[January 17, 2016] When I retired from the U.S. Army back in 2014, I began reading more in-depth books that pushed my understanding of famous people. I was most interested with famous military men and biographies fulfilled that desire, but few could give me the real thinking of those men. What I didn’t realize at the time was that an autobiography would help me achieve that goal.
I believe that those who write their autobiography have a message to share, and that message can be exciting and insightful. The language used comes straight from the author and is thus more potent than other books written by people from a distance. I find it easier to tune into the thoughts and feelings of the author and it leads to a better understanding of why the author made decisions and achieved their successes.
Here are the books I’m currently reading in the year 2020:
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,Benjamin Franklin, P.F. Collier & Son Company, 1909.
- The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank, Doubleday & Company, 1952.
- Homage to Catalonia, George Orwell, Secker and Warburg (London), 1938.
- The Story of My Life, Helen Keller, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1903.
In my opinion, it’s essential to be a good citizen and to be a good leader. Among personal traits that make us better are understanding relevant history and understanding complex situations. It also means encouraging others to read. Reading helps us mentally develop to do just that. Enjoy!
I’m one who likes George Orwell. My introduction to his writings was in High School, just like most of us. I’ve read and re-read his books over the past few years and the “re-read” is the best because you get a chance to pick up on the nuances of his insights.
I agree Nick but most of us don’t have the time to read a book twice.
Orwell was great!! Love all his books since I was in Junior High School.
Yes! Thanks to Mrs. Mary Schelling, my 11th grade English teacher, who put me onto Orwell and how to understand his writings.
General Satterfield, another home run with this short article. I ordered Ben Franklin’s autobiography. I see it got great reviews. He is very famous so I imagine that I can gain some ideas about HOW he thinks and maybe that can help me too.
Great book. I read it in college a decade ago. Impressive. His philosophies (plural) are worthy but, in his own admission, those philosophies don’t always work.
Oops, sorry, I was writing about Gandhi. The other autobiographies I’ve read too. Anne Franks diaries, I read recently again (translation, of course). It’s a moving experience when you know how it all ends. That is one of the original reasons I picked the book up to begin with. I recommend that everyone, at some point in their lives, read the book.
Thanks Eric. I too read Anne Frank’s dairy and it is like looking into her mind. She was 13 when she went into hiding from the Nazis with her family. She kept a diary throughout her time in hiding, and after her death, her father, Otto, published it in 1947.
Excellent article and on point. I’m reading Gandhi’s autobiography now and it’s very insightful.
This is one of the books that I’ve recommended for students in my history class. Many find Gandhi to be one of the men they can easily understand and sympathize with. Thus, why I have it on my optional reading list. Most, of course, won’t read it but they are aware of the book and its value, nonetheless.
Mr. TJ. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing to overcome the PC/radical ideology out of our kids’ minds. The victim culture created by wayward leaders is disgusting. You are however a breath of fresh air. ????
Mohandas K. Gandhi, Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486245934?tag=s7621-20
Thanks Greg for the link to Gandhi’s book. You can find it cheaper elsewhere than on Amazon if you look.
Yes, good book. Worth the time to read it.
I see what you mean when you write that autobiographies give additional insight into the thinking of those famous, successful men who wrote them. I agree. But there is also a tendency to “overlook” the bad parts of their lives or where they failed.