Best Biographies of 2015

by Sasha Abramsky

If you finish this brilliantly realized book thinking you need to own more books, you’re to be forgiven. A wonderful... Full review >

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by Emily Bingham

Deeply researched, Bingham’s engrossing biography brings her glamorous, tormented ancestor vividly to life. Full review >

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by John Szwed

As with the best of Holiday’s music, this elegant and perceptive study is restrained, nuanced, and masterfully carried out. Full review >

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by H.W. Brands

An exemplary work of history that should bring Reagan a touch more respect in some regards but that removes the halo at the... Full review >

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by Leo Damrosch

General readers looking for a challenge will love this book and will dive into Blake’s work. Many will find him just too far... Full review >

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by Tracy Daugherty

A dogged biographer elicits from Didion’s life much more than tidy observations of “morality and culture.” Full review >

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by Christopher Dickey

A great book explaining the workings of what Dickey calls an erratic, cobbled-together coalition of ferociously independent... Full review >

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by David Gessner

Stegner and Abbey “are two who have lighted my way,” nature writer Wendell Berry admitted. They have lighted the way for... Full review >

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by Peter Guralnick

A wonderful story that brings us deep into that moment when America made race music its own and gave rise to the rock sound... Full review >

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by Rachel Holmes

A full-fleshed, thrilling portrait, troubling and full of family secrets. Full review >

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by Zachary Leader

Will now stand as the definitive Bellow biography. Full review >

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by Charles Leerhsen

Cobb was indeed a bruised peach but, as the author shows convincingly, not a thoroughly rotten one. Full review >

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by John Norris

Norris is plainly in love with his fascinating subject, which is not only McGrory, but newspaper journalism in general. Full review >

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by Jay Parini

A superbly personal biography that pulsates with intelligence, scholarship, and heart. Full review >

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by Mark Ribowsky

Excellent from start to finish, demanding a soundtrack of Stax hits as background listening. Full review >

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by Rosemary Sullivan

The author manages suspense and intrigue at every turn. Full review >

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