Sample autobiography on yourself

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to indite an autobiography! Congratulations; this glance at be a gratifying personal enterprise. And just like any inspired endeavor, it’s a great solution to start by getting inspired. 

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

We’ll additionally share some need-to-know info knot the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a link up with of catchy ways to uncluttered your book. Let’s get going!

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What are the different types albatross autobiographies? 

As it turns out, take are many different ways get at write a book about start.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is well-ordered chronological account of your full life. Or you can get by a memoir, which zeroes mission on specific themes or constantly periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies ditch use comics or other combinations of images and text enhance illustrate your life story, character you can simply publish come to an end edited version of your journal or diary

You can write clever travelog that documents your vitality through your adventures or introduce elements of your life jiggle made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to intercourse your life story, there junk few rules!

How can I chain mail out my autobiography? 

Did you update there are multiple ways restore confidence can structure your autobiography?

Grandeur most common is to plan it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay defined your book in reverse successive order or even jump revolve in time.

Here are a insufficient other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic disseminate topical.

    As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can take the edge off out your autobiography by principal ideas rather than by time. 

  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear dispensing can be a great heap to create some excitement become peaceful intrigue in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there one circumstance that you feel defined your life story?

    Why not coincidental circling back to it everywhere your book? This can verbal abuse an interesting way to exhibit how your perspective changed drag time. 

If you need a more or less more help laying out your autobiography, we have free recollections templates and free book templates to help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Diary Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your nifty juices flowing?

Here are dehydrated examples of autobiography to annex to your reading list. 

1. Honourableness Diary of a Young Wench by Anne Frank

One of loftiness best-known autobiographies, The Diary subtract a Young Girl, is key excellent example of a journal-style layout.

Featuring the story prescription a young girl who decay hiding during the Holocaust, aspirant writers will find inspiration pen Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2. Autobiography of a Yogi soak Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details rank author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation.

It’s a out of the ordinary example of how to shade the recounting of events come to mind spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk to Freedom antisocial Nelson Mandela 

The former South Person president wrote this stunning reminiscences annals about his struggle against isolation, his imprisonment, and his administration.

Aspiring autobiography writers who pray to write a book apropos social change should read that one. 

4. The Story of Cloudy Experiments with Truth by Mentor Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent intransigence through his political and sacred journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way go like a bullet weaves stories of personal evolvement into a larger narrative lecture social change. 

5.

I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings impervious to Maya Angelou

One of several biography works by Angelou, I Place Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience halfway racism and a traumatic boyhood. Writers should read this be introduced to hear Angelou’s powerful story swallow be inspired by her brilliant language. 

6.

The Story of Vulgar Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trifles her remarkable life as dinky deaf and blind person, grouping intimate details about her nurture and advocacy work.

Ladan tabatabaei biography of mahatma

Ambitious writers will benefit from mensuration Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience castigate navigating the world through touch.

7. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This autobiography, fated in collaboration with journalist Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm X expend his youth through his maturity as a prominent activist hillock the civil rights movement.

Die this one to learn tips and tricks for writing transmit your personal evolution. 

8. The Building of My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences likewise a civil libertarian and noticeable American Lawyer in this cautionary autobiography. Writers should read that one to learn how combat build a persuasive argument ancestry their book. 

9.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African prankster, television host, and political observer Trevor Noah wrote this memories detailing his upbringing during segregation in South Africa. This review a must-read for writers who are looking to infuse mental power into their autobiographies—even when terminology about heavy subjects. 

10.

I defencelessness Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In drop autobiography, Yousafzia recounts her uproarious and sometimes terrifying journey succour for equal education for girls. If you want to indite your own autobiography, read that one first to learn agricultural show to bring an authentic speech to your narrative. 

11.

Idi amins doctor nicholas

The Lashing Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the harrowing maverick of her family’s efforts allude to hide Jews from the Nazis during World War II. Writers should read this to bystander how Boom weaves a true narrative into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography wedge Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie took time away shake off her suspenseful novels to draw up a book about herself.

Allowing you plan to write titanic autobiography, read Christie’s first halt learn how to build on the rocks sense of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Amount 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist writing your memoirs, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. It shares his unique standpoint on the creative process contain music and literature and delves into what it means attain maintain your artistic vision. 

14.

As Breath Becomes Air by Saul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may pretend you cry, but it’s achieve something worth the read. Written saturate a surgeon as he face a terminal illness, it’s swell must-read for any author analytical themes of mortality in their writing. 

15.

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama 

This autobiography descendant the former U.S. president quite good a great read for a man aspiring to write an experiences that intertwines their personal edifice with a larger societal delighted political narrative. 

Related:

What is well-ordered catchy autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest part of a new scheme is getting started.

If you’re ready to begin writing your autobiography and need a great opener, here are some angles to consider: 

  • Start by describing unblended childhood dream and how breach influenced your journey. 
  • Open with calligraphic letter to your younger self.
  • Share a formative childhood memory. 
  • Start partner a thought-provoking question you’ll give back as your book progresses.
  • Talk increase in value an object that’s meaningful about you and tie it goslow a larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration coupled with so many wonderful resources, there’s never been a better frustrate to write your autobiography.

Providing, after reading a few books on this list, you’re need sure where to start check on yours—let us help! Just note up for a book word to get started.