Summaries of books about Biographies:
Philomena
A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty-Year Search
Martin Sixsmith
The book recounts the true story of an Irish woman, Philomena Lee, who searches for her son Anthony after being forced to give him up for adoption by the nuns at the convent where she gave birth as a teenager. It follows her journey and the parallel life of her son, who grows up in the United States, becoming a successful lawyer and a gay man during the AIDS crisis, all while unaware of his mother's relentless quest to find him.
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The River of Doubt
Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Candice Millard
The book chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's perilous expedition through the Amazon rainforest following his failed bid for a third presidential term. It details the harrowing challenges faced by Roosevelt and his team as they navigated the uncharted River of Doubt, including treacherous terrain, disease, and near-death experiences.
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The Stranger in the Woods
The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Michael Finkel
The book chronicles the life of Christopher Knight, who lived in solitude for 27 years in the forests of Maine, surviving by his wits and occasional thefts from nearby cabins. It delves into his capture, the challenges of reintegration into society, and the philosophical questions about solitude and human nature that his story raises.
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Grandma Gatewood's Walk
The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Ben Montgomery
The book chronicles the journey of Emma Gatewood, a 67-year-old great-grandmother, who became the first woman to solo hike the entire 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955. It details her challenging trek, personal life, and the attention she brought to the trail's preservation through her determination and resilience.
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American Prometheus
The Inspiration for the Major Motion Picture OPPENHEIMER
Kai Bird|Martin J. Sherwin
The book is a comprehensive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who played a key role in the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. It delves into his scientific achievements, his complex personal life, and the political turmoil that led to his downfall during the Red Scare.
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The Lost City of Z
A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon
David Grann
The book chronicles the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who vanished while searching for an ancient, fabled civilization in the Amazon jungle. It also follows the author's own investigation into Fawcett's mysterious disappearance and the lethal allure of the uncharted Amazonian wilderness.
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On Wings of Eagles
The Inspiring True Story of One Man's Patriotic Spirit--and His Heroic Mission to Save His Countrymen
Ken Follett
The book recounts the true story of Ross Perot's 1979 mission to rescue two of his employees from an Iranian prison during the revolution. It details the daring and clandestine operation led by a retired Green Beret colonel, Arthur D. "Bull" Simons, highlighting themes of loyalty, patriotism, and courage.
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Notorious RBG
The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Irin Carmon|Shana Knizhnik
The book is a biographical tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, chronicling her trailblazing career and contributions to gender equality and justice. It combines personal anecdotes, interviews, illustrations, and archival photographs to paint a vivid portrait of Ginsburg's professional and personal life.
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Bonhoeffer
Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Eric Metaxas
The book chronicles the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor who actively opposed the Nazi regime, highlighting his role in the Confessing Church and his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler. It delves into his ethical and religious convictions, his writings, and his ultimate execution, portraying him as a courageous figure who combined faith and political action.
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Gifted Hands
The Ben Carson Story
Ben Carson
The book is an autobiography that chronicles the life of Dr. Ben Carson from his impoverished childhood in Detroit to his rise as a renowned neurosurgeon. It highlights his struggles with education, his mother's influence, and the pivotal surgeries that defined his career, emphasizing the role of faith and perseverance in overcoming obstacles.
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