CCBC-Net Archives

Biography and Autobiography -Reply

From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Fri, 03 May 1996 15:32:00 -600

Thanks, Lynn, for your observation on one of the ways in which biographies for young people have changed over the years.

Your comment that biographies today seem to do a better job of
"presenting the whole person 'warts and all'" makes me think of Kathleen Krull's three volumes of collective biographies: "Lives of the Artists: Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought)"
(1995); "Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought)" (1994); and "Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) (1993). (All published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.)

These books present information about individuals who were reknowned in their fields, emphasizing the personality traits and quirky characteristics that make them so very believably real and human. It's a different approach to biography - brief personality sketches rather than life stories. I find the results very appealing. I'm wondering what others think about these books, and about ways in which biographies for young people address the "warts" in their subjects lives.

From: Lynn McCree To: ccbcnet at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu Date: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 4:28 pm Subject: Re: Biography and Autobiography - An American Hero

   I think biographies being written today for young people do a much

better job of presenting the whole person "warts & all" than the earlier ones. My daughter (who is now 24) would only read about Thomas Edison. When I asked why she said it was because he was the only one who seemed real--boxed on the ears for being disrespectful. I haven't read the American Hero yet but it sounds good.
   I also hate the biographies that are written to illustrate and promote a virtue.


Lynn McCree, Librarian Martin Junior High Austin, Texas Lmcc at tenet.edu
Received on Fri 03 May 1996 04:32:00 PM CDT