Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best of Nonfiction: Biography


Cover art for HOWARD COSELL
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 14, 2011

"The definitive word on a loved, loathed, maddeningly complex broadcasting legend."
You could make a case that Howard Cosell (1918–1995) was the single most important sports broadcaster ever. You would be right. Read full book review >
Cover art for TOLSTOY
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 9, 2011

"A rich, complex life told in rich, complex prose."
Cultural historian and translator Bartlett (Chekhov: Scenes from a Life, 2004, etc.) unravels the ornate and complicated tapestry of the life of the great Russian writer. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHARLES DICKENS
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 31, 2011

"Superbly organized, comprehensive and engrossing from start to finish—a strong contender for biography of the year."
Like Shakespeare, Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was an overachiever of genius, and his life was as eventful, dramatic and character-filled as any of his novels. Read full book review >
Cover art for LENNON
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 20, 2011

"Essential for Lennon fans, and one of the most thorough yet accessible rock biographies to appear in recent years."
After hundreds of books on the former Beatle, is there anything left to say? Read full book review >
Cover art for LOVE AND CAPITAL
NONFICTION
Released: Sept. 14, 2011

"A saga as richly realized as a fine Victorian novel."
Former Reuters journalist Gabriel (The Art of Acquiring: A Portrait of Etta and Claribel Cone, 2002, etc.) offers a rich, humanizing portrait of the Marx family. Read full book review >
Cover art for JANE FONDA
NONFICTION
Released: Aug. 30, 2011

"Reading to savor."
Distinguished celebrity biographer and Vanity Fair contributing editor Bosworth (Marlon Brando, 2001, etc.) recounts the life story of an American icon in all its heady--and at times, unabashedly scandalous--glory. Read full book review >