Really good biographies? Other really good books for my mom to listen to?

[LynnS6]

My mom is blind and getting older. She just fell down the stairs and broke her arm (a whole different thread). So, right now, she's pretty limited in what she can do. She likes to listen to audiobooks and can get many titles via the state Society for the Blind even if there's not an audio version out there.

She likes biographies and really good fiction. She's got a Ph.D. in English literature, so she's pretty 'picky' about the books she listens to. She's not above some lighter fare, but it's got to be well written.

She's listened to all of David McCullough's biographies (John Adams, Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman) and really likes them. What else can we get for her? Any and all suggestions appreciated!

[KiwiZ]

I recently read Eric Metaxas' Dietrich Bonhoeffer biography "Bonhoeffer:  Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" and am currently reading (same author) "Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery".  Both are available in Audio CD form. 

I found the Bonhoeffer book fairly dry the first 3rd of the way through (childhood details) but utterly fascinating for the rest of the biography as he struggles with how to fight Nazi Germany and maintain the integrity of his faith (he was a Christian pastor in Germany).  The book really captures IMO what it felt like back then, I couldn't put it down.  Its pretty heavy though, you know your mom best as to whether she would enjoy this or not.  I found it inspiring and thought provoking and am grateful that brave heroes really do exist

and speaking of brave heroes, I am very much enjoying the William Wilberforce book too, lighter in tone, I just started it.  Will return later for more details if you are interested

HTH

[meemee]

not sure how many of these she might find in audio books.

1. wole soyinka http://www.amazon.com/Ake-Years-Childhood-Wole-Soyinka/dp/0679725407

2. anything by J M coetzee - esp the life and times of Michael K - fiction - short but kinda dark

3. light, witty well written - any travel books by Bill Bryson. the best thing - he is also a great reader and all his books are available on audio.

4. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole - brilliant book but alas the author committed suicide before he was even published. 

5. i love reading a lot of diaries and love letters. some that come to mind are napolean bonaparte's love letters to josephine. Diary of junipero serra.

6. the history of disease. cant remember if this was the book i read but it was fascinating http://www.amazon.com/Disease-History-Sutton-Classics/dp/075093526X

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/books/review/11cover_bissel.html the places in between by rory stewart - a fascinating book.

cold mountain by charles frazier - fiction

vikram seth - golden gate bridge. i have not read a suitable boy but its a looong book. perhaps an audio book would be great. 

Kenzuburo Oe - a personal matter

light fiction - but interesting and well written but not stodgy - Judge Dee by RObert Van Gulik - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_van_Gulik

[LynnS6]

Thanks! These are some really good suggestions. I know she's 'read' some of them (Cold Mountain), but this will give us a range of stuff to look at.

Just to be clear, they don't have to be in audiobook format. There is an audio lending library in the state where she lives that does audiobooks as a free service for residents who are blind. Many books (but not all) are available through them, even if they aren't sold in stores as audiobooks.

KiwiZ -- please do give more details on the William Wilberforce book. It sounds interesting. It's funny that you mentioned Bonhoeffer, I hadn't thought of him and I should have, as the pastor at my church did his Ph.D. dissertation on Bonhoeffer and is quite an expert. I think when my mom is in the right mood, it might be very interesting for her. She was a young teen during WWII.

meemee -- thanks for the suggestions. Some of these look really good. I'm really intrigued by Disease and History, A Walk Across Afghanistan and the one by Soyinka. I might suggest that last one to her first, as he sounds like he's a brilliant author, and my mom loves good writing!

Keep 'em coming!

[Caneel]

Personal History by Katharine Grahm is one of my all time favorite books.   It is the autobiography of the woman who owned the Washington Post (as well as other media companies)  She had quite the remarkable life.  Katarine Grahm's Washington is also good. 

I also enjoyed The Queen Mother by William Shawcross.  It is the biography of Queen Elizabeth's mother.  I have little interest in the royal family but I found reading about a woman's life that spanned a century fasinating.  I feel it is as much a history book as a biography.

[Owen'nZoe]

If she doesn't mind something a little racy, the Story of My Life by Giacoma Cassanova is fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/Story-My-Life-Giacomo-Casanova/dp/1568860633. He is a very good storyteller, and a tallented con-man. Beyond just the biographical details, his memoirs give a facinating look into civil society in 18th century Venice I understand that the unabriged versions are better (or at least more sordid ;)) but I had the edition I linked to, and it was a fun read.

This isn't a biography, but I think it would be a hit with someone who enjoys biographies - The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. A journalist covers the story of Lia Lee, a little Hmong girl in Merced CA who suffered irreperable brain damage as the result of poorly managed epilepsy. It tries to pinpoint just how the clash between the Hmong and American cultures prevented her from getting the care she needed. It is a very even handed book that doesn't lay blame on either side, just tries to understand how another tragedy like Lia's could be avoided. Very well written, very hard to put down.

[KiwiZ]

Originally Posted by LynnS6 

Thanks! These are some really good suggestions. I know she's 'read' some of them (Cold Mountain), but this will give us a range of stuff to look at.

KiwiZ -- please do give more details on the William Wilberforce book. It sounds interesting. 

Keep 'em coming!

Glad this thread is giving some great ideas!  You asked for more details on the Wilberforce book, I'm only about 1/2 way through, but will try.  IMO the author is excellent at drawing the reader into the time period.  As with the Bonhoeffer book, it was a little dry in places, but now has really "heated up" and I am finding it difficult to put down.  The English language has changed and some of the letters the author includes are difficult for me to work through, but the author helps explain words, customs, etc.  I'm very much enjoying this biography, I didn't know much about William Wilberforce growing up and he is someone I deeply admire now.  HTH  :)

[MariaMadly]

The Power Broker (subtitled Robert Moses and the Fall of New York) by Robert Caro.  http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780394720241-3 is phenomenal.  Caro also wrote a series about LBJ, so if your mother likes his work there's plenty more.  Hope she's feeling better!

[Arduinna]

If she is picky about her books as you posted, I'd just get her a gift card. Either itunes or audible or maybe Amazon or Barnes and Noble. What other people suggest they liked doesn't mean she will.

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by Arduinna 

If she is picky about her books as you posted, I'd just get her a gift card. Either itunes or audible or maybe Amazon or Barnes and Noble. What other people suggest they liked doesn't mean she will.

Except that she has to get her books through the services for the blind, so she needs to know what to order. It doesn't cost her anything, so she can easily 'try out' books. She can't do itunes (can't navigate the computer, and my dad isn't savvy enough to download something on itunes and transfer it to something my mom can use). All I'm really looking for are things to suggest to her -- she can make the final decision.

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by MariaMadly 

The Power Broker (subtitled Robert Moses and the Fall of New York) by Robert Caro.  http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780394720241-3 is phenomenal.  Caro also wrote a series about LBJ, so if your mother likes his work there's plenty more.  Hope she's feeling better!

Thanks! given her age, I wonder if she'd like the LBJ book first. I'll suggest it to her.