Happy Biographers Day! What's the best biography you've ever read?

I was very pleasantly surprised by Katharine Graham's autobiography, Personal History.

I honestly didn't know much of anything about her before reading the book, and can't even remember what prompted me to read it in the first place, but I found it to be an extremely interesting read... If you are interested in The Washington Post, Watergate, mental illness, affairs, and/or politics, I highly recommend it.

Ted Williams by Leigh Montville, Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig and John Adams (really anything by) David McCullough

"Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know" - Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Great autobiography, cannot recommend highly enough, this guy is a legend. (amputated his own frost-bitten fingers at home, kicked out of the SAS, ran 7 marathons, in seven days, on all seven continents (only a few months after a heart attack)....oh and you know, solo'd across Antarctica and the Arctic and stuff!!

"View from the Summit" - Sir Edmund Hillary

"South - The endurance Expedition" - Ernest Shackleton. I know it's not a full biography - but comes close.

"In the water they can't see you cry" - Amanda Ray Beard - read start to finish in one sitting, enthralling and inspiring.

"Paddy Mayne" - By Hamish Ross. - Major in the 1st regiment SAS.

Have you read "I Only Roast the Ones I Love" by Jeffrey Ross?  Both a "how-to" book and a biography of him as a roastmaster.  I loved it

This is my favorite and go to book for inspiration!  

Boy Racer by Mark Cavendish is high on my list right now.  Just because I love him and he says things that others would love too, but don't.  His ego makes me smile! 

I haven't read many...  But the ones on Lance Armstrong are enjoyable.

And I heard good things about Mark Cavendish's book.

Thanks - I'll check it out!

OMG thanks for the reminder. I was told this was absolutely amazing. 

Most of Hunter S. Thompson's books where autobiographies in a way, just small portions of his life.

Richard Feynman's books were also somewhat autobiographical.

Other than these two, I really never had enough interest in anyone to read about their life.

ETA: Many of Bill Bryson's books also fall into this sort of category.... I enjoyed them...

I just finished Chrissie Wellington's autobiography, and while she is far more talented at triathlon than at writing, I enjoyed the book and found it provided the expected amount of inspiration and entertainment. 

I also enjoyed Lance Armstrong's biography that came out about 10 years ago, even though I think he's a db. 

I honestly cannot remember any other biographies that I've read that weren't about athletes. Guess I need to get a literary life. 

x2 what a great book