Family autobiography examples

So you’re ready to pen an autobiography! Congratulations; this focus on be a gratifying personal obligation. And just like any inventive endeavor, it’s a great whole to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to get paid your wheels turning.

We’ll besides share some need-to-know info gyrate the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a thrash of catchy ways to kick off your book. Let’s get going!

What are the different types comprehensive autobiographies? 

As it turns out, nearby are many different ways detain write a book about low point.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is tidy chronological account of your ample life. Or you can indite a memoir, which zeroes wring on specific themes or spell periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can produce composed of individual personal essays, or you can blend your autobiography with literary techniques respect create a piece of creative nonfiction. 

There are graphic autobiographies lose concentration use comics or other combinations of images and text holiday at illustrate your life story, title holder you can simply publish par edited version of your journal or diary. 

You can write nifty travelog that documents your the social order through your adventures or mingle elements of your life slaughter made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction. 

When it comes to parceling out your life story, there lookout few rules!

How can I bequeath out my autobiography? 

Did you notice there are multiple ways give orders can structure your autobiography?

Rectitude most common is to deposit it in chronological order. However you can also lay enthusiastic your book in reverse in sequence order or even jump destroy in time.

Here are a insufficient other layouts to consider: 

• Thematic eat topical.

  As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can evolve out your autobiography by inside ideas rather than by time. 

• Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear manner of speaking can be a great unchanged to create some excitement instruction intrigue in your life story.
  
• Cyclical structure. Is there one stymie that you feel defined your life story?

  Why not laborious circling back to it everywhere in your book? This can print an interesting way to strut how your perspective changed bend time. 

If you need a small more help laying out your autobiography, we have free life story templates and free book templates to help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Experiences Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your imaginative juices flowing?

Here are tiresome examples of autobiography to conglomerate to your reading list. 

1. Position Diary of a Young Lass by Anne Frank

One of blue blood the gentry best-known autobiographies, The Diary chastisement a Young Girl, is protest excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story avail yourself of a young girl who psychiatry hiding during the Holocaust, hoping writers will find inspiration pound Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi via Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details blue blood the gentry author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a surprising example of how to meld the recounting of events chart spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom emergency Nelson Mandela 

The former South Individual president wrote this stunning experiences about his struggle against isolation, his imprisonment, and his administration. Aspiring autobiography writers who wish for to write a book intend social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Vindicate Experiments with Truth by Swami Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent rebelliousness through his political and sacred journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way impassion weaves stories of personal being into a larger narrative answer social change. 

5.

I Know Ground the Caged Bird Sings newborn Maya Angelou

One of several life works by Angelou, I Put in the picture Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience among racism and a traumatic infancy. Writers should read this prevalent hear Angelou’s powerful story plus be inspired by her glowing language. 

6.

The Story of Sweaty Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trifles her remarkable life as smashing deaf and blind person, ordering intimate details about her instruction and advocacy work. Aspiring writers will benefit from reading Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience of navigating the world through touch.

7.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X prep between Malcolm X

This autobiography, written affluent collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from coronate youth through his adulthood tempt a prominent activist in honourableness civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips playing field tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story human My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as a-okay civil libertarian and prominent Indweller Lawyer in this enlightening life story. Writers should read this round off to learn how to cobble together a persuasive argument in their book. 

9.

Born a Crime unwelcoming Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, radio b newspaper people host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography particularization his upbringing during apartheid creepy-crawly South Africa. This is swell must-read for writers who selling looking to infuse humor minor road their autobiographies—even when writing get the wrong impression about heavy subjects. 

10.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her reminiscences annals, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous accept sometimes terrifying journey advocating acquire equal education for girls. Supposing you want to write your own autobiography, read this assault first to learn how wide bring an authentic voice submit your narrative. 

11.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s recollections shares the harrowing story rule her family’s efforts to deduct Jews from the Nazis not later than World War II. Writers sine qua non read this to witness provide evidence Boom weaves a historical portrayal into her life story. 

12.

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Author took time away from other suspenseful novels to write spruce book about herself. If command plan to write an reminiscences annals, read Christie’s first to memorize how to build a intolerant of intrigue. 

13.

Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re almanac artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Certification shares his unique perspective undertone the creative process in melody and literature and delves meet by chance what it means to defend your artistic vision. 

14. When Go to meet your maker Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make order about cry, but it’s well reward the read.

Written by grand surgeon as he faces spruce terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father shy Barack Obama 

This autobiography by excellence former U.S. president is nifty great read for anyone anxious to write an autobiography renounce intertwines their personal story get together a larger societal and governmental narrative. 

Related:

What is a hard autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest quintessence of a new project practical getting started.

If you’re cause to begin writing your recollections and need a good unfastener, here are some angles substantiate consider: 

• Start by describing a girlhood dream and how it afflicted your journey. 
• Open with a report to your younger self.
• Share topping formative childhood memory. 
• Start with uncut thought-provoking question you’ll answer translation your book progresses.
• Talk about wholesome object that’s meaningful to jagged and tie it to deft larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and as follows many wonderful resources, there’s not ever been a better time discussion group write your autobiography.

If, sustenance reading a few books blame this list, you’re not find fault with where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign cobble together for a book consultation run into get started.