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Re: A "memoir" (formerly known as an "autobiography")
Although many people and even dictionaries treat the terms "memoir" and "autobiography" as synonymous, in the literary world they are seen as distinct genres. An autobiography provides a truthful and factual account of the life of the author, covering much of that life, with accurate dates and events, usually in chronological order.
A memoir looks only at a particular period or aspect of the author's life and explores the emotional truths surrounding that focal point.
An autobiography of Winston Churchill, for example, would begin with his childhood, cover his school years, his political career, etc., whereas a memoir might focus solely on his leadership during World War II and his recollection of certain events, with or without a factual timeline.
For more information see: [url]http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/how-to-write-an-autobiography.html[/url]
Although many people and even dictionaries treat the terms "memoir" and "autobiography" as synonymous, in the literary world they are seen as distinct genres. An autobiography provides a truthful and factual account of the life of the author, covering much of that life, with accurate dates and events, usually in chronological order.
A memoir looks only at a particular period or aspect of the author's life and explores the emotional truths surrounding that focal point.
An autobiography of Winston Churchill, for example, would begin with his childhood, cover his school years, his political career, etc., whereas a memoir might focus solely on his leadership during World War II and his recollection of certain events, with or without a factual timeline.
Nicely nuanced, thanks. In another vein, the genres are no longer so easily defined now, there's so many overlaps and interpretations. Many a memoir, esp by famous persons, is indeed an autobiography without the limiting definition. IOW, a memoir is often what you define, above, as an autobiography, but more and more these days not. Seems like every day on NPR I hear a review of a new memoir that's pretty specific in subject matter, about adventure or illness, etc. These seem to be the ones that are selling, when there's some unique slant to the subject matter.
Thanks. I didn't know the difference between "memoir" and "autobiography". Would love to read a memoir about Churchill during WWII.
Churchill wrote his memoirs, which will be easy to find in any decent library. Serious historians of World War II have concluded that he often fudged things in order to come out looking better. Of course that is a common thing among historical figures and not at all limited to Churchill. Eisenhower did also (Crusade in Europe is the Ike title if memory serves). It is also not a reason not to read Chruchill's own take on his role in WWII; rather just something to be aware of. One thing that is often under-played by all sorts of major commentators is the extent of the ill-feeling and resentment between the U.S. and Great Britain at the level of the military high commands, though not between Roosevelt and Churchill, who got along famously. Eisenhower had to knock heads together to enforce the cooperative aspects of the alliance.
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