A good, relatively short, biography or autobiography. Not of someone "cliche"?

Question

Can you guys tell me one, or a list of the best autobiographies or biographies that you have read. I rather it not be about anyone cliche or overrated. No maya angelou, no bill clinton, no hitler, no barak obama, etc. you get the point.

Any random NON FICTION is fine, but maybe something that has some psychological depth, but having psychological aspecgts are NOT necessary, but if you think the book you are refering to has some or a substantial amount of psychological conflicts, issues or references, please let me know what book it is.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

Answer 1

I recommend "Ibn al-Haytham: First Scientist" by Bradley Steffens. It tells the fascinating, true story of a medieval Muslim scholar who overcame bouts of mental illness to develop the scientific method two hundred years before the Europeans learned of it—by reading his books.

Born in Basra (located in what is now Iraq) in 965, Ibn al-Haytham first studied theology, trying unsuccessfully to resolve the differences between the s**+'ah and Sunnah sects. He then turned his attention to the works of the ancient Greek philosophers and mathematicians. He was the first person to apply algebra to geometry, founding the branch of mathematics known as analytic geometry. He traveled to Egypt to build a dam on the Nile, failed, and ended up imprisoned in Cairo for ten years. During this time he developed the idea of systematically testing hypotheses with experiments—the core of the scientific method.

You can find reviews of the book and a sample chapter at http://www.ibnalhaytham.net/

Answer 2

The Fragmented Life of Don Jacobo Lerner

The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini

The Extraordinary Mr. Morris...A biography of Gouverneur Morris

The Memoirs of William Jenning Bryan

Theodore Herzl

Through the Tempests Dark and Wild: a Story of Mary Shelley

Answer 3

There is this great artist from post wwi: kurt schwitters, his autobiography Kurt Merz Schwitters by Gwendolyn Webster is excellent. And the psychological depth is definitely there, the author really gets into his personal life and his relationships with friends and family, he had problems with chronic insomnia and anxiety and his art was a lifelong pursuit that was directly connected with coping with war, loss, personal success, family, personal philosophy etc.  And it's a great read, really interesting, however, I recommend looking for it in the library, it's hard to find and very expensive. Also, the author's references are very helpful in looking for other related titles.