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Best Autobiography Books You Should Read Atleast Once

Niharika (CK Book Critic)

September 25, 2023

Autobiographies are rare glimpses into the lives of individuals who’ve faced a variety of ups and downs and still made it to the finish line. Autobiographies are a great read if you’re looking for some life lessons to imbibe and grow.

Read on below to see our top pick of bestselling autobiographies that will surely inspire you.

Bestselling Autobiography Novels: 2019 Price and Ratings

1. The Diary Of A Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl is an extraordinary piece written by the thirteen-year-old girl, Anne Frank during her time of hiding in the Amsterdam attic from the Nazis. This classic and timeless testament to the human spirit is all about honesty, vulnerability and love. From her deepest secrets and her hungering affection for her liberation, normalcy, and romance, Anne writes a detailed account of the time with wisdom beyond her age.

Author: Anne Frank
Number Of Copies Sold: More than 30 million copies
Price: Rs.59
Rating: 4.4/5

2. Long Walk To Freedom

Long Walk To Freedom describes the journey of a legendary leader, Nelson Mandela. It talks about Mandela’s transition from a child into a freedom fighter and his twenty-seven years in the prison. The book is an excellent reflection of Mandela’s significant role in shaping up a new and democratic South Africa. From the struggles to reconcile his political activities to the breakup of his first marriage and painful separation from the kids, the book has covered every aspect of Mandela’s ‘Long Walk To Freedom’.

Author: Nelson Mandela
Number Of Copies Sold: More than 15 million copies
Price: Rs.635
Rating: 4.3/5

3. The Story Of My Experiments With Truth

Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography is a personal account of the extraordinary leader. It is a frank and humble account that highlights the life of the man who played a significant role in liberating India. Rooted in the historical background of Gandhi’s forty years in India, the book illustrates the early boyhood of Gandhi, his legal studies, purification and ultimately the salvation of his homeland.

Author: Mahatma Gandhi
Number Of Copies Sold: More than 15 million copies
Price: Rs.99
Rating: 4.5/5

4. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

A reflection of talent and resilience, Maya Angelou’s autobiography talks about her early life, struggles as a Black American and her undying hope to find joy and happiness. After staying at her grandmother’s where she learnt the power of the white folks, Maya returns to her mother at the age of eight where she is attacked by a man much older than her. She lives with its consequences for life until years later in San Francisco, where she understands that love, kindness and her own spirit are strong enough to free her.

Author: Maya Angelou
Number Of Copies Sold: More than a million copies
Price: Rs.519
Rating: 4.5/5

5. The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

Regarded as an outstanding spiritual classic, the autobiography of Malcolm X is an extraordinary story of his life, growth of the Black Muslim movement and the lies and limitations of the American Dream. The book pours out details from the time of poverty during Malcolm’s childhood, his criminal teenhood and finally, his emergence as a national figure and world leader. The pages constantly remind the readers about his turning point in life when he chose to convert to Islam.

Author: Malcolm X
Number Of Copies Sold: Six million copies as of 1977
Price: Rs.354
Rating: 4/5

6. A Moveable Feast

A Moveable Feast is a personal, warm, affectionate and witty memoir of the great American author and journalist, Ernest Hemingway. The autobiography recalls the time when he was struggling. While happily writing in cafés in Paris, he found his vocation. The book also describes Hemingway’s love interests, his first marriage, and his perspective on things around him.

Author: Ernest Hemingway
Number Of Copies Sold: 6,000 to 8,000 copies annually, 40,000 copes in December 2015
Price: Rs.280
Rating: 4.5/5

7. Dreams From My Father

Barack Obama’s autobiography is a lyrical, sentimental and powerful take on his life as a black American, born to a black African father and a white American mother. The book retraces the migration of his mother’s family from Kansas, his childhood in Indonesia, the truth about his father’s life from Kenya, racism faced and the love affairs witnessed. It exclusively reflects upon the personal experiences of Barack, one of the most powerful men in the world.

Author: Barack Obama
Number Of Copies Sold: Over a million copies
Price: Rs.339
Rating: 4.4/5

8. The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin

Written initially to guide his son, Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is a spellbinding account of one of America’s founding members and the most successful diplomat in American history. The book explains how youth rises into becoming one of the most admired men in the world. It also talks about Franklin’s belief in the American Dream, the possibility of life in the New World and highlights historical factors from the 18^th century.

Author: Benjamin Franklin
Price: Rs.99
Rating: 4.2/5

9. The Story Of My Life

The Story of My Life is Helen Keller’s account of her triumph over deafness and blindness and her devotion to helping others. Known as a symbol of courage, Keller was a woman of luminous intelligence, high ambition and great accomplishment. The book takes the reader on an unforgettable journey of Keller’s education and breakthroughs into the world of communication.

Author: Helen Keller
Number Of Copies Sold: 2.8 million digital copies sold in the US
Price: Rs.166
Rating: 4.3/5

10. Chronicles Vol.1

The first volume of the three-volume memoir of Bob Dylan’s autobiography is an intriguing book about one of the greatest musicians of all time. Chronicles Vol.1 takes us back to the 1960s when Dylan launched his career in New York and recorded his first few albums. The book unfolds Dylan’s motivations, frustration, struggle, and creativity in a remarkable manner.

Author: Bob Dylan
Number Of Copies Sold: 10 million copies
Price: Rs.359
Rating: 4.6/5

11. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography

The autobiography of Agatha Christie elaborates on the life journey of Agatha Christie, the best-selling thriller/mystery novelist in history. The book unravels the private life of the author, her early childhood and her experiences through two marriages and World Wars. It also gives an insight into the true genius of her legendary success written in fascinating scenes and captivating words.

Author: Agatha Christie
Price: Rs.218
Rating: 4.6/5

12. Open: An Autobiography

Open is an autobiography by one of the most beloved athletes in history, Andre Agassi. From being the most dashing man to the most gifted sportsman to ever step on the tennis court, Agassi’s tale describes his life account, confessions to controversies, love interests and his ‘hate’ for the game. Beautifully written, the book also illustrates dark humour.

Author: Andre Agassi
Number Of Copies Sold: 103,000 copies
Price: Rs.277
Rating: 4.7/5

13. On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft

Brilliantly structured with humour and dexterity, Stephen King’s autobiography is a part-memoir and part master class. The book reveals King’s personal life, his craft, experiences, struggles as a writer, rise to fame, and so much more. He even lends fruitful advice to aspiring writers through this book. Informative and enthralling, this one will keep you fascinated throughout.

Author: Stephen King
Number Of Copies Sold: 500,000 copies for the first print run
Price: Rs.465
Rating: 4.6/5

14. Autobiography Of Mark Twain

Written on his deathbed, Mark Twain’s autobiography gives an insight into the author’s massive talent, eruptive temperament and unpredictable actions. This classic smoothly narrates the tale of Mark Twain’s life and his experiences. Encounters with the expanding America of riverboat, gold rushes and the vast westward movement were the inspiration behind this unique American’s autobiography.

Author: Mark Twain, Charles Neider
Number Of Copies Sold: 275,000 copies for the first print run
Price: Rs.982
Rating: 4.2/5

15. I Am Ozzy

I Am Ozzy is the autobiography of Black Sabbath’s vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne. The book chronicles Ozzy’s transition from a young lad into a rockstar riddled with drugs, alcohol and near-death experiences, followed by the realisation of becoming a grandfather. The level of detail and humour incorporated in this novel are totally worth a read.

Author: Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Ayres 
Price: Rs.926
Rating: 4.8/5

16. Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf, the autobiography of Adolf Hitler provides a peek into the mind of this tyrant, popular political figure, and mass murderer. It also unravels the ‘other side’ of the man who changed the course of history. The book depicts his childhood, aspirations, conflicts, rise to politics and the hatred for Jews. The excellent insight into the maniacal ideologies and visions of Hitler are written with precision.

Author: Adolf Hitler
Number Of Copies Sold: 5.2 million copies in eleven languages as of 1939
Price: Rs.99
Rating: 4/5

17. Night

Night is the autobiography of Elie Wiesel who was sent to the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald with his father. The book records the boy’s memoir from the horrors and terrors he endured, the loss of his family and his struggles to survive through the darkest time while holding the power of hope. The Night is one of the most personal, intimate and poignant accounts of the Holocaust.

Author: Elie Wiesel
Number Of Copies Sold: 6 million copies in the US as of 2011
Price: Rs.274
Rating: 4.5/5

18. Becoming

Becoming is an intimate, powerful and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama. Michelle’s autobiography is an account of her life of meaning and accomplishment and her emergence as one of the most iconic and compelling women of this era. She also talks about her triumph and experiences as the first African American to serve the country in this position and how she managed her personal life and children alongside.

Author: Michelle Obama
Number Of Copies Sold: 10 million copies
Price: Rs.567
Rating: 4.5/5

19. I Am Malala

I Am Malala is a remarkable autobiography that tells the tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism and a girl’s fight for education. Written by a defiant young woman, the book describes in detail the journey of Malala, a Pakistani girl who stood up to the right to an education that nearly cost her, her life. It also showcases the journey of her undying spirit from the village of Swat Valley to the halls of United Nations in New York.

Author: Malala Yousafzai, Christina Lamb
Number Of Copies Sold: 2 million copies as of 2017
Price: Rs.276
Rating: 4.6/5

20. Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass’s autobiography presents his life as an activist and author. The book details this revolutionary reformer’s travels and multiple declarations of independence. Iconic, mythic and legendary, this volume also traces Douglass’ writing career and family life.

Author: Frederick Douglass
Number Of Copies Sold: 30,000 copies as of 1860
Price: Rs.250
Rating: 4/5