Have you read a(n) biography/autobiography that changed your perspective about someone?

[Dee Dee]

Often after reading a biography or an autobiography I tend to find more in common "with them" than different "from them."

[Marinda]

I read a biography of Abraham Lincoln off my great-grandmother's bookshelf that was missing the first 9 or 27 pages or so.
I missed a piece of his childhood, but learned a lot about Lincoln and garnered a great respect for him.
I think it was from that book that I learned about the death tour his body made after the assassination; then again, maybe not.

[Kira]

Not recently, but the Daniel Radcliffe: The Biographymentioned in the genre study might, it sounded interesting. That may be my Harry Potter love come out though :)

[Dee Dee]

Marinda wrote: "I read a biography of Abraham Lincoln off my great-grandmother's bookshelf that was missing the first 9 or 27 pages or so.
I missed a piece of his childhood, but learned a lot about Lincoln and ga..."

Marinda, isn't it amazing how interesting a biography can be. We really do learn a lot and make judgments based on the info they contain.

[Dee Dee]

Kira wrote: "Not recently, but the Daniel Radcliffe: The Biographymentioned in the genre study might, it sounded interesting. That may be my Harry Potter love come out though :)"

Kira, I thought the book Daniel Radcliffe: The Biography was interesting but I don't know, maybe a Harry Potter fan probably already knows this info.

[Ashley Baker]

I was surprised by Amy Poehler's book as she seems more crass in real life than I imagined. I thought it was funny but I skipped some parts as it was TMI at times. Some things I just don't want to know! And saying that reminds me of Lena Dunham's Not That Kind of Girl. I skimmed though a lot in that one. But I guess I should have known she would overshare (if that's even a word) :)

I think there is a fine line when it comes to memoirs/biographies. I guess its just personal preference or the job of a good editor!

[Kira]

You may have a point Deidra, but I probably won't mind :) Alan Alda's memoirs might be interesting as well. Any one read any of his books? If so, are they funny and well written?

[Dee Dee]

Ashley wrote: "I was surprised by Amy Poehler's book as she seems more crass in real life than I imagined. I thought it was funny but I skipped some parts as it was TMI at times. Some things I just don't want to ..."

Ashley, I think you're right about TMI at times. It seems to be a trend!

[Kira]

I agree. Someone mentioned that at the training and that's definitely a turn off for me. Are there any other authors that are a little TMI that you wouldn't necessarily recommend?

[Stephanie]

I read Dick Van Dyke's autobiography several months ago and was really disappointed. He had an affair with his agent's secretary and justifies it by saying that he didn't know what was happening to him. As I wrote in my review, cheating on your spouse doesn't just "happen" to you. I'm afraid it's kind of tainted his stuff for me now.

[Ashley Baker]

Stephanie, isn't that sad when that happens? And I love Dick Van Dyke!

On a positive note, I had a friend recommend A Little Bit Wicked by Kristin Chenoweth, which I read several years ago. I didn't really want to read it because I always thought she was kind of annoying, but I did and really liked it. She has a cute sense of humor. She was also frank about all the make up and hair extensions and stuff that is added to make celebrities look so good, and that was fun to read. Ever since then Ive really enjoyed seeing her in movies and wish I could see her on Broadway!

[Marinda]

I just finished a kids biography Ben Carson. This is the second book I've read by or about Ben Carson and I learn something new in every book. In this book I learned about the 14 year old hemispherectomy patient that died, the conjoined twins from Africa that died during separation, and that the plastic surgeons on the separation team would grind up the children's skulls and paste the skull onto mesh to protect their new heads as their skulls healed. It is emotionally charged and medically fascinating.