Oh Snap!

The incredible Gary Fong recently released his memoirs in a new book called "Snaps", and I am so going to put it on my "to read" list! I mean, here is an amazing photographer, inventor and entrepenuer and he's (according to the review) been known to make important life decisions based on "the flip of a coin". How refreshing, how honest...if a little scary to someone like me who usually has to make a list of all the "pros" and all the "cons" before I make a move!

Biographies and memoirs never fail to inspire me, so with that in mind here is my top ten list of the best-ever biographies and memoirs:

1. Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. The story of the tragic Romanov dynasty is so heartbreaking and the unfolding of world events that took precedence over family obligation is unfathomable (Neither the Kaiser, nor the King of England would help to save the life of their cousin, the Czar and his family). One of the other facts that I find fascinating here is that The Czar's daughter, Olga was at one time a love interest of the Prince of Wales (who later abdicated the throne to marry Wallace Simpson). How the course of history would have changed if the two had ever married. But I digress...in the midst of all their empire falling down around them, Nicholas and Alexandra were a royal couple truly in love with each other and their family.



2. The Story of My Life : Helen Keller by Helen Keller. As a child, Helen Keller's story inspired me to learn sign language and braille. What an amazing feat to go from a world of silent darkness to speaking at colleges and writing books for the rest of the world to read! She gave thousands with disabilities hope.


3. Howard Hughes-The Untold Story by Peter Harry Brown and Pat H. Broeske. Say what you want about his lifestyle...the man was a genius! I'm so often interested and saddened by stories of parallel genius and madness as was the case with Hughes. He has left an indellible mark on the world even today through philanthropic efforts and research trusts.


4. Laura: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Donald Zochert. Okay, so I grew up on Little House on the Prairie...alomst any woman my age did! Again, I was most moved by the closeness of this family through every possible kind of struggle (bears, wilderness, blindness, and Nellie Olsen (actually a Nellie "Owens" for anyone who's interested). I was also fascinated by Laura's writing and the way that she was able to make any little girl in any era feel what it was like to be a pioneer girl in the 1800's.


5. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan. A great story (and kinda local too)! See the movie too, but not before you read the book!


6. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Like Prizewinner, but even grittier...and funnier! The story of an immigrant family who actually leaves America to go back to their native Ireland. The adversity that this family faces is unbelieveable, but they endure with faith and with humor.



7. 'Tis by Frank McCourt. The next part in the Angela's Ashes story. Little Frankie McCourt goes back to America as an adult, without his family. He experiences New York City, goes back to Europe to fight in the war, then comes back to the US, goes to college and becomes a teacher and eventually an incredible writer!


8. The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's (Elizabeth II) Childhood by
Marion Crawford. The author was actually the princesses nanny, but what is interesting here is that it was written before those "unauthorized" biographies by chauffer's and housekeepers became so popular. Instead of mudslinging and closed-door gossip, the author describes the daily routines of her charges and gives us anectdotal humor.


9. Papa: A Personal Memoir by Gregory Hemingway. Again...genius and madness. This time set against backdrops of some dramtic locales (Key West, Paris, Spain).


10. Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley. Okay, so it's a little tabloid-y, but the fact remains that she was married to the King! Their love story spans several years... she adored Elvis and he truly loved her. We all know how his story ended, but she's respected his memory and his fans all these years.


Anyone I missed? As one who loves to read these kinds of stories, I'm always looking for recommendations. If you've read a good one, please share!