25 Best Autobiographies of All Time
Updated: Jul. 01, 2024
Launch yourself into someone else's life story with these brilliant autobiographies
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The best autobiographies for a new perspective
Let’s be honest: We’re all kind of nosy. Fine, call it curious—tomato, tomahto—but the truth is, we enjoy learning about other people’s experiences, how they got from point A to B and the lessons they picked up along the way. Reading great autobiographies can scratch that curious itch, as we get to walk through a person’s life with them serving as our guide. To help you find the best autobiographies, we’ve put together a wide-ranging list that also includes some of the best books of all time.
Since we also have a roundup of memoirs everyone should read, we focused this list only on autobiographies, leaving out books that are labeled “a memoir” on the cover. (Yes, there’s a difference—more on that later.) We looked not only to contemporary bestsellers but also to autobiographies that were groundbreaking, books that have stood the test of time and books that have lessons relevant for today’s readers. You’ll even find personal recommendations from four experts—authors, a professor of writing and the president of book awards programs—who love autobiographies as much as we do. So get ready to learn about some truly extraordinary people.
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Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
For fans of: Renegades: Born in the USA by Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen
After Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the Super Bowl’s halftime show in 2009, the band’s stalwart leader decided to write about the thrilling once-in-a-lifetime experience, along with the events that led him there. It took seven years for Springsteen to write his remarkable autobiography, but it was well worth the wait. In 2016, the story of this legendary rock star’s life was ready to be shared with the world.
“In Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, one of the greatest troubadours of our time sings to us on every page,” says Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and The Many Daughters of Afong Moy. “Part expulsion, part confession, Springsteen speaks of forever being a boy who yearns for his father’s love (‘Those whose love we wanted but didn’t get, we emulate. It is our only way to get it.’) Like his music, the author holds nothing back about his journey, his personal struggles on and off the stage, and his epic triumphs, none of which could fill the father-shaped hole of misunderstanding carved into him as a child, which grew as an adult and was only fully recognized later in life—powerful stuff for anyone with a father, which is everyone.”
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Karma: My Autobiography by Boy George
For fans of: My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand and Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother and Me by Whoopi Goldberg
At times infamous and controversial and other times revered and unapologetic, Boy George, the Grammy Award–winning lead singer of the super-successful ’80s band Culture Club, has definitely led a full and colorful life. In his 2024 autobiography, Karma, he lays his soul bare with an illuminating tale spanning six decades, from his childhood in London to the early days of his music career to his current status as a trailblazer and LGBTQ+ icon. If you’re looking for a no-holds-barred, riveting read that also centers the journey to self-acceptance and the power of living as your authentic self—with more than a few laughs added for good measure—then this is your kind of book.
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
For fans of: Educated by Tara Westover and The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
You probably know Trevor Noah as the insightful and witty former host of The Daily Show. He’s also the most successful comedian in Africa, but Noah’s path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of the Emmy Award–winning Comedy Central show is as improbable as it gets. He was born to a white Swiss father and a Black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Published in 2016, the autobiographical comedy book is about coming of age in a world where your mere existence is considered a crime. Hilarious and heartbreaking at once, the poignant stories in this New York Times bestseller paint a moving portrait of a man trying to find his way through a “damaged world in a dangerous time” while keeping his humor and humanity intact.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
For fans of: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee
Dave Grohl has plenty to be proud of as a 16-time Grammy-winning musician, two-time Emmy-winning director, prolific artist and respected rock star. The man can definitely add “artful storyteller” and “gifted writer” to the list of legendary titles. Published in 2021, The Storyteller was an instant New York Times bestseller. What’s particularly refreshing is that this collection of stories covering everything from Grohl’s childhood to his current life was indeed written by the beloved musician and not a ghostwriter. Candid, humble, witty and inspiring, the stories unfold so easily that you might feel as if you’re having a series of casual chats with your buddy Dave. It’s a great read for music lovers and fans of immersive storytelling.
The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou by Maya Angelou
For fans of: Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera and Finding Me by Viola Davis
Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is one of the most regularly recommended books for women, and it remains one of the most acclaimed memoirs of all time. It focuses on Angelou’s childhood and became the first of seven classic books chronicling the author’s remarkable life and insight. Together, they form a complete autobiography, and six of them are included in the bestselling Collected Autobiographies, which was published in 2004. Through the gorgeous and distinct voice for which Angelou is known and revered, readers can learn about her inspired life and follow her remarkable journey from her formative years in Arkansas to her dedicated involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and, of course, the beginning of her extraordinary writing career. This is a must-add title for any list of the best autobiographies of all time.
“Every time I go back to reread Maya Angelou’s autobiographies—most recently this past year—I’m struck by how her words sing, no matter what she’s writing about,” says Tahneer Oksman, a professor of academic writing at Marymount Manhattan College and the co-editor of Feminists Reclaim Mentorship: An Anthology. “She has an extraordinary capacity to bring readers into the scene, whether she’s sitting in her grandmother’s church in Arkansas as a kid or listening to a Charlie Parker album for the first time years later in a record shop in San Francisco. Her autobiographies read like novels, and even if you basically know how things will turn out, she somehow keeps surprising you with each new chapter. I’d recommend her books to anyone interested in autobiography; they’re beautiful models for the literary potential of writing based on real-life events.”
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
For fans of: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Written by Benjamin Franklin between 1771 and 1790, and published in 1909, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin details the Founding Father’s early life and unique adulthood. One of the book’s most notable sections describes Franklin’s attempts to achieve “moral perfection” through the achievement of 13 virtues, including temperance, silence and order. Although the book was written more than 200 years ago, Franklin’s suggestions for bettering one’s life remain as current, inspirational and essential to humankind as ever.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass
For fans of: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight and The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B Du Bois
This historic work of nonfiction is widely considered one of the best autobiographies ever written. An 1845 treatise on slavery, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a vivid retelling of Douglass’s childhood and the torturous abuse he suffered at the hands of numerous slave owners, as well as his harrowing escape to freedom, after which he became a respected orator and prominent abolitionist. As we grapple with the legacy of slavery in America, reading Douglass’s firsthand experience is a painful and necessary step toward understanding the harm of the past and how it has shaped the present. As you shop for great autobiographies, consider purchasing from one of these Black-owned bookstores.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
For fans of: Night by Elie Wiesel
The Diary of a Young Girl was originally published in 1947, two years after Anne Frank’s death in a Nazi concentration camp at the age of 15. More than seven decades later, it is still one of the most famous books about the Holocaust. This autobiography takes the form of a collection of writings from the diary Frank kept for the two years she was in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In daily writings, she shares intimate details about her family, crushes on boys, her religion and the heartbreaking effects of the war. Despite her tragic end, what makes this book so remarkable is how Frank was able to remain hopeful about the goodness of humanity, even with the suffering her family endured. Almost not published, The Diary of a Young Girl is now a must-read for students and adults alike.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
For fans of: King: A Life by Jonathan Eig and Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
In 1962, anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested for conspiring to incite a strike and overthrow the government, and he was sentenced to life in prison. He would serve 28 years. Following his release in 1990, he rose to become the country’s first Black president, in the first presidency secured by democratic election.
Published in 1994, Long Walk to Freedom, recounts Mandela’s remarkable life, from his childhood growing up in Mvezo, South Africa, to his formal education and training as a lawyer. It also chronicles his time in prison and his unprecedented ascension to the presidency, further cementing Mandela’s place as one of the most notable leaders of our time. In the three decades that ensued, his autobiography has become an essential read about racism and, as former President Barack Obama has said, a must for “anyone who wants to understand history—and then go out and change it.”
Living for Change: An Autobiography by Grace Lee Boggs
For fans of: Angela Davis: An Autobiography by Angela Davis
We listed the dual biography of Grace Lee Boggs and her husband, James Boggs, on our list of best biographies, but even if you’ve read that account, the story of her life in her own words still makes for a fascinating and enlightening read. The activist’s life spanned 100 years and many pivotal social movements. In her expansive 1998 autobiography, Living for Change, Boggs details her evolution as an intellectual and an activist, working with other leaders like Malcolm X and C.L.R. James, as well as her husband.
Autobiography of an Androgyne by Earl Lind
For fans of: The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye
Written in 1918 for a clinical audience, this may not be one of the most typical autobiographies, but it’s all the more important for its rarity. In clear prose, Earl Lind shares his life story and advocates for recognition of and respect for those who don’t fit society’s binary identities. Regarded as a groundbreaking book for queer and transgender literature, Autobiography of an Androgyne stands as a reminder that there have been nonbinary, trans and queer people for far longer than some are willing to recognize, and part of creating a more just society is increasing representation of literature from this diverse community.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
For fans of: A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Some people call this massive bestseller a memoir, but the way Becoming spans Michelle Obama’s life easily qualifies it as an autobiography—one of the best autobiographies you’ll ever read, to be exact. Divided into three parts (Becoming Me, Becoming Us, Becoming More), this 2018 book takes us through the former first lady’s childhood in Chicago, the early days of her relationship with her husband and their time in the White House. Readers see, like never before, the amount of turmoil and stress that accompanied this heavy responsibility and how it could be handled with grace only by a woman full of strength and good humor.
Pro tip: Pick up the audiobook version, which she narrates herself. If you love it, you can continue the journey with the inspiring follow-up, The Light We Carry.
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
For fans of: We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is one of those rare figures in society recognized immediately by first name. She has become a symbol of strength, courage, equity in education and the promise of her young generation. Her activism began with writing, so it’s fitting that her story continues with the 2013 autobiography I Am Malala. It tells her story up until that point—a mere 16 years filled with awe-inspiring accomplishments. She, of course, became the world’s youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, putting her life on the line, championing girls and remaining committed to being the change.
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda
For fans of: Gandhi: An Autobiography by Mahatma Gandhi
This truly remarkable book has been in continuous print since it first published in 1946, and it’s estimated to have printed over 4 million copies now. Born in 1893, Paramhansa Yogananda is widely credited with popularizing yoga in the United States. Autobiography of a Yogi is both the story of his life and a self-help guide that teaches readers how to cultivate their inner lives. This book is so beloved that Steve Jobs arranged for it to be handed out to every guest at his memorial service. Both its and Yogananda’s legacy are still going strong.
An Autobiography by Agatha Christie
For fans of: Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley and Terry Pratchett: A Life with Footnotes by Rob Wilkins
If you’re a fan of mysteries, you’ve likely read a book by Agatha Christie—it’s possible you’ve even read a few dozen books by the prolific detective novelist. But even if you’ve never cracked open one of her novels or short story collections, you’ll still enjoy An Autobiography, published posthumously in 1997. Christie’s voice is as clever and witty as ever in this detailed account of her life through age 75. Due to its length (over 500 pages), this isn’t a book you’re likely to finish in one sitting. Each time you read it, though, you’ll feel like you had a conversation with the author and learned how she thought of life and writing.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
For fans of: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against.” This powerful quote comes from a letter Malcolm X wrote from Mecca and is part of his must-read story. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published three months after he was tragically assassinated in 1965. It was put together by acclaimed author Alex Haley, a longtime Reader’s Digest contributor, who combined interviews with Malcolm X and excerpts of his writing. (Haley also provides an epilogue.) One of the most important activists and thinkers in the racial justice movement, Malcolm X will not be forgotten, and his remains one of the most important autobiographies about race and racism—it’s certainly a book everyone should read at least once.
Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan
For fans of: Me: Elton John by Elton John and It’s A Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson
Not only has Bob Dylan won multiple Grammy Awards for his contributions to music, but he also won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his 2004 autobiography, Chronicles. In his songs, Dylan is a gifted storyteller, and that gift doesn’t fade in the telling of his life story. From Greenwich Village in 1961 to the recording studio in 1989, we see the people and places that infuse themselves into his work. This book is not without controversy, though. Over the years, some phrases were discovered to be the words of other artists, including Ernest Hemingway, Mezz Mezzrow and Marcel Proust. This intertextuality was not properly attributed, leading to complaints of plagiarism.
Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodríguez
For fans of: Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption and Hollywood by Danny Trejo
Published in 1993, this award-winning book is considered a classic in the autobiography/memoir category. It was also one of the most frequently banned books in the 1990s. Former Los Angeles poet laureate Luis Javier Rodríguez has written 16 books and won all manner of accolades, but there was a time in his life when this was inconceivable. Always Running is an unsparing look at the L.A. gang life that Rodríguez was immersed in growing up. His hard-won battle out is a gripping and important story, written as a way to save his son from gang life and read and needed by many.
Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1 by Mark Twain
For fans of: Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was a master of the written word. Of course, Twain is known for classic novels such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But his autobiography is not to be missed. His last work—published in 2010, a century after his death, as he directed—Autobiography of Mark Twain instantly became a bestseller. Unlike conventional autobiographies, the story of Twain’s life doesn’t follow a chronological, predictable order; rather, it serves as a collection of ruminations about his exceptional experiences, based on 5,000 pages of memoirs he left in the care of the University of California at Berkeley before his death.
“Mark Twain and Winston Churchill knew each other and shared a talent for dramatizing themselves to the public,” says Robert Schmuhl, the author of Mr. Churchill in the White House. “Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1—similar to Churchill’s six volumes about the Second World War—remains a fascinating, broad-as-the-Mississippi narrative that crowns earlier works, like Innocents Abroad or Roughing It, as inspired recollections about a unique life. Twain always wanted the last word. His autobiography provides that—and much more—with a gusto and finality a reader of today can readily admire.”
Becoming a Visible Man by Jamison Green
For fans of: Love Lives Here: A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family by Rowan Jetté Knox
Jamison Green is an author, educator and transgender rights activist. First published in 2004, Green’s autobiographical account of his trans experience has served as a reflection for many in the female-to-male (FTM) community and as a resource for allies of the trans community who want to better understand some of the challenges of this journey. Informative and even academic at times, Becoming a Visible Man blends theory, personal stories and a history of activism. Though some progress has been made since this book first came out, representation of trans masculine people is still sorely lacking. Some terminology in this book is a bit dated, but if you want some historical context for the fight for trans rights, this autobiography is a good place to start.
Cash: The Autobiography by Johnny Cash
For fans of: Life by Keith Richards
Johnny Cash is often seen as troubled and haunted by a certain darkness. There’s more to the black-clad crooner than that, though. In his 1997 autobiography, Cash, he brings to life pivotal moments in his famous musical career, revisits memories he’s never written about before, discusses his spirituality and muses on the state of music and culture. If you enjoyed the 2005 film Walk the Line about the life of Johnny Cash, this nonfiction book will give you even more insight into the mind of the man who gave us songs such as “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me by Janet Mock
For fans of: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
In 2011, Janet Mock told her story for the first time in a Marie Claire profile, coming out as transgender and proud. The New York Times bestseller and winner of multiple awards went on to publish her debut book, Redefining Realness in 2014. Mock followed up the success of that empowering book with Surpassing Certainty in 2017. Any young person struggling to find their path will be inspired by the way Mock became the powerhouse she is today. She is an Emmy-nominated writer, director and executive producer of shows such as Pose and Hollywood, and she’s a fierce advocate for trans rights.
Flying Free: My Victory Over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the U.S. Aerobatic Team by Cecilia Aragon
For fans of: Amelia Earhart by Doris L. Rich
Published in 2020, Flying Free is a remarkable and uplifting story of how a shy, bullied girl followed her interests and harnessed her abilities to literally soar above us all. Cecilia Aragon felt excluded and fearful during childhood but had a special strength in math. When a coworker introduced her to flying as an adult, something clicked into place, and she couldn’t get enough, first learning the basics and then venturing into aerobatics. She used math to overcome any fears, calculating each tricky maneuver ahead of time. In these pages, she takes us on great loops through the air and a journey where it feels like not even the sky is the limit. This is an especially great autobiography for girls who love math, readers looking for more books by Latinx authors and anyone who wants to overcome their fears.
Courage to Soar: a Body in Motion, a Life in Balance by Simone Biles
For fans of: Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Gabrielle Douglas and All In: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King
Reading 2016’s Courage to Soar is like sitting and listening to the greatest of all time, Simone Biles, tell you about her life lessons. And who wouldn’t want to do that? In a friendly, generous and empowering voice, Biles shares stories of her obstacles and how she worked to overcome them. She has made it through foster care, doubt and the most rigorous training to grow beyond even what this book holds. It’s a perfect read for young girls and teens, athletes or anyone wanting a little encouragement and inspiration.
Humble Yet Fierce: My Life Behind the Curtain of the CIA by Katy McQuaid
For fans of: In True Face: A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked by Jonna Mendez and The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy
You don’t have to be an aspiring spy to appreciate Katy McQuaid’s 2023 book. In Humble Yet Fierce, the CIA’s former deputy director of logistics chronicles her journey into the leader she is today. “I love Humble Yet Fierce: My Life Behind the Curtain of the CIA by Katy McQuaid because it is a unique and unconventional compilation of stories that gives insight into the author’s three decades at the CIA,” says Gabriella Olczak, president of the Independent Press Award and New York City Big Book Award programs. “McQuaid demonstrates how to rise above conventional expectations and become an effective leader by being humble and empathetic. She gently encourages readers to push the boundaries of their comfort zones to reach their potential. The prose is not preachy but rather relatable and engaging. I would recommend this book to women who are working in male-dominated professions. It will be particularly beneficial and useful to young people who are interested in pursuing careers in diplomacy or international relations and/or [have] aspirations to work at the CIA or a similar organization.”
FAQs
Biography vs. autobiography: What’s the difference?
When it comes to biography vs. autobiography, the distinction is easy: Biographies are written by an author other than the subject, while autobiographies are written by the subjects themselves.
Memoir vs. autobiography: What’s the difference?
The difference between a memoir and an autobiography can be a little trickier. A general guideline is that an autobiography is the story of a life, while a memoir is a story from a life. In other words, a memoir focuses on a distinct period of time or theme, while an autobiography runs through a person’s life and is usually told chronologically.
Even an autobiography can’t encompass a whole life, though—after all, the author is still living it. Sometimes a series of memoirs is later compiled and categorized as an autobiography. Other times, there are books that straddle both genres.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and The Many Daughters of Afong Moy; email interview, June 2024
- Tahneer Oksman, professor of academic writing at Marymount Manhattan College and the coeditor of Feminists Reclaim Mentorship: An Anthology; email interview, June 2024
- Robert Schmuhl, author of Mr. Churchill in the White House; email interview, June 2024
- Gabriella Olczak, president of the Independent Press Award and New York City Big Book Award programs; email interview, June 2024
Originally Published: November 05, 2021
