Biographies & Memoirs - Books

Hunger

Biographies & Memoirs

Published in 1890, “Hunger” (“Sult” in Norwegian) is a semi-autobiographical novel by Knut Hamsun based on his many unhappy experiences in Norway’s capital city of Christiania. "Hunger" was one of the first modern psychological novels in world literature.Told in the first person, it is the story of a young writer of exceptional sensibility, who, stripped of all of his property and without any reliable means of support, is about to perish from extreme hunger. The book contains little action in the traditional sense. With the exception of the story of a few attempts to secure employment and the account of a brief encounter with a lady of the middle class, the text consists almost exclusively of reports of the narrator’s mental life during periods of starvation.The unnamed narrator of this plotless episodic work is an introspective young man whose hunger to succeed as a writer matches his intense physical hunger. He lacks human contact and at times seems demented. Although he has occasional hunger-induced hallucinations, he neither feels sorry for himself nor tries to rectify his situation.The book’s impulsive, lyrical style marked a clear departure from the then-prevalent social realism and had an electrifying effect on European writers.Born in 1859 in Lom, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, Knut Hamsun believed writers should write about the human mind. He wrote psychological works that included running inner monolog. Hamsun wrote plays, poetry, essays, short stories, over twenty novels, and a travelogue. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920 for "Growth of the Soil".

Abraham Lincoln

Biographies & Memoirs

“Abraham Lincoln” by Lord Charnwood is not just a biography; it’s a deep dive into the life of a man who shaped the destiny of the United States, set against the tumultuous backdrop of a nation grappling with its identity. Charnwood's work seeks to explain to a non-American audience the significance of Abraham Lincoln, the “puzzled civil magistrate,” who became a revered figure. Unlike warriors or artists, whose greatness is measured by concrete achievements, statesmen like Lincoln are judged by their ability to subtly shift the direction and spirit of a people. This book explores the multi-faceted aspects of Lincoln's life, his character, and the historical context that propelled him into the annals of history.

The Orchid Thief

Biographies & Memoirs

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK A modern classic of personal journalism, The Orchid Thief is Susan Orlean’s wickedly funny, elegant, and captivating tale of an amazing obsession. Determined to clone an endangered flower—the rare ghost orchid Polyrrhiza lindenii—a deeply eccentric and oddly attractive man named John Laroche leads Orlean on an unforgettable tour of America’s strange flower-selling subculture, through Florida’s swamps and beyond, along with the Seminoles who help him and the forces of justice who fight him. In the end, Orlean—and the reader—will have more respect for underdog determination and a powerful new definition of passion. In this new edition, coming fifteen years after its initial publication and twenty years after she first met the “orchid thief,” Orlean revisits this unforgettable world, and the route by which it was brought to the screen in the film Adaptation, in a new retrospective essay.Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more. Praise for The Orchid Thief “Stylishly written, whimsical yet sophisticated, quirkily detailed and full of empathy . . . The Orchid Thief shows [Orlean’s] gifts in full bloom.”—The New York Times Book Review “Fascinating . . . an engrossing journey [full] of theft, hatred, greed, jealousy, madness, and backstabbing.”—Los Angeles Times “Orlean’s snapshot-vivid, pitch-perfect prose . . . is fast becoming one of our national treasures.”—The Washington Post Book World “Orlean’s gifts [are] her ear for the self-skewing dialogue, her eye for the incongruous, convincing detail, and her Didion-like deftness in description.”—Boston Sunday Globe “A swashbuckling piece of reporting that celebrates some virtues that made America great.”—The Wall Street Journal

Foreign Service

Biographies & Memoirs

A behind the scenes look at 50 years of US diplomacy. From Vietnam in the 1960s to Afghanistan in this decade, James Dobbins was on the frontlines of American diplomacy and worked to advance U.S. national interests in some of the world's most difficult and troubled arenas. In Foreign Service, Dobbins takes the reader behind the scenes at the Vietnam peace talks, the darkest days of the Cold War, the reunification of Germany, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo, and Somalia. He provides a thoughtful insider's account of all these ventures, analyzes the sources of both success and failure, and provides incisive portraits of many of the chief actors. Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama turned repeatedly to Dobbins as a diplomatic trouble-shooter with the right instincts and experience to help find solutions for seemingly irresolvable problems. Foreign Service vividly captures why they did.

Nel vuoto

Biographies & Memoirs

Alex Honnold ha poco più di trent’anni ed è il miglior climber in “free solo” del mondo. Scala la roccia a mani nude, senza corde, chiodi o attrezzature di alcun tipo. Negli ultimi quarant’anni, solo una manciata di alpinisti ha spinto questa disciplina così al limite. La metà di loro è morta. Honnold ha aperto vie che prima erano ritenute inaccessibili e ha alzato l’asticella delle difficoltà a livelli mai visti. Dal celebre Half Dome nello Yosemite Park allo spaventoso El Sendero Luminoso in Messico, questo libro raccoglie alcuni dei più incredibili successi di arrampicata conseguiti da Honnold finora. Storie che fanno sudare le mani e tremare le ginocchia per le vertigini. Storie che, pagina dopo pagina, parete dopo parete, mostrano come – e perché – Alex fa quello che fa. Emozionante e profondo, Nel vuoto rivela la purezza di un uomo che vive in bilico sul crinale della vita e, guardando in faccia la morte, scala alla ricerca del senso ultimo dell’esistenza.

Abraham Lincoln

Biographies & Memoirs

Lord Charnwood's biography of Abraham Lincoln is a superbly written and well-researched account of the lauded American statesman and President's life. Published in 1916, Charnwood's account of Lincoln's life is benefited by the fact many of the President's contemporaries had by that time written first-hand accounts of the revered statesman's life and manner. Drawing on these sources, and his own researches into the history of the American nation, Charnwood assembled a convincing and authoritative biography. The book is composed with twin commentaries: On the one hand, we hear about the development of the USA and the political events which shaped the destiny of its inhabitants. A deeply held will to make a difference moved Lincoln from his humble beginnings in a rural log cabin toward his famous campaign first for the Illinois House of Representatives, then for the U.S. Senate, and finally the Presidency of the United States. On the other hand, Lincoln's character and individual development receive examination. We hear about the upbringing and inner convictions which shaped the young Abe Lincoln's mind, and his habits of writing and oratory. His opposition to slavery, a characteristic which defined his ascent to the apex of American politics, is particularly explained. In the latter stages, the narrative converges and is occupied with Lincoln's speeches and actions during the American Civil War. The triumphs and calamities of the destructive conflict, and the reactions of the President and his closest counsel, are told. Finally we hear a detailed account of the fateful night in Ford's Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated to the great and lasting shock of the fractured nation.

TIME Donald Trump

Biographies & Memoirs

Whether you love him or hate him, dismiss him or maintain a grudging respect, there's no denying that Donald Trump has up– ended this year's election season.Now, in this new Special Edition from the editors at TIME, you'll be able to go inside Donald Trump's world, from his early days in real estate development to his potentially historic race for the presidency.Donald Trump: The Rise of a Rule Breaker takes a balanced approach to the subject of all things Trump: from his outsider status in this year's presidential race to his complicated family life. You'll visit the Trumps at home, learn about the scandal surrounding Trump University and delve more deeply into "Things Called Trump," including apartment buildings, clothing, and casinos. Additionally, you'll look at Donald Trump's faith and his lighter side—which he does have. Additionally, readers will learn about the disaffected voters who are fueling his bid for the presidency.Donald Trump: The Rise of a Rule Breaker gives context to a compelling, complex and fascinating man.

Mestieri di scrittori

Biographies & Memoirs

Cosa facevano molti scrittori per vivere, prima di diventare famosi. Un itinerario capriccioso e divertente nel quotidiano degli artisti da giovani quando non sapevano o non speravano ciò che sarebbero diventati per noi.

Abraham Lincoln

Biographies & Memoirs

In "Abraham Lincoln" by Lord Charnwood, the esteemed biographer delves into the life of one of history's most significant statesmen. Charnwood highlights Lincoln's enduring legacy as a misunderstood and underrated leader, whose true greatness is only beginning to be fully recognized. Lincoln's exceptional dedication, moral clarity, and profound simplicity set him apart as a figure of immense influence and humility. Charnwood's work stands as an English perspective on Lincoln, reflecting on the parallels between Lincoln's trials and those faced by contemporary readers. This biography examines Lincoln's remarkable ability to balance hard work with an unwavering commitment to justice, as well as his childlike sincerity, which he maintained throughout his life. In a period marked by its own struggles, "Abraham Lincoln" offers a powerful exploration of a leader whose virtues—patience, modesty, optimism, and eloquence—serve as timeless lessons. Charnwood's portrayal invites readers to appreciate Lincoln's legacy in a new light, making this book a vital read for anyone interested in the intersection of leadership, morality, and history. Discover the profound impact of Lincoln's life and leadership through Lord Charnwood's insightful biography. "Abraham Lincoln" is a must-read for those seeking to understand the depth and complexity of one of the greatest figures in history. Experience the legacy of Lincoln. Purchase "Abraham Lincoln" by Lord Charnwood today and gain a fresh perspective on a towering figure of history.

En håndfuld oliven og et glas vin - erindringer

Biographies & Memoirs

EN HÅNDFULD OLIVEN OG ET GLAS VIN handler om tilvalg og fravalg, op- og nedture – om overlevelse og fest. Det er en berigende og lun læseoplevelse – ofte med mad og (legendariske) vine som omdrejningspunkt. Bogens forfatter, den verdensberømte vinmand, Peter Vinding-Diers, har skrevet en inspirerende erindringsbog om sit liv i vinens verden – med store udfordringer, banebrydende opdagelser, spændende bekendtskaber og dertil hørende oplevelser. Vinen har været hjørnestenen i det meste af Peter Vinding-Diers liv, men bogen handler lige så meget om hans tilgang til livet, om at leve det fuldt ud, om passion, værdier, drømme og viljen til at få dem opfyldt i samspil med familie og venner. Vin-guruen Hugh Johnson har skrevet bogens forord.

Arletty

Biographies & Memoirs

Quand Michel Perrin rencontre Arletty en 1952, il ne s’agit pas d’une interview comme les autres : sept ans après la Libération et ses remous, Arletty accepte pour la première fois de revenir, en toute franchise et en toute liberté, sur sa vie et sa carrière, avec sa gouaille d’enfant des faubourgs. Michel Perrin, journaliste, pasticheur et auteur dramatique, fut l’ami d’Arletty pendant 35 ans. C’est cette amitié et la confiance qu’elle entraînait que reflète le livre. Introuvable depuis des années, cette biographie vivante, bourrée d’anecdotes et rehaussée des saillies légendaires de la « Grande Dame au franc parler » qu’était Arletty, demeure un document unique sur un cas unique. Cette nouvelle édition est augmentée de photos — certaines inédites — et d’un index chronologique des films, pièces, opérettes et revues interprétés tout au long de sa carrière par l’inoubliable comédienne d’Hôtel du Nord, des Visiteurs du soir et des Enfants du Paradis. Arletty, née à Courbevoie le 15 mai 1898, s’est éteinte à Paris à l’âge de 94 ans.

Stormy Weather

Biographies & Memoirs

At long last, the first serious biography of entertainment legend Lena Horne -- the celebrated star of film, stage, and music who became one of the first African-American icons. At the 2001 Academy Awards, Halle Berry thanked Lena Horne for paving the way for her to become the first black recipient of a Best Actress Oscar. Though limited, mostly to guest singing appearances in splashy Hollywood musicals, "the beautiful Lena Horne," as she was often called, became a pioneering star for African Americans in the 1940s and fifties. Now James Gavin, author of Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker, draws on a wealth of unmined material and hundreds of interviews -- one of them with Horne herself -- to give us the defining portrait of an American icon. Gavin has gotten closer than any other writer to the celebrity who has lived in reclusion since 1998. Incorporating insights from the likes of Ruby Dee, Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll, Arthur Laurents, and several of Horne's fellow chorines from Harlem's Cotton Club, Stormy Weather offers a fascinating portrait of a complex, even tragic Horne -- a stunning talent who inspired such giants of showbiz as Barbra Streisand, Eartha Kitt, and Aretha Franklin, but whose frustrations with racism, and with tumultuous, root-less childhood, left wounds too deep to heal. The woman who emerged was as angry as she was luminous. From the Cotton Club's glory days and the back lots of Hollywood's biggest studios to the glitzy but bigoted hotels of Las Vegas's heyday, this behind-the-scenes look at an American icon is as much a story of the limits of the American dream as it is a masterful, ground-breaking biography.

In the House of the Interpreter

Biographies & Memoirs

With black-and-white illustrations throughoutWorld-renowned Kenyan novelist, poet, playwright, and literary critic Ng˜ug˜ý wa Thiong’o gives us the second volume of his memoirs in the wake of his critically acclaimed Dreams in a Time of War. In the House of the Interpreter richly and poignantly evokes the author’s life and times at boarding school—the first secondary educational institution in British-ruled Kenya—in the 1950s, against the backdrop of the tumultuous Mau Mau Uprising for independence and Kenyan sovereignty. While Ng˜ug˜ý has been enjoying scouting trips, chess tournaments, and reading about the fictional RAF pilot adventurer Biggles at the prestigious Alliance High School near Nairobi, things have been changing rapidly at home. Poised as he is between two worlds, Ng˜ug˜ý returns home for his first visit since starting school to find his house razed and the entire village moved up the road, closer to a guard checkpoint. Later, his brother Good Wallace, a member of the insurgency, is captured by the British and taken to a concentration camp. As for Ng˜ug˜ý himself, he falls victim to the forces of colonialism in the person of a police officer encountered on a bus journey, and he is thrown into jail for six days. In his second year at Alliance High School, the boarding school that was his haven in a heartless world is shattered by investigations, charges of disloyalty, and the politics of civil unrest. In the House of the Interpreter hauntingly describes the formative experiences of a young man who would become a world-class writer and, as a political dissident, a moral compass to us all. It is a winning celebration of the implacable determination of youth and the power of hope.

LIFE James Dean

Biographies & Memoirs

LIFE Magazine memorializes actor James Dean.

L'ultimo sogno

Biographies & Memoirs

«Un'autobiografia che copre le fasi più importanti della sua vita, accompagnando il lettore in un viaggio intimo che svela l'uomo nascosto dietro la macchina da presa»TuttoLibri«Ciò che qui il lettore cerca - e trova - sono alcune tessere per comporre meglio il puzzle enigmatico che costituisce la personalità del regista»Robinson«Un caleidoscopio che, in un gioco di luci e specchi, restituisce qualcosa, molto, della vita, della poetica, del percorso artistico di Almodóvar»La Lettura«Questo libro ci apre le porte del suo universo intimo e della sua immaginazione debordante.»La Lectura (El Mundo)«Le sue narrazioni sono ambientate nei patios della Mancia, nei collegi dei padri salesiani e negli allegri bar della Movida e danno conto del profondo legame tra vita, scrittura e produzione cinematografica. »BabeliaGrazie al punto di vista dei personaggi indimenticabili che ha portato sul grande schermo, Pedro Almodóvar ha raccontato mondi sommersi, sogni lontani e realtà estranee, celebrando l’essere umano in tutto il suo spettro di emozioni complesse e contraddittorie.Il suo stile eclettico, colorato e caratterizzato da una totale onestà è riuscito nell’impresa di conquistare tanto Hollywood quanto i cinefili più esigenti. In questo libro, il regista che ha segnato una svolta culturale in Spagna e nel mondo svela l’uomo nascosto dietro la macchina da presa, accompagnando il lettore in un viaggio personale dagli ampi orizzonti. Dalla fine degli anni Sessanta a oggi, gli episodi narrati riflettono alcune delle sue ossessioni più intime, e parallelamente la sua evoluzione come artista. Gli anni bui della scuola, l’influenza della scrittura sulla vita, il ruolo imponderabile del caso, gli svantaggi della fama, la passione per i libri o la sperimentazione di generi narrativi sono alcuni dei temi che popolano questo universo di carta, ricco di emozioni e provocazioni come quelli celebrati dai suoi film.

Live Fast, Die Young

Biographies & Memoirs

Live Fast, Die Young: Rembering the Short Life of James Dean is a first — revealing James Dean from the inside out by someone who knew him intimately, in more ways than one. John Gilmore hung out with Dean during the early days in New York, and again in Hollywood when Dean starred in his first movie, East of Eden. They pounded the pavements of Broadway together, raced motorcycles, had sex with the same women (and compared notes), experimented with gay sex, and tried to make love to another. “We were bad boys playing bad boys while opening up the bisexual sides of our separate personalities . . .” One sex scene between the two is played out in black leather to the music of Edith Piaf. “The sex was a game,” Gilmore writes. “Jimmy was obsessed with riding the black ship to hell, and for that quick time I was on board with him.” Dean found in the young Gilmore a “kind of unthreatening waste basket” into which he confided, dumping his chaotic, erotic and crazy ideas. “We enjoyed poetry and bullfighting, bongo drums, booze, and girls; knew the same crummy friends and sleepless, searching nights.” Dean’s insights into his brilliant Broadway success and the films that followed are revealed through Gilmore’s story as are Dean’s hatred of his disapproving father; his intimacy with his mother and their secret games that engendered Dean’s sexual confusion in Hollywood; Dean’s obsession with death; and the posthumous explosion of the legend. Through letters, diaries, tape-recorded conversations with the actor, and private remembrances by those closest to him, Gilmore constructs a never-before-seen portrait of the star.

Nothing More of This Land

Biographies & Memoirs

From award-winning journalist Joseph Lee, an exploration of Indigenous identity that builds on the author’s experiences and questions as an Aquinnah Wampanoag from Martha’s Vineyard.Growing up Aquinnah Wampanoag, Joseph Lee grappled with what it means to be an Indigenous person in the world today, especially as tribal land, culture, and community face new threats. Starting with the story of his own tribe, which is from the iconic Martha’s Vineyard, Lee tackles key questions around Indigenous identity and the stubborn legacy of colonialism.Lee weaves his own story—and that of his family—with conversations with Indigenous leaders, artists, and scholars from around the world about everything from culture and language to climate change and the politics of belonging. As he unpacks the meaning of Indigenous identity, Lee grants us a new understanding of our nation and what a better community might look like.

TOM WILKINSON BIOGRAPHY

Biographies & Memoirs

This complete biography delves into the extraordinary life and career of Tom Wilkinson, one of the most diverse and well-respected performers of our time. With an intimate look at the man behind the critically acclaimed performances, "Tom Wilkinson Biography" takes viewers from his modest upbringing in Yorkshire to his rise to international prominence. Wilkinson's narrative is one of great skill, constant commitment, and a strong love for acting. His early years, his life-changing theatrical experiences, and his smooth move into film and television, where his nuanced and powerful performances created an enduring impression, are all covered in this biography. Every facet of Wilkinson's life is comprehensively examined, ranging from his breakthrough performances in "In the Bedroom" and "Michael Clayton" to his influence on contemporary acting and his private life away from the spotlight. Click on the "BUY NOW BUTTON" for a copy.

Nieuchwytna cząstka. Niezwykła historia odkrycia bozonu Higgsa

Biographies & Memoirs

Jest to niezwykle ważna biografia giganta nauki, Petera Higgsa (19129–2024), laureata Nagrody Nobla, którego badania doprowadziły do odkrycia podstawowych elementów budowy materii i natury wszechświata oraz istotnych zmian we współczesnej fizyce.W lipcu 2012 roku wielką sensacją stało się potwierdzenie na podstawie badań w Wielkim Zderzaczu Hadronów w CERN w Genewie teorii Higgsa z lat 60. XX wieku, dotyczącej istnienia niemal nieskończenie małej cząstki, która została nazwana na cześć swego odkrywcy bozonem Higgsa. Tym samym rozwiązana została jedna z kluczowych zagadek fizyki i odkryto brakujący element w zrozumieniu, dlaczego cząstki mają masę.W następnym roku Higgs otrzymał Nagrodę Nobla w dziedzinie fizyki. Ta odkrywcza książka jest nie tyle biografią odkrywcy bozonu, ale także znakomicie śledzi rozwój fizyki XX wieku, od powstania teorii pola kwantowego do ukończenia „standardowego modelu” cząstek i sił oraz kluczowej roli idei Higgsa w tej ewolucji.Na podstawie swoich wieloletnich rozmów z Higgsem (postaci ogólnie tak nieuchwytnej, jak jego cząstka) i innymi Close wyjaśnia, jak odkrywca bozonu stał się jednym z najsłynniejszych naukowców na świecie. Pokazuje również, że naukowa konkurencja między ludźmi, instytucjami i państwami odegrała równie ważną rolę w rozsławieniu Noblisty, co jego praca. To znakomite studium zarówno naukowca, jak i jego epoki zmieni nasze rozumienie współczesnej fizyki.

TIME Inside the White House

Biographies & Memoirs

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is perhaps the world's most famous address, and it is no ordinary home as it is the address of the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States. It is both global command center and family sanctuary, steeped in rich history and the world's most public private home. From the West Wing and the Oval Office, where most of the business of governing the country happens, to the East Wing, which has become the center of power for the First Lady, the White House is a world unto itself, situated on 18 acres, with over 100 rooms, thousands of staffers, its systems and infrastructure, and some of the most complicated and intense security in the entire world.Now, in an all-new Special Edition, TIME Inside the White House: The History, Secrets and Style of the World's Most Famous Home, readers go inside the White House in words and photos and learn of the rich history of America's House. The first presidential couple to inhabit the house in 1800 - John and Abigail Adams - moved into a home with only six inhabitable rooms. But over the years and based on presidential whims and desires, the changing times, and just as America has grown and evolved, so has the White House. Packed with diagrams, photographs and stories that chart the history of this symbolic house, TIME Inside the White House is an exclusive invitation to view this house like never before.

Biographies & Memoirs Books