t shy away from some of the darker periods of his life, either.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Although it’s hard to think of the past, it is often important for us to realize what other people have done to change the course of history. This biography follows the life of the Anti-Nazi pastor who lived in Germany and fought against the Nazi regime. Eric Metaxas portrays the story of Bonhoeffer and his plots to halt Hitler in his tracks and stop the Nazis from their continual destruction. The story can be intense, but it is important we know what it was really like during this time.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Steve Jobs is one of the biggest names in the world of technology. After dropping out of college, Steve Jobs soon became one of the most successful businessmen, inventors, and entrepreneurs in the world. He co-founded Apple, one of the biggest corporations in the world, was a major shareholder for Pixar and was a hugely influential man to millions of people across the world. The Walter Isaacson biography gives us an in-depth insight into the life and times of the technological genius, from his early years to his career. The biography is honest, and hilarious, and well worth a read.
Eleanor Roosevelt Volume One and Volume Two by Blanche Wiesen Cook
American history is a huge part of world history. Even if you do not live in America, you will have probably heard of the Franklin D. Roosevelt, and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. As the longest-serving First-Lady of all time, Eleanor Roosevelt made a huge impact on the world of politics. However, her descent into the White House was not an easy one. She had no political experience, and her predecessors had struggled with the job. This biography highlights these struggles, but focus on her strengths and actions that soon made her one of the most-loved women in American history. You will learn a lot from this biography.
Are you looking for something else to read? Why not try out a biography…