Booking Through Thursday: November 5

Booking Through Thursday Which do you prefer? Biographies written about someone? Or Autobiographies written by the actual person (and/or ghost-writer)?

Most of the time I prefer biographies written by the actual person – I just assume they are more accurate and truthful, especially if it's someone in the entertainment industry.

November 5th, 2009 in Booking Through Thursday
  • http://novelinsights.wordpress.com Novel Insights

    But surely ego then comes into it quite significantly…?

  • http://nerdyapplebottom.blogspot.com/ CW

    I think it depends on many things. One of which is subject matter. For example, I think I’d rather read a biography of Sarah Palin over her autobiography. (Not that I’d really care to read either.) But given her penchant for embellishing her role and impact, I imagine her version may actually be more fiction… šŸ˜‰
    I just read The Last Lion and am now reading True Compass so I may have more to add after I finish.

  • http://chaosisafriendofmine.typepad.com/chaos_is_a_friend_of_mine/ Rachel

    Yes, there is ego, but I can usually see past or ignore it.
    Good point CW, for politicians it would depend on a lot of factors. I’m not sure I could stomach a Palin biography no matter who wrote it. šŸ˜‰

  • http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/ pussreboots

    I don’t read many entertainment industry biographies or autobiographies. My post is here.