Written by Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs dives into the trials and tribulations of the enigmatic co-founder of Apple. Jobs had a reputation as a somewhat difficult person, but Isaacson managed to complete 40 interviews with him.
Although most people know Jobs for his work on Apple products, Isaacson offers intimate details about the tech genius's personal life and desire to blend technology with art. Jobs gave the book his blessing, but he didn't insist on approving the content, so readers get a glimpse into how his flaws influenced his decision-making abilities.
Mattie Stepanek was born with an incurable mitochondrial disorder, but in his 13 short years, he published several volumes of poetry and an award-winning collection of peace essays. In Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs, his mother explains what drove him to spread a message of hope even as he was dying from a rare disorder.
Jeni Stepanek also shares what it was like when Mattie became an overnight celebrity. The biography is ideal for anyone coping with a serious health diagnosis or grieving the loss of a loved one, as it encourages readers to be hopeful in the face of major obstacles.
If you're a history buff, you can't go wrong with The Accidental President, a book covering the first 4 months of the Truman presidency. Within just a few months, Truman had to contend with the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the Potsdam conference, the liberation of Nazi concentration camps and dozens of other major events.
The biography opens with a timeline, making it easier for the reader to understand just how stressful it must have been to serve as president of the United States in 1945. Author A.J. Baime also offers details about the mundane aspects of fulfilling a presidential term, such as signing routine State Department letters and meeting with dignitaries.
As a member of the Vanderbilt family, Anderson Cooper was well-positioned to tell the story of John Jacob Astor, a German immigrant who rose to prominence due to his success in the fur trade. In Astor, Cooper and co-author Katherine Howe explain how Astor grew his empire with a combination of legal and illegal business activities. They also offer insight into how the Astor family's tragedies shaped their legacy, making this an interesting read.
Every time he appeared in public, Robin Williams took time to joke with his fans. He also delighted millions of audience members with comedies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Old Dogs and Flubber. But behind the raucous laughter, Williams struggled with severe depression. After his death in 2014, he was also diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive disease that causes muscle stiffness, tremors, loss of coordination and other symptoms.
Author Dave Itzkoff takes the reader through Williams's life, explaining how the late comedian incorporated self-doubt into his stand-up routines and movie characters. Grab this biography if you want to be inspired by a man who overcame many challenges during his storied career.
Arthur Schlesinger served as a special assistant to John F. Kennedy, making him uniquely qualified to tell the story of the Kennedy presidency. In this biography, Schlesinger provides vivid details about Kennedy's approach to domestic and foreign policy. The book also covers major events in American history, such as the Bay of Pigs, the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Even if you don't agree with every decision Kennedy made, you'll be inspired by his compassion and desire to help struggling Americans.
John Meacham won the Pulitzer Prize for Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, an interesting biography that aims to help readers understand one of the most complex presidents in American history. Although Jefferson could be somewhat petty, he also had a brilliant mind, which is why Meacham doesn't focus exclusively on his presidency. You'll learn more about Jefferson's interest in architecture, his role in the creation of the University of Virginia and his ability to motivate others to pursue even the loftiest goals.
Unstoppable tells the story of Siggi B. Wilzig, a Jewish man who survived multiple beatings by Nazi soldiers and then immigrated to the United States after his rescue. As a prisoner at Auschwitz, Wilzig stayed alive by pretending he could help Nazi officers run the camp. He nearly died several times, but he managed to survive until the Allies arrived. After his rescue, he hunted Nazis and eventually became the chief executive officer of a publicly traded company.
