Biographies on the influential & powerful w/ a focus on early life
January 31, 2013 9:32 AM Subscribe
My favorite kinds of biographies have political/military figures from classical antiquity or America, with a focus on their intellectual development. I really enjoyed Dreams from My Father and Plutarch's Lives because they really delve into the intellectual development of their subjects. Biographies that span someone's entire lifespan are fine, as long as early life is well covered. Any recommendations?
Best answer: Mary Renault's The Nature of Alexander is exactly this, big on Alexander's psychological development from childhood. Tinsy bit Freudian/dated now but still amazing.
posted by runincircles at 10:37 AM on January 31, 2013
posted by runincircles at 10:37 AM on January 31, 2013
David McCullough's Mornings on Horseback, on TR and his family.
Geoffrey Ward's Before the Trumpet, on FDR's childhood and youth.
I love both of these, but especially Ward's!
posted by jgirl at 12:23 PM on January 31, 2013
Geoffrey Ward's Before the Trumpet, on FDR's childhood and youth.
I love both of these, but especially Ward's!
posted by jgirl at 12:23 PM on January 31, 2013
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posted by BibiRose at 10:06 AM on January 31, 2013