Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with autobiographies

Smart women

pulled_levers — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:17 -0800

I'm interested in being inspired by smart women. What are your recommendations for blogs or autobiographies of strong-willed, independent and successful women? For most of my life (with the exception of my mother) I have looked up to the accomplishments of men. The vast majority of blogs that I have followed in the past have also been male-dominated.

As a result, a part of me has been long convinced of the idea that men are smarter than women. And my reasoning behind this is due to my belief that because women are so strongly influenced by their emotions and the need to find a long term mate that they devote the majority of their energy to attracting that mate (for ex: picking up the fashion magazine instead of the newspaper)

I know that this isn't correct for all women--I have encountered many strong and smart women but this bias still remains. As a young woman myself, I'd like to look for successful & note-worthy women to not only help change my perspective, but to also act as my role models.

I'm open to any suggestions, but I would prefer blogs or books by women who are either in their 20s or 30s (and are still alive) that address current events, politics, business, or art.

Thanks!

Interesting Biographies

netbros — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:37:22 -0800

I will have time for more reading in the coming months. What are the compelling biographies and autobiographies from recent years? I am in the U.S., but would also enjoy reading about interesting international bios (English language). Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Can you recommend a well-written figure skaters bio?

orange swan — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 09:19:53 -0800

Can you recommend a well-written figure skater's autobiography or biography? A lot of athlete bios are commerical drek, and are products rather than books, though there are some thoughtful and intelligent ones here and there. So, if anyone could steer me to one of the latter, I'd be profoundly grateful. I'm reading this as research for a writing project, not for pleasure, and am hoping to find something that is at least painless to read.

Great biographies?

pracowity — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 07:14:20 -0800

I want to read great biographies. Which are the best? I want scholarly biographies with reliable sources and footnotes. I am particular to creative people working in the arts or sciences. I don't much care for generals and kings, though a great biographer could change my mind. I want to learn about what they created, not just about where they lived and who they loved. But above all, I want great writing. If there are several biographies of a person, I want to know which are best.