Top Five Most Famous Autobiographies

Autobiography is actually the account of one’s life history made by his/her own self. Reading autobiography is an exciting and mind-blowing way to learn about the lives of other. Particularly, autobiography of those who have/had made history through their leadership or by devoting their whole life in the way of a particular cause can have remarkable impact on our lives too. Here is a list of Top Five Most Famous Autobiographies.

1. Mein Kampf

Mein Kampf (My Struggle or My Battle in English) is an autobiography of German Chancellor and founder of Nazi Party Adolf Hitler. Comprised of two Volumes, this book combines elements of biography with an exposition of political ideology of the author. Volume I of the book was released in 1925 and the second one in the very next year. The stubbornness and cruelty of one of the world’s worst leaders towards the poor is reflected in his words he has written in the book, he says “the destruction of weak and sick is more humane than their protection.” Moreover, he also expressed his hatred for communism and Judaism in Mein Kampf.

2. The Story of My Experiments with Truth

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a great moral and political leader of Indian Nationalism in British India who led India to liberty. He showcased a major portion of his life- from early childhood through to 1921- in his autobiography entitled The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Written in weekly installments, the book appeared as a series in his journal Navjivan from 1825-1929. The Story of My Experiments with Truth was ranked as one of the “100 Best Spiritual Books of the 20th Century” in the year 1999.

3. Freedom in Exile

Released in 1991, the renowned autobiography described the life of the Buddhist spiritual mentor Tenzin Gyatso, who is 14th and current Dalai Lama. It is the second autobiography, with My Life My People being first. Famous for his lifelong support and advocacy for Tibetans inside as well as outside Tibet, 14^th Dalai Lama has also won the Nobel Peace Prize. Besides sharing his post-exile experiences of life, he bluntly slams Communism in Tibet in his second memoirs. Freedom in Exile takes third slot on our list of top five most famous autobiographies.

4. Toward Freedom

First published by The Bodley Head is 1936, Toward Freedom is a memoirs of first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru he wrote during imprisonment. In his work, Nehru describes history of his ancestors’ migration to Kashmir, and his life-history with a special emphasis on the struggle of freedom from British rule and reforming India into a modern society.

5. Long Walk to Freedom

The autobiography of African preeminent leader Nelson Mandela, who spent much of his life in fighting against racial oppression in South Africa, Long Walk to Freedom is last on the list of top five mot famous autobiographies. In his work, he describes his early life as an impecunious student and law-clerk in Johannesburg. Moreover, he also tells of his dawdling political awakening, of his key role in the revival of an inactive ANC and the establishment of its Youth League in the 1950s. Furthermore, he has also recounted the surprisingly eventful 27 years in prison negotiations that led to his freedom in his autobiography.

Top Five Most Famous Autobiographies