The appeal of Autobiographies

There has and always will be an interest in and market for the stories of people who have gained some measure of fame in life. It really is a part of human nature to have an interest in learning about how someone you know about because of whatever noteriety they have achieved, actually got to that place where people started to recognize them and follow their story. Some of the more interesting recent memoirs that have caught the attention of many involve people such as rock legend Eric Clapton, writer Hunter S. Thompson, former president William Jefferson Clinton, and the fine actor, Sidney Poitier. If you haven't already you should consider an autobiography section for your own home library.

"My Life", the title of Bill Clinton's autobiography follows his path from his days as a young lad growing up in Arkansas, all the way to his eight years as the leader of the free world. The publishers knew this book was going to be flying off the shelves at an unprecedented rate, because Bill Clinton is simply one of those people who whether someone likes him or not, everyone is interested in him. This is one of the reasons they were willing to give him a huge multi-million dollar advance for his work, and they were proven right. The book certainly did fly off the shelves, and it continues to sell well to this day.

"Measures Of A Man", the autobiography of the excellent African American film star, Sidney Poitier, who enjoyed tremendous success in the motion picture world, documents the many struggles he had to work through because of his race, to accomplish them. It is a touching and inspiring memoir that has something in it for everyone to understand and perhaps, learn something from. 

Rock legend Eric Clapton titled his autobiography simply, "Clapton". Anyone who has had even an inkling into any of the stories that have come out concerning this legendary rock star over the years is going to be waiting at the bookstore door for it to open so they can get the whole story straight from the horses's mouth. And what a story it is, that's for certain.

Hunter S. Thompson simply seemed to always be in print somewhere during his writing career which spanned close to a half a century. Whether it was his books such as "Hells Angels", or his magazine pieces in the leading ones of the day, it always seemed he was there; entertaining, informing, provoking thought and providing a respite from the everyday turmoils of the real world for just a bit. In "The Proud Highway", one can get to know and see so much more about this fascinating man.

Autobiographies are so interesting and enjoyable, because they give the reader an opening into the heart, mind and soul of someone they have some interest in, and help them to understand exactly what path that individual took to get to the place they did in life.