From John Updike to Louis Armstrong, from Mavis Staples to John Quincy Adams, we round up the most fascinating life stories published this year. Only half way into 2014, historical biographies are already having a banner year. Adam Begley’s Updike—a “superb achievement” and “brilliant new biography”—is perhaps the most lauded title so far this year in any genre, Ramachandra Guha’s just-published Gandhi Before India is garnering similar buzz, and an armload of other big bios are making waves.
Only half way into 2014, historical biographies are already having a banner year. Adam Begley’s Updike—a “superb achievement” and “brilliant new biography”—is perhaps the most lauded title so far this year in any genre, Ramachandra Guha’s just-published Gandhi Before India is garnering similar buzz, and an armload of other big bios are making waves.
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