The Biography Book: A Reader’s Guide to Nonfiction, Fictional, and Film Biographies of More Than 500 of the Most Fascinating In

From Marilyn to Mussolini, people captivate people. A&E’s Biography, best-selling autobiographies, and biographical novels testify to the popularity of the genre. But where does one begin? Collected here are descriptions and evaluations of over 10,000 biographical works, including books of fact and fiction, biographies for young readers, and documentaries and movies, all based on the lives of over 500 historical figures from scientists and writers, to political and military leaders, to artists and musicians.

Each entry includes a brief profile, autobiographical and primary sources, and recommended works. Short reviews describe the pertinent biographical works and offer insight into the qualities and special features of each title, helping readers to find the best biographical material available on hundreds of fascinating individuals.

Daniel S. Burt has been a college literature professor at New York University and Wesleyan University for more than 20 years. He received his doctorate from New York University, specializing in the Victorian novel. Daniel Burt has taught courses on 19th- and 20th-century fiction, most recently in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at Wesleyan University. He is the author of What Historical Novel Do I Read Next?, a reader’s guide to nearly 7,000 historical novels, and The Literary 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Novelists, Playwrights, and Poets of All Time.