When I was a kid, I remember a series of biographies in the library, either in the kids or YA section. They were short biographies of American figures, and I'm sure I read all the ones with female subjects. Can anyone help identify this series? I'd love to have some of these books for my niece when she's old enough. [more inside]
posted by whitearrow on Oct 19, 2009 - 12 answers

Are there any stories of people notable/talented/successful in their field who started out being completely crap? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 5, 2009 - 32 answers

I will have time for more reading in the coming months. What are the compelling biographies and autobiographies from recent years? [more inside]
posted by netbros on Dec 17, 2008 - 18 answers

Any suggestions for online biography resources for 5th graders? My lovely teacher-wife's students will soon be doing research on various people in history. The students are a diverse crowd. [more inside]
posted by snsranch on Nov 26, 2007 - 3 answers

What are the best and most readable biographies of each American president? [more inside]
posted by fancypants on Oct 1, 2007 - 11 answers

I'd like to make an interesting and funny bio web page for the student employees in a college IT department. Can anyone suggest some funny questions to include in the bios? [more inside]
posted by yogurtisgenocide on Jul 27, 2006 - 11 answers

Can you recommend a well-written figure skater's autobiography or biography? [more inside]
posted by orange swan on Jan 2, 2006 - 4 answers

Has any one read any biographies of Napoleon that they would recommend? [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon on May 16, 2005 - 11 answers

I want to read great biographies. Which are the best? [more inside]
posted by pracowity on Apr 10, 2005 - 37 answers

BiograPhilter. While I eagerly await the publication of volume four of Robert A. Caro's 'The Years of Lyndon Johnson', what other biographies do I have to read of American presidents/politicians? Note: I'm not American, so I don't really care much for the founding fathers, or Abe Lincoln's constitutional worries etc. Also, no partizan bitch books or hagiographies, please. The wielding of raw power is what interests me most.

Good European biographies (De Gaulle, Talleyrand, Churchill) are welcomed as well.
posted by NekulturnY on Aug 22, 2004 - 22 answers

My wife likes reading biographies and memoires, particularly of women in culture and the arts. Think "Reading Lolita in Tehran" rather than, say, "Mornings on Horseback." Any recommendations for a birthday present?
posted by mojohand on Jul 26, 2004 - 17 answers

Are there good biopics about any of the jazz greats? Or movies focused on the jazz scene? I know there are a ton of documentaries, I'm interested in fictionalized, "shoot the legend" type stuff.
posted by lbergstr on Mar 3, 2004 - 11 answers