Post: #26

Crossroads (The life and afterlife of Robert Johnson) - great read on a mythical figure

Empire: William S Paley and the making of CBS - Story of his singular focus, business acumen and womanizing

Eldridge Cleaver Soul on Ice (Autobiography) - uncompromising & unflinching

Pimp The story of my life Iceberg Slim - self explanatory

Post: #27

I'd like to bring this thread back to the front page.

Any must-read biographies or autobiographies you've personally read?

Post: #28

I've just finished reading Napoleon: A Political Life by Steven Englund. Well written, although the style of writing was somewhat too literary for my taste.

Currently reading Mussolini: A New Life by Nicholas Farrell. Great read, casts a completely new light on the usual stuff I learned about him in school. I had no idea Mussolini was such a badass alpha character-wise.

Post: #29

I´m reading Mike Tyson biography, very entertaining.

Other then that I recommend Jon Roberts ´American desperado´, he was the right hand of Pablo Escobar in the US and in general a complete madman.

I read the Iceberg Slim book as well, but a word of caution, it contain a lot of slang, as a non-american it can be hard to read.

Post: #30

I read Sam Giancana Double Cross. Meyer Lansky the Little Man, Jimmy the Weasel Fratianno, Emperor Dowager Cixi of China and George Orwell

Post: #31

(12-28-2015 10:09 AM)Khan Wrote:  I've just finished reading Napoleon: A Political Life by Steven Englund. Well written, although the style of writing was somewhat too literary for my taste.

There's a new bio on Napoleon out, by Andrew Roberts. Just FYI. I plan on reading it this summer.

I heartily recommend Manchester's 3-vol biography of Churchill, The Last Lion.


I'm currently reading the latest Stalin biography by Kotkin, the supposed "definitive" biography. Its my third bio on Stalin, so we'll see.

Post: #32

One biographical movie I definitely recommend people to watch is "Bobby Fischer Against the World", released in 2011.

He's hands down one of the most fascinating people to have ever lived. The documentary is so intriguing that even those who don't have a clue about Chess, will find it interesting.

If you rather watch more of a movie "dramatic" version of his biography, "Pawn Sacrifice" is also good, with Tobey Maguire playing as Bobby. I've seen both a few times and I reckon I prefer the documentary.

and if anyone happened to go to Iceland, I'd definitely recommend driving south to Selfoss from Reykjavik and go to Bobby Fischer museum (Dedicated to 1972 Chess Championship). some great historical remaining from the massive cold war game, and bobby's grave himself is in a very lonely, yet intriguing church at a dead-end location.

Post: #33

Joseph Fouché by Stefan Zweig was a really fun Biography to read.
It tells of the rise to power of Fouché before, during and after the French Revolution. Surviving guillotines, the changing wind of politics and Napoleon. In addition to other famous personas of the time. In a nutshell.

http://amzn.to/1RcwV1b
(not sure how to add a picture link of the cover)

Post: #34

I am about to read a book about Carnegie.

Post: #35

I've read that one. Excellent.

Post: #36

It is called Carnegie richest man in the world by Raymond Brown.

Post: #37

Reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I can't put it down.