Story of my life...

[kainsworth]

I recently re-read a biography of one of my favorite historical designers, William Morris. The first time I read it, I was amazed at the influences that shaped his work, and the overarching theme that defined why he did what he did.

 

Biographies can sometimes tell much more than you expected to learn about someone. What's the most interesting biography you've read? Is there someone you'd like to read about? Have you ever written your memoirs?

[kainsworth]

Thank you Pickle. You'd be in it.

[funesthememorious]

A few years ago I read A Castro Reader. He is easily the most fascinating person alive. The revolution, prison, Batista, assassination attempts, Cuban Missile Crisis, flying around the world in a decrepit old plane meeting leaders such as Mandela, Khrushchev, Trudeau, Malcolm-X, Putin, Pope John Paul II.

He is also a brilliant and perceptive writer, having been involved in world politics for over 50 years and possessing a unique appreciation of the struggles of the poor and the downtrodden.

[P.A.]

Funes the righties are going to hang you if they read this. But mostly they stay in there little group so maybe you are safe.

[Maricel Evasco]

If I were to write my own memoir, I'd probably do it using snippets of meaningful experiences--the words I've actually used during an experience. I remember writing my college admission essay using snippet fragments instead of whole sentences. With the exception of my introduction and reflective conclusion, the whole of my essay was based on sentence fragments of life experiences. I think the admissions team liked it because I made it in. I made sure they found out a lot about me through reading between the lines.

One powerful memoir I've read and taught in class is Kaffir Boy, by Marl Mathabane. I love the chapter on passport to knowledge which speaks about the power of education in transforming lives.

[Rishi]

The childhood of Howard Hughes and how it shaped the rest of his life. His obsessive compulsive disorder was shaped by his mother's OCD and her relentless fear of germs.

[darroll]

Work, eat, sleep could get boring.
If I wrote about my friends, that could get a little racy.
Sometimes events in one’s (other’s) life is better forgotten.

[Suuse]

David McCullough's bio of John Adams was a fabulous read! Everything by McCullough is wonderful, for what it's worth.

A Rage To Live--about Sir Richard and Isabel Burton--is another favourite (written by Mary Lovell).

As for writing my memoirs? I think the plays and poems will suffice. Although it has, on more than one occasion, occurred to me to write my memoirs and see what people would pay me *not* to publish them. ;)

"My life, when it is written, will read better than it lived." - James Goldman, "A Lion In Winter"

[kainsworth]

I'm taking notes. Lots to put on my list. Oh, and I absolutely love Lion in Winter.

[Bull]

Kate have you heard about "Going Rouge" :>)

[CWO3ROBBIE]

Well, As it says on my "Old Guys Rule" Tee Shirts "The Older I Get, The Better I Was".

[kainsworth]

Yeah, I mostly read grown-up books.

[Suuse]

You'd make a lovely Eleanor. ;)