“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Few things can prove to be as inspiring as stepping into the shoes of history’s most influential figures. Biographies not only offer a detailed account of historical events but also provide a lens into the minds of those who shaped the world. From fearless leaders and revolutionary thinkers to trailblazing innovators and unsung heroes, these books bring the past to life through personal stories that resonate across generations. If you’re an avid historian, we here at What We Reading have curated some of our favourite biographies about historical figures that re sure to captivate you. These books go beyond the dates and facts, diving instead into the motivations, challenges and triumphs that defined history’s biggest game-changers and their legacies. Whether you’re drawn to political leaders who reshaped nations, scientists who redefined what’s possible or ordinary individuals who achieved the extraordinary, there’s a biography for you!
Long Walk To Freedom – Nelson Mandela
First up on our list of books about inspiring historical leaders is Nelson Mandela’s revered biography, Long Walk to Freedom. This powerful memoir chronicles Mandela’s journey from his rural childhood in the Xhoas-speaking Thembu people through his decades-long struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Mandela offers an intimate perspective on his personal life, including his time as a lawyer, his role within the African National Congress (ANC), and the sacrifices he made for equality.
The book vividly recounts his twenty-seven years of imprisonment and the unyielding resolve that finally led to his release and South Africa’s transformation into a democratic nation. More than just a personal story, Long Walk to Freedom profoundly reflects leadership, resilience and the power of forgiveness. This inspiring biography is a must-read for history enthusiasts and those looking for insight into one of the twentieth century’s most remarkable leaders.
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The Code-Breaker – Walter Isaacson
The Code-Breaker by Walter Isaacson is a fascinating historical biography that charts the life and groundbreaking work of Jennifer Doudna, a scientist who helped revolutionise genetic science through the discovery of CRISPR technology. This transformative tool allows for precise gene editing with profound implications for medicine, agriculture and even the ethical boundaries of science.
Isaacson traces Doudna’s journey from her childhood curiosity about science to her pivotal role in the development of CRISPR. The biography reveals the race to harness this technology, the collaboration and rivalries among scientists, and the broader ethical questions it raises around altering human DNA. Fascinating and accessible, The Code-Breaker is not only an exploration of how innovation shapes the future of humanity but is also a portrait of a brilliant scientist who deserves far more recognition for their work.
Frida: A Biography Of Frida Kahlo – Hayden Herrera
One of the most vibrant artists of the twentieth century, Hayden Herrera offers a deeply researched and richly detailed portrait of Frida Kahlo’s tumultuous life in Frida, exploring how immense suffering and deep passions shaped her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit.
The biography captures the key moments in Kahlo’s life, from the near-fatal bus accident and its life-long imprint on her health to her tempestuous marriage to famed muralist Diego Rivera. Herrera examines the ways in which Kahlo’s pain, political beliefs and Mexican heritage permeated her art, creating works that remain deeply personal yet also universally lauded. Through vivid storytelling and analysis, Frida is one of the best biographies about a complex and fiercely independent woman who defied societal norms to become a trailblazing artist.
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Team Of Rivals – Doris Kearns Goodwin
Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the greatest American President. In her biography of this iconic historical leader, Doris Kearns Goodwin offers an extraordinary portrait of Lincoln’s leadership through the lens of his relationships with his closest political adversaries. Team of Rivals highlights the 16th US President’s decision to appoint three former rivals – William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates – to crucial positions within his cabinet.
Goodwin masterfully interweaves the personal and political lives of these figures, providing a richly detailed account of the Civil War era and Lincoln’s visionary presidency. The book captures Lincoln’s empathy, humility and strategic genius as he steered the nation through its most perilous period. This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography is a compelling study of leadership, collaboration and resilience, making it one of the most inspiring historical reads about a truly iconic figure.
Hidden Figures – Margot Lee Shetterly
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly unveils the inspiring, untold story of the Black women mathematicians who were essential to NASA’s success during the Space Race. Dubbed ‘human computers’, these women broke racial and gender barriers whilst performing critical calculations for some of the US’ most significant space missions, including John Glenn’s orbital flight and the Apollo missions.
The book focuses on three remarkable figures – Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson – detailing their struggles against systemic racism and sexism in a segregated workplace. Shetterly also situates their achievements within the wider context of the civil rights movement and America’s push for technological supremacy during the days of the Cold War. Hidden Figures is a powerful tribute to these unsung heroes in history whose brilliance and perseverance changed space exploration and the fight for equality.
The Man Who Knew Infinity – Robert Kanigel
Another one of the best biographies about historical figures with otherworldly skills in maths and science comes from Robert Kanigel in The Man Who Knew Infinity. Srinivasa Ramanujan was a self-taught mathematician from colonial India whose extraordinary contributions to mathematics changed the field forever. Despite limited formal education and faced with societal barriers, Ramanujan developed groundbreaking theories that challenged established concepts and gained widespread acceptance.
Kangiel delves into Ramanujan’s personal and academic journey, highlighting his infectious passion for mathematics, his unlikely partnership with British mathematician G.H. Hardy, and the cultural challenges he faced upon moving to England. Through meticulous research and storytelling, The Man Who Knew Infinity brings Ramanujan’s genius and the richness of his life to light, making it a must-read for anyone interested in maths, scientific history and individuals who defied the odds to leave a lasting legacy.
Cleopatra: A Life – Stacy Schiff
One of the world’s most iconic and misunderstood figures, Stacy Schiff brings to life Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt in her acclaimed biography on the leader, revealing the complexities of her reign, her political acumen and her personal life. Schiff challenges many of the myths surrounding Cleopatra, depicting her not as a seductress but rather as a highly astute, strategic leader who circumvented the dangerous political landscape of Ancient Rome.
From her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, her fight to maintain Egyptian independence to her efforts to secure a legacy in a male-dominated world, Cleopatra: A Life is a nuanced portrait of a woman who defied the expectations of her time. It is one of the best historical biographies for anyone fascinated by the ancient era, powerful women or the story behind one of the most enduring figures in history.
Harriet Tubman: The Road To Freedom – Catherine Clinton
Similar to Schiff’s work, Catherine Clinton’s Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom is another great biography about historical figures through the lens of a mighty and resilient woman. In it, she documents the life of Harriet Tubman, one of history’s greatest abolitionists and freedom fighters. Clinton traces Tubman’s journey from her childhood in slavery to her heroic work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, where she led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.
The biography not only explores Tubman’s extraordinary bravery in helping offers (usually at great personal risk), but also delves into her complex personal life, including her struggles with her own freedom, her role as a spy during the Civil War, and her later work as a suffragist. Clinton paints a vivid depiction of a woman whose faith, determination and unyielding commitment to justic made her a legendary figure in American history.
Gandhi: An Autobiography – Mahatma Gandhi
Also known as The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography traces his evolution from a shy, uncertain young man in colonial India to the leader of a nonviolent movement that would bring independence to India and inspire countless waves of global civil rights movements.
In this candid narrative, Gandhi reflects on his early life, his quest for personal and social truth, his time in South Africa fighting for racial equality, and his leadership in India’s struggle for freedom from British rule. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance, or satyagraha, emerges as a central theme as Gandhi recounts how his experiments with truth, simplicity and self-discipline shaped both his personal and political life. One of the most timeless books about historical leaders, Gandhi’s autobiography offers insight into the mind of one of the world’s most revered figures, offering poignant meditations on faith, ethics and the power of nonviolence.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
