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I just finished Hungry by Crystal Renn which I think every teenage girl in America should read, along with her parents, gym teacher, guidance counselor, doctor and potential boyfriends
I don't normally read biographies, particularly of those still alive, so I don't know if I'd call them "must reads" but I've recently read; "We'll Be Here For The Rest Of Our Lives", Paul Shaeffer's autobiography and "American By Choice" (I think that was the title) by Craig Ferguson. Both pretty good.
And while these are not full biographies I've just finished, "Man In White" about Mark Twain's last 3 1/2 years. Although our popular image of him is in the white suit, he started wearing that in 1906, 40 months before his death.
Just this week I read "LIghting Out For The Territory" (can't remember the exact title) about how Sam Clemens became "Mark Twain" in the period between 1861-1867.
I've pretty much been a "Mark Twain" fan for the last 30 years. He was the guy who pretty much invented the "American" novel, developed the "road story" as we know it and was one of the best known Americans of the 19th century. Not just in the sense that he was popular with a wide cross-section of Americans, but that he met and corresponded with just about anyone who was anyone. The number of famous people, in literature, theatre, politics, finance etc that he was close to is remarkable.
No wonder Time Magazine did a cover story on him a couple of years ago calling him "America's First Superstar". Check out either of the books and you'll be amazed.
'Maos Last Dancer' by Li Cunxin was an excellent read. It was so interesting to realize as I was reading Li's autobiography that the things he experienced (no indoor plumbing, not having the ability to chose ones career, meat is a luxuory only available once a year) happened in the 1970s. Somehow it blew my mind to realize that this is how so many people live their lives in an industrialized nation like China. It also puts an interesting spin on Chinese Olympic athletes. There really is no choice involved here.
The Burn Journals by Brent Runyan, about a depressed 14-year-old boy who douses himself w/ gasoline and sets himself on fire.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, about a hiker who becomes trapped by a falling rock which pins his arm and has to face survival in a hot desert canyon.
Dear Senator by Essie Mae Washington Williams, I normally am not a big fan of these types of biographies and I really don't care for the political bent at all, but I was very surprised--this was an excellent story by the hidden biracial daughter of Strom Thurmond. A very poignant yet almost incredible story that is about family but at the same times illustrates the profound division of class in this country.
I just started reading "Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female Pope" by Eleanor Herman and it seems pretty good so far.
My recommendation is decidedly pale, I'm sure, next to some of what has been suggested. I have never been a fan of George Washington ever since the canned, white-washed portrait I received of him in high school history classes, and, consequently, with so much great writing in the world by-passed any books about him.
However, as part of a project I was working on I read The Ascent of George Washington: the hidden genius of an American icon by John Ferling. It was a good reading experience, and went a long way to erasing the plaster saint image I had been stuck with for decades. I came away with a real appreciation, and even a liking, for a very human and very talented man. I would heartily recommend.
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