autobiography story books

The 40+ Best Autobiographies Ever Written, Ranked By Readers

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There's something profoundly compelling about delving into the firsthand accounts of individuals who've shaped our world. The best autobiographies ever written afford us a unique glimpse into the minds and hearts of those who've lived extraordinary lives. Through their words, we're invited to experience their joys, sorrows, triumphs, and failures, bridging the gap between history and humanity in the most intimate way possible.

Among the countless stories that have been shared, The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela stand out as monumental. Anne Frank's diary offers a heart-wrenching perspective of life during the Holocaust that's both deeply personal and universally resonant. On the other hand, Mandela's autobiography tells a tale of resilience and dedication to justice that inspired a nation and the world. These works not only chronicle significant historical events but also serve as testaments to the indomitable spirit of their authors.

Compiling a list of the best autobiographies of all time was a labor of love for a group of book enthusiasts, passionate about bringing remarkable narratives to the forefront. After careful consideration, these selections were then presented to readers, who cast their votes, ensuring that the final list is reflective of stories that resonate deeply and inspire continuously. Cast your votes below to update these rankings.

The Diary of a Young Girl

• First Published : 1947
• Subjects : Netherlands in World War II, Otto Frank, World War II, Hannah Pik-Goslar, Sol Kimel

Angela's Ashes

• First Published : 1996-09-05
• Subjects : Frank McCourt

The Story of My Experiments with Truth

• First Published : 1927
• Subjects : Nonviolent resistance

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

• First Published : 1791
• Subjects : Philosophy, Pennsylvania, Education, World, Biography

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

• First Published : 1965
• Subjects : Security, African American, African American studies, Black, Islam

Long Walk to Freedom

• First Published : 1994
• Subjects : Human rights, World, Nelson Mandela, Politics, International relations

The Glass Castle

• First Published : 2005
• Subjects : Jeannette Walls, Maureen Walls, Rex Walls, Rose Mary Walls, Brian Walls

Open: An Autobiography

The Story of My Life

• Subjects : Special education, Helen Keller, Education, Women, Public policy

• First Published : 1955
• Subjects : Literary, Entertainment, Poland, Modern history, World War II

A Child Called "It"

• First Published : 1995-09-01
• Subjects : Dave Pelzer, California

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

• First Published : 1969
• Subjects : Literary, Arkansas, Women, United States of America, 20th century

Scar Tissue

• First Published : 2004-10-06
• Subjects : Music, Literature, United States of America

The Confessions of St. Augustine

• First Published : 0398
• Subjects : Augustine of Hippo

• First Published : 2011-11-21
• Subjects : Biography

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

• First Published : 1985

Girl, Interrupted

• First Published : 1993
• Subjects : Internal medicine, Medicine, Massachusetts

A Moveable Feast

• First Published : 1964-12
• Subjects : Literary, Literature, France, Classics, Ernest Hemingway

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

• First Published : 2000-10-03
• Subjects : Creative writing, Literary, Composition, Literature, Linguistics

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

Up From Slavery

• First Published : 1901

A Walk in the Woods

• First Published : 1998-05-04
• Subjects : Kindred Spirits, Sports, Travel, North America, Natural history

Running with Scissors

• Subjects : Literary, Homosexuality, Massachusetts, 20th century

The Civil War memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

• Subjects : United States of America, United States Army, History of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, History

Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia

Survival In Auschwitz

• First Published : 1956
• Subjects : Literary, Poland, Judaism, Italy, Modern history

Life: Keith Richards

• First Published : 2010

Lady Sings the Blues

My Left Foot

• Subjects : Christy Brown

The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly

• First Published : 1997-03-06
• Subjects : Locked-in syndrome, Quadriplegia, Jean-Dominique Bauby

Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

• First Published : 2007-11
• Subjects : Steve Martin

• First Published : 1952

Autobiography of a Yogi

• First Published : 1946
• Subjects : Autobiography, Memoir

Chronicles: Volume One

• First Published : 2004-10-05

The Crack-Up

• First Published : 1936
• Subjects : Literature, Classics, 20th century

The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge

When I Was a Little Boy by Erich Kastner

Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir

• First Published : 1999-08
• Subjects : Biography, Family, United States of America, United States Navy, Late 20th Century

The Day My Brain Exploded: A True Story

• Subjects : Fashion

Secrets of a Sparrow

• First Published : 2004-06-22
• Subjects : Family, United States of America, Late 20th Century, History of the United States, 1990s

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