Biographies and Memoirs
- You are here:
- HOME
- Books Management
- Biographies and Memoirs
Do the accounts of extraordinary peoples' lives inspire your own life? Can the fortitude of individuals drive how you live your own life? Our authors in the Biographies and Memoirs genre bring you the stories of people who have survived and grown through the most difficult of situations. Their stories will move you to tears, to action, and to new levels in your own life. They will always do this for you on eBookHounds for free or for a discount.
Definition of the "Biographies and Memoirs Genre": Ebooks in both the Biographies and Memoirs genres focus on the life experiences of a single person. Biographies are generally broader in the subject matters of a person's life experiences, while memoirs are more honed into the memories of that person. However, there is very little difference between the two categories, which is why they are combined in a single genre. Ebooks in the Biographies and Memoirs genre also typically have a significant element of inspiration, as the stories which drove the writing of these ebooks are tremendously moving.
Examples of bestselling ebooks in the Biographies and Memoirs genre are Cheryl Strayed (Wild), Chris Kyle (American Sniper), Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken), and Donna Mabry (Maude).
A Journey of Healing, Courage, and Compassion Through the Eyes of an Adoptee
What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak?
In The Adopted Nurse: A Memoir of Courage, Compassion, and Hope, Dr. Lisa Astalos Chism, a devoted nurse and adoptee, weaves together her personal story of love, loss, and self-discovery. From growing up with loving adoptive parents to reuniting with her birth father through DNA technology, Dr. Chism shares the emotional highs and devastating lows of her search for identity.
In this book, you will:
The Adopted Nurse reveals the profound impact of adoption, trauma, and healing on both personal and professional levels.
Embark on a transformative journey from El Salvador to the American Dream with Jose Luis Mejia in "Anecdotes and Ambition." Discover the untold story of resilience and ambition that defies borders and inspires hearts.
In this gripping narrative, Jose shares the hard-won wisdom from a life of entrepreneurial grit and corporate leadership, spanning continents and cultures.He brings decades of experience, offering invaluable insights into navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in business and life.
In this book, you will:
This book illuminates the path from humble beginnings to achieving the American Dream through resilience, ambition, and practical wisdom. Discover how one man's determination can inspire you to overcome any obstacle and achieve your own dreams. Grab a copy now!
Best Book of the Year
NPR • The Washington Post • Boston Globe• TIME • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Real Simple • Parade • Buzzfeed • Electric Literature • LitHub • BookRiot • PopSugar • Goop • Library Journal • BookBub • KCRW
• Finalist for the National Book Award
• One of the New York Times Notable Books of the Year
• One of the New York Times Best Historical Fiction of the Year
• Instant New York Times Bestseller
A singular and stunning debut novel about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.
Isaiah was Samuel's and Samuel was Isaiah's. That was the way it was since the beginning, and the way it was to be until the end. In the barn they tended to the animals, but also to each other, transforming the hollowed-out shed into a place of human refuge, a source of intimacy and hope in a world ruled by vicious masters. But when an older man—a fellow slave—seeks to gain favor by preaching the master's gospel on the plantation, the enslaved begin to turn on their own. Isaiah and Samuel's love, which was once so simple, is seen as sinful and a clear danger to the plantation's harmony.
With a lyricism reminiscent of Toni Morrison, Robert Jones, Jr., fiercely summons the voices of slaver and enslaved alike, from Isaiah and Samuel to the calculating slave master to the long line of women that surround them, women who have carried the soul of the plantation on their shoulders. As tensions build and the weight of centuries—of ancestors and future generations to come—culminates in a climactic reckoning, The Prophets fearlessly reveals the pain and suffering of inheritance, but is also shot through with hope, beauty, and truth, portraying the enormous, heroic power of love.
Have you ever lost someone so dear that their memory still shapes your life?
In My Little Brother, Maiko shares a poignant yet heartwarming journey through her early years with her beloved younger brother who passed away far too soon.
Through vivid recollections of their time together in a small community of a rural Japanese town, Maiko brings to life the joy and warmth of their shared childhood adventures. Her brother, despite his short life due to heart disease, left an indelible mark on everyone around him, especially his big sister.
My Little Brother is a touching memoir that celebrates the beauty of a brief but significant life and the enduring love that keeps memories alive. Join Maiko on a journey with her little brother, and rediscover the magic of childhood and the power of memory.
Get your copy of My Little Brother today!
In a time of war, they discovered peace.
When David Wright finds a label, a silver button and a lump of old leather in a chest in the attic, it opens up a window onto the true of joy of Christmas.
Jayne Sinclair, genealogical investigator, has just a few days to unravel the mystery and discover the truth of what happened on December 25, 1914.
Why did her client’s great grandfather keep these objects hidden for so long? What did they mean to him? And will they help bring the joy of Christmas to a young boy stuck in hospital?
This is the fifth Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery but it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone novel.
Let the Wildflowers Grow: One Mother's Journey through Adoption, Attachment and Borderline Personality Disorder is a beautiful story of mother-daughter love that turns to anguish in the challenges of mental health. It follows the poignant narrative of Brigitte Becker, who along with her husband and son, open their heart and home to a bright, beautiful ten-year-old from Ukraine named Anna, embarking together on a journey of adjusting this cherished young girl to the United States.
As mother and daughter bond in shared adventures, the family grows closer. However, signs of attachment and borderline personality disorders emerge in Anna, thrusting Brigitte, like any mother in this situation, into uncharted territory.
As Anna grapples with the challenge of regulating her emotions amidst the escalating battle with mental illness, nonetheless she is steadfast in her resolve to assert herself as an independent human being. Meanwhile, Brigitte seeks out every medical means of help possible. Driven by a fear of abandonment, Anna faces unstable emotional states that erupt in risky behavior.
In the quiet moments of reflection, as she gazes out at the wildflowers dancing in the breeze, Brigitte’s heart aches with the weight of her responses and decisions. But amidst the sadness, there’s determination, a resolve to let things happen naturally, that they will work out over time. Will they? Do they?
This riveting, reads-like-a-novel memoir, is for you if you are a parent of a child with mental illness and are looking for resources, support, and understanding of the unique challenges for adoptees and their families. Through her candid yet heart-wrenching writing, Brigitte gives you a real-life look into a mother’s path towards happiness and healing—as her daughter looks ahead, striving for independence amidst an uncertain future.
Life is nothing but a series of crossroads that continuously present us with one single existential question—where to next?
The Devil’s Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is known as the location of blues legend Robert Leroy Johnson’s bargain with the Devil, where Johnson sacrificed his soul to become the greatest bluesman the world has ever known. For Alexis Brunet, the famed crossroads became the source of inspiration for this literary work—a series of reflections on the many intersections that paved the way to where he stands today.
As mortal hitchhikers, these character-defining, life-altering crossroads remind us that we are in a permanent state of flux. Change is the only constant. At each junction, our human virtues and their alter egos battle for our attention and feed on our emotions, influencing our decisions in an eternal spectacle for the Divine. These choices shape us into who we are becoming. No one knows what it all means, but attendance is mandatory.
In The Devil’s Crossroads, Alexis explores his personal journey, considering it as unique as it is universal. He shares the many choices that have shaped him into the present-day musician, surfer, skateboarder, husband, father, and man he is today. He explores the idea that although our stories differ, they bring us together as we collectively try to give meaning to our existence while attempting to understand how and why we become who we are. To be human is to be a storyteller, and sharing our experiences forces us to reflect on the universal journey that defines our lives.
"This is like drinking tea and honey on a cold day."
FINALIST for the 2014 RONE AWARD
A True Romance Memoir
Love was then.
Love is now.
Love is forever.
When tragedy struck, I thought for sure that my own life was at an end. I was wrong. This is the true story of how two stray rescue cats and a woman named Kitty, whom I finally met after a wild ride of internet dating, brought love, romance, and laughter back into my life.
If you love reading feel-good memoirs, then don't miss THE THREE KITTIES THAT SAVED MY LIFE, where "Mike Meyer pens a tender tale of love, loss, and renewal. The depth of emotion is palpable...The Three Kitties will tug at readers' heartstrings, as they ride through the emotional highs and lows of Mike Meyer's remarkable story." - InD'tale Magazine
In the chilling depths of loss, hope flickers like a fragile flame. "Grieving With Grace: Embracing Hope and Wisdom Through a Family's Journey of Loss" tenderly chronicles Maureen Wierman's poignant odyssey as she and her family navigate the profound grief of losing their young son, Matt, to a rare leukemia. This memoir not only illuminates the immediate impact on marriage, family dynamics, and faith but also unveils the enduring resilience and unexpected lessons born from sorrow. Through Matt's story, discover how hope persists and healing finds its quiet path, offering solace to those who have walked similar roads.
In this book, you will:
"Grieving With Grace" is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to find grace amid heartache, resonating deeply with anyone touched by loss. Join Maureen Wierman as she opens her heart and shares a narrative of love, loss, and enduring hope.
An Unlikely and Not-So-Funny Path to Redemption
Does God call us to difficult paths in order to transform us?
When Ann said yes to bringing two young foster boys into her home, she had no idea what a long haul she was signing up for.
After two difficult pregnancies, Ann chooses to open her home to two foster boys who eventually became eligible for adoption. Raising them alongside her biological children, their paths become conjoined forever—riddled with constant behavior issues from one and health issues for the other.
Suddenly at age 27, the oldest son needs to return home after suffering a catastrophic brain injury. Ann becomes his caretaker and is faced with the hardest questions in her life.
She throws up desperate pleas, unsure if the God she has believed in her whole life will hear her. In the process, love changes everything, and she comes face to face with the younger prodigal son who swore her out of his life.
When all her life plans come suddenly to a halt, will God find her in the mire?
A journey rich in growth, truth, and forgiveness with a dab of humor, this compelling story will leave readers with a tear in their eye and hope in their heart.
Charlene Pell wears her scars like badges of honor—she has never hidden them.
Thirty years ago, on a sunny afternoon, Charlene was on a private flight to Cat Island, Bahamas, when the unthinkable happened: the plane, piloted by her fiancé, experienced a mechanical problem and crashed in a fiery inferno. When Charlene awoke, she discovered that 64 percent of her body had been burned, and her fiancé had died.
In This Altered Body is the compelling story of Charlene’s physical and emotional odyssey to reclaim her life and identity after surviving a tragedy that left her facially disfigured and grieving. As Charlene begins the long, painful process of recovery, she fears she will never be loved again, because her outward beauty has been destroyed and our society, obsessed with flawless skin and superficial beauty, stigmatizes disfigurement. But through dogged determination, Charlene overcomes difficult obstacles both physical and emotional—and learns from the experiences of other burn survivors to never write off her dreams and to be open to possibilities . . . including love. Brimming with insight from a life of perseverance, In This Altered Body is a piercing memoir about tragic loss and the resilience of the human spirit.
Perfect for fans of Anthony Bourdain’s irreverent food-as-adventure writing, Misfit Chef chronicles award-winning chef Christopher J. DeStefano’s wild journey at his former restaurant Christopher’s Table, an acclaimed food shop on the North Shore of Boston.
One part memoir, one part cookbook—with a dash of late-night adventure—Misfit Chef celebrates both food and people. DeStefano tells it all, from his humble roots growing up in his grandparents’ small-town New England grocery store to leading culinary adventures through the streets of Paris. He recounts opening his dream restaurant, hosting wild parties with drag queens in his restaurant's kitchen, and escaping a catering job that literally went up in flames.
Each chapter of DeStefano’s story is complemented by gorgeous photographs and thirty-eight signature Christopher’s Table recipes, including roast pork tenderloin with poached plums, oven fried chicken, farmhouse gazpacho, and grilled peaches with mascarpone cream and crumbled amaretti. Misfit Chef celebrates the power of food and reminds us of how it can bind us to the very best bits of life.
“Weigel’s story is sure to energize and inspire you to live every day to the fullest.”
—Dean Karnazes, New York Times bestselling author of Ultramarathon Man
A powerful memoir about a dad navigating loss, fighting cancer, surviving, and thriving alongside the most important person in his life—his daughter.
Paul Weigel’s life always felt hard. Throughout his isolated childhood, with distant and detached parents, losing his college sweetheart in a horrible tragedy, and enduring the unexpected death of his father, Weigel spent his life in despair. It all just hurt.
Everything changed when his daughter was born.
From day one, Weigel and his daughter shared an incredible bond. She was a constant source of peace and inspiration to him, and he was determined to give her the love and security he’d never had. His life and the family that he’d dreamed about seemed to be finally getting on track—that is, until a devastating cancer diagnosis threatened that future.
But this time around, Weigel chose hope. If you believe in the impossible, he told himself, the incredible can come true. Using this mantra, Weigel pushed forward, determined to show his daughter true strength and power. Facing the ups and downs of his illness and treatment with courage, he trained for and completed an Ironman triathlon within six months of finishing chemotherapy, and he continued to be a dedicated father.
In Iron Dad, Weigel celebrates the unique bond between fathers and daughters and shares an inspiring story of finding and clinging to the joy in life, no matter the odds.
“Peter Turchin brings science to history. Some like it and some prefer their history plain. But everyone needs to pay attention to the well-informed, convincing and terrifying analysis in this book.” —Angus Deaton, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics
From the pioneering co-founder of cliodynamics, the groundbreaking new interdisciplinary science of history, a big-picture explanation for America's civil strife and its possible endgames
Peter Turchin, one of the most interesting social scientists of our age, has infused the study of history with approaches and insights from other fields for more than a quarter century. End Times is the culmination of his work to understand what causes political communities to cohere and what causes them to fall apart, as applied to the current turmoil within the United States.
Back in 2010, when Nature magazine asked leading scientists to provide a ten-year forecast, Turchin used his models to predict that America was in a spiral of social disintegration that would lead to a breakdown in the political order circa 2020. The years since have proved his prediction more and more accurate, and End Times reveals why.
The lessons of world history are clear, Turchin argues: When the equilibrium between ruling elites and the majority tips too far in favor of elites, political instability is all but inevitable. As income inequality surges and prosperity flows disproportionately into the hands of the elites, the common people suffer, and society-wide efforts to become an elite grow ever more frenzied. He calls this process the wealth pump; it’s a world of the damned and the saved. And since the number of such positions remains relatively fixed, the overproduction of elites inevitably leads to frustrated elite aspirants, who harness popular resentment to turn against the established order. Turchin’s models show that when this state has been reached, societies become locked in a death spiral it's very hard to exit.
In America, the wealth pump has been operating full blast for two generations. As cliodynamics shows us, our current cycle of elite overproduction and popular immiseration is far along the path to violent political rupture. That is only one possible end time, and the choice is up to us, but the hour grows late.
Alexandra Chan thinks she has life figured out until, in the Year of the Ram, the death of her father—her last parent—brings her to her knees, an event seemingly foretold in Chinese mythology.
A left-brained archaeologist and successful tiger daughter, Chan finds her logical approach to life utterly fails her in the face of this profound grief. Unable to find a way forward, she must either burn to ash or forge herself anew.
Slowly, painfully, wondrously, Chan discovers that her father and ancestors have left threads of renewal in the artifacts and stories of their lives. Through a long-lost interview conducted by Roosevelt’s Federal Writers’ Project, a basket of war letters written from the Burmese jungle, a box of photographs, her world travels, and a deepening relationship to her own art, the archaeologist and lifelong rationalist makes her greatest discovery to date: the healing power of enchantment.
In an epic story that travels from prerevolution China to the South under Jim Crow, from the Pacific theater of WWII to the black sands of Reynisfjara, Iceland, and beyond, Chan takes us on a universal journey to meaning in the wake of devastating loss, sharing the insights and tools that allowed her to rebuild her life and resurrect her spirit. Part memoir, part lyrical invitation to new ways of seeing and better ways of being in dark times, the book includes beautiful full-color original Chinese brush paintings by the author and fascinating vintage photographs of an unforgettable cast of characters. In the Garden Behind the Moon is a captivating family portrait and an urgent call to awaken to the magic and wonder of daily life.
“An ideal introduction to that awful yet important page in our history, as well as a vivid and fast-paced refresher for those better acquainted with the past.” –Gregory J.W. Urwin, Professor of History at Temple University and author of Facing Fearful Odds: The Siege of Wake Island
September 1939. To fuel his hate-filled quest for global supremacy and an eternal Third Reich, German dictator Adolf Hitler orders a blitzkrieg attack against Poland, a gateway into the East where prized lands and economic resources await. A sea of tanks and troops storm across the border, prompting Polish allies Britain and France to declare war on Nazi Germany. The conflict soon widens, consuming the European continent and beyond. In late 1941, Japanese forces strike American naval forces at Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into a blistering Pacific brawl. For the second time in the twentieth century, the world is at war, and the consequences will prove devastating, pushing humankind to the brink of utter catastrophe.
The Fight of Their Lives: A 21st Century Primer on World War II is a riveting account of the peril and resiliency that marked the darkest chapter in human history. From blood-soaked clashes across farm fields and jungle islands, to the code rooms and factory floors that powered the Allies to final victory, the fast-paced narrative fully documents the epic struggle that claimed at least sixty million lives. Styled to appeal to all audiences, The Fight of Their Lives is a timely read, from the legacies that remain supremely relevant today, to the lessons humanity cannot afford to learn again.
STARLIGHT IN THE DAWN: The Poetic Priestess Who Chose to Fight
Step into the banks of the ancient Euphrates around 2300 BCE.
A high priestess' epic struggle for power in the men's world of ancient Sumer. At the dawn of civilization, the beautiful daughter of Sargon the Great and the High priestess of the Sumerian city of Ur confronts the intrigue of politics. She leaves the ivory tower of the priesthood and rises to unforeseen challenges. Intimidated when alone, she faces down and disgraces the king not fearing the stakes. The event has its consequence. This is a gripping story of Enheduanna, the first literary person of ancient history. She was of a stellar reputation for centuries. Her story is based on her words.
Editorial Reviews
"Loved it. This is an engaging novel with good characters set in a unique time period. Recommended for anyone who loves ancient history. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a tale of a strong woman in a historical setting new to them." Linda Ulleseit, Reedsy discovery
"A powerful story of social change, with several key characters coming together to change their destinies, relationships, and future...the clash between religious and political forces and the evolution of characters in a story replete with action, psychological transformation, and challenges to belief systems alike... engrossing and filled with different kinds of insights, with romance added to the backdrop.... based on the first literary author on record. Readers will find the story hard to put down." Diane Donovan, Donovan'sLiterary Services/Midwest Review
A thriller and dramatic epic from one of the cradles of civilization, an ambitious and symbolic novel...impressively well researched and realized, and this richly imagined past feels immediate and authentic. Starlight in the Dawn, a stellar work of historical fiction" Self-Publishing Review
"A solid introduction to the ancient world under Sargon, STARLIGHT IN THE DAWN will leave most casual novel-readers and historical-fiction aficionados wanting more." Indie Reader Review
" 'Fate and faith are like friends who fail.'
Sridhar's narrative is driven by compelling world-building and character development. The author demonstrates his strong knowledge of history spanning multiple cultures. It is an educating and entertaining read. RECOMMENDED.
Sridhar's Candlelight in a Storm was the 2018 Eric Howard Book Award da Vinci Eye finalist" US Review of Books.
"The astounding amount of research the author did is simply amazing - to be able to recreate a history of a time period that little is known about and to build a world that is believable, entertaining with fully fleshed-out characters, and educational to boot is worth a round of applause...this is an engrossing insightful tale, full of texture on a heightened scale, a spiritual plane, as the reader hovers over the words and finds a connection across time and space. This is a book for true historical aficionados and is not a read-in-one-sitting type of book, as it is necessary to let some of the discussions between characters and the activities soak in for a bit so you can understand the depth of what is going on on the surface and behind the scenes." Historical Fiction Company.
Six months after the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Charles “Muggins” Sommers was drafted into the US Army. Shipping out for England in 1943, he suggested to his wife they begin numbering their correspondence. By the time he arrived home, he had sent around five hundred letters filled with insightful and moving snapshots of the life of a U.S. soldier in England during the war.
Susan Sommers Thurman’s WWII Letters from England chronicles the true stories of Burtonwood—the joint US-UK facility and then the largest military airbase in the UK. In this book, you’ll learn about everyday life in the military for a noncombat solider during the war, as told by a soldier who spent almost three years stationed at Burtonwood.
Discover a fascinating snapshot of history. Get WWII Letters from England today!
“A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind.”
— Daisaku Ikeda
Papa the Popular Printer is an extraordinary nonfiction story about protagonist James Henry Forniss. He amazingly evolves from a young man as a shoe shiner, to become a successful Professional Printer. Akin to today's “IT” Information Technologist. His ingenious transformation was rare for a colored man especially in the south during the post slavery 20th Century era.
This true story depicts challenges Colored people faced to overcome racial barriers to advance in America in the early 1900’s. Children will learn about “The Power of One”! and how one determined youth with strong faith, confidence and courage to “never give up” transformed his life and many others.
JH became a Community Activist whose influence dramatically enhanced the development of his hometown, Uniontown, Alabama.
In this book, you will learn:
Papa The Popular Printer delves into history and explores the challenges that colored individuals navigated during the post-slavery era. Discover the essence of strong faith, courage, and confidence. Join the movement of change and get a copy now!
He is the last person to touch them before they die.
His face is the last they see before they are executed.
He stands there with one last goal: to get them to heaven.
276 TIMES CHAPLAIN Jim Brazzil has sat in death’s waiting room. He has listened to confessions in the eleventh hour. The last moment of the condemned, when everything bubbles up to the surface and they have to share.
Now Jim is the one dying, ready for his last confession.
THE AWARD-WINNING Swedish journalist Carina Bergfeldt and the American prison pastor start a conversation that ends up changing both their lives. He is older, patient, and wise. She is young, restless, and angry.
IN HIS HOUSE in the Texan countryside, their discussions about death and sorrow, hope, atonement, and love create a magical journey.
How are we supposed to live our lives?
Can one always be forgiving?
And what day is actually a good day to die?
Praise:
”Brilliant, Bergfeldt! … Touching, uplifting, and awful at the same time.”
"A book to bury yourself in. Whether or not you have a strong faith, it is healing to take part in their conversation."
”A touching and disturbing book, but also an experience. Maybe even an awakening.”
