Biographies are not loved without a reason. They represent an insight into the author’s personal experience and emotions. People who have a lot of things that make their lives interesting enough for others to learn about often indulge in an effort of this sort.
You will often find people reading biographies on their mobile phones or other devices. It is something that sparks the debate on whether ebooks will replace printed books. You can see more about this debate on Tagari.
Now, let us talk about the top biographies of the past decade. Maybe you will find some interesting ideas on what to read next.
1. Edward Snowden – “Permanent Record”
- Published: 2019
- Key Themes: Surveillance, privacy, government overreach.
In “Permanent Record,” Edward Snowden, the best-known whistleblower, recounts his path from a younger intelligence officer to a dissident searching for refuge in Russia.
As a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), Snowden discloses the internal workings of the United States’ huge surveillance equipment, revealing how it operates beyond the restrictions of legality and ethics beneath the guise of national security.
In his book, Snowden raises essential questions about the balance between national protection and individual rights, making his book a vital read for understanding the digital age’s challenges.
Despite the price, Snowden stayed committed to the standards of transparency and duty, urging residents and governments alike to consider the long-term impacts of surveillance on freedom and human rights.
2. Chidanand Rajghatta – “Gauri Lankesh and the Age of Unreason”
- Published: 2018
- Key Themes: Activism, freedom of speech, political extremism.
This biography goes into the info of the life and premature demise of Gauri Lankesh, a journalist and activist who has become an image of resistance in India.
Rajghatta, a veteran journalist and Lankesh’s former husband paints a bright picture of her as a fearless advise for secularism and democracy, whose murder sparked a nationwide verbal exchange about freedom of expression and the rise of extremism.
He shares his insight on the social and political unrest in India. Not only that, but he warns about the dangers of the gap closing on secularism and liberal discourse.
The idea of his book was to point out the price people need to pay to stay true to themselves in a highly divided world that shows no sign of recollection any time soon.
3. Alan Rusbridger – “Play It Again: An Amateur Against The Impossible”
- Published: 2013
- Key Themes: Journalism, music, personal challenge.
Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of The Guardian, wrote a memoir where he intertwines his journalistic profession with his love for piano. Amidst navigating the tumultuous global news and the groundbreaking testimonies of Wikileaks and getting in touch with hacking scandals,
Rusbridger units himself the seemingly not possible assignment of mastering Chopin’s Ballade No.1.
Another prominent point he raises is the issue of time management and why is it crucial to be able to master it completely.
Furthermore, he speaks about the significance of accomplishing simple matters in life, which are typically the ones that carry the most pleasure to the human being.
4. Pankaj Mishra – “An End to Suffering: The Buddha in the World”
- Published: 2013
- Key Themes: Buddhism, modernity, intellectual journey.
Pankaj Mishra’s book is a profound exploration of Buddhism’s relevance in the modern world. He advocates for the core Buddhist principles and how they can resolve many issues currently occurring in the world.
Weaving collectively personal narrative, travelogue, and highbrow records, Mishra begins an adventure to recognize his appeal to Buddhism and its teachings.
The book emphasizes the significance of deep introspection and an examination of ways philosophies, just like the one in Buddhism, can assist with today’s struggles.
5. Yanis Varoufakis – “Adults in the Room: My Battle with Europe’s Deep Establishment”
- Published: 2017
- Key Themes: Economics, European politics, financial crisis.
Yanis Varoufakis, former Finance Minister of Greece, offers an insider’s account of the European debt disaster and his battles with the EU’s financial installed order.
Varoufakis’s narrative is both a personal public memoir and a critique of the economic guidelines that brought about Greece’s economic turmoil.
His e-book gives helpful insights into the workings of European politics and the worldwide economic gadget, making it critical for all and sundry inquisitive about the expertise of the complexities of cutting-edge economics.
6. Paul Kalanithi – “When Breath Becomes Air”
- Published: 2016
- Key Themes: Mortality, medicine, meaning of life.
In this memoir, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi confronts his mortality after being identified with terminal cancer.
“When Breath Becomes Air” is a mirrored photograph of lifestyles, dying, and the manner of labor in the face of inevitable mortality.
Kalanithi’s eloquent prose and profound insights into human instances have made this e-book a poignant meditation on the beauty and fragility of existence. The book became offered in more than a million copies.
In a similar vein, renowned neurosurgeon Charlie Teo’s groundbreaking surgeries and compassionate approach to patients underscore the relentless pursuit of meaning and purpose in the medical field.
7. Anthony Shadid – “House of Stone”
- Published: 2012
- Key Themes: Heritage, conflict, Middle Eastern identity.
“House of Stone” is a memoir of Anthony Shadid, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, who goes back to repair his ancestral home in a struggle-torn Lebanon.
Through his lenses, Shadid explores topics of the historical past, identity, and the craving for domestic in a region where peace has ceased.
His lyrical prose and deep empathy for the Middle East offer a nuanced attitude to the complexities of belonging and the long-lasting impact of history on personal and collective identities.
8. Patti Smith – “Just Kids”
- Published: 2010
- Key Themes: Art, friendship, the 1970s New York art scene.
Patti Smith’s “Just Kids” is a memoir of her lifestyle with Robert Mapplethorpe in New York City at some stages in the 1960s and 1970s.
It is a tale of affection and survival, set in opposition with the backdrop of the city’s colorful and tumultuous artwork scene.
Smith’s evocative narrative captures the essence of an era and the transformative electricity of creativity and friendship. “Just Kids” isn’t best a tribute to Mapplethorpe but moreover a bright portrait of a time when artwork and culture were in flux.
The Bottom Line
Finding something interesting to read is always good news, and biographies are a good way to go.
Here, you can find the most interesting biographies written in the 2010s.
We are certain you will find this list of ours to be quite informative and insightful.
My name is Natasa Pantelic, and I work as a content editor in an IT company. By profession, I am a business administrator and a professional makeup artist. I enjoy taking care of my appearance and health through strength training, cardio, and a healthy diet. I also have a passion for music, socializing, adventures, and embracing new challenges.