Books like The unknown Matisse by Hilary Spurling

Patti Smith’s memoir charts her life in New York City, from the bohemian scenes of Max’s Kansas City and the Hotel Chelsea to a creative partnership with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in Brooklyn.

Donald Trump shares his secrets for making a fortune and running a successful business in his book 'How to Get Rich'.

Ron Chernow’s definitive biography of Alexander Hamilton traces the life of America’s founding statesman—from a Caribbean orphan to Washington’s aide, Federalist leader, first Treasury Secretary, and duelist—revealing the political and economic foundations of the modern nation.

Paul Dirac, a pioneering quantum physicist, is portrayed as a brilliant yet reclusive genius whose groundbreaking work—including the prediction of antimatter—shaped modern physics.

After a life‑altering romance, Elizabeth Gilbert confronts her fear of marriage by researching its history and meaning, turning a personal dilemma into a witty, reflective exploration of love and commitment.

Shalom Auslander’s memoir, *Foreskin's Lament*, chronicles his turbulent youth in an isolated Orthodox community, his rebellion—including a reform‑school exile in Israel—and his ongoing struggle to reconcile faith, law, and personal freedom.

Witness to Hope chronicles Pope John Paul II’s transformative influence on 20th‑century world politics and the Catholic Church, drawing on unprecedented access to the pontiff and those close to him.

In this candid memoir, Hilary Mantel reflects on her upbringing, family dynamics and struggles with illness, tracing how early loss and chronic pain shaped her life and literary career.

"A memoir about the experiences of a nurse in London, focusing on the overlooked importance of kindness and compassion"--Provided by publisher.

The moving, inspiring memoir of one of the great women of our times, Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize and advocate for the oppressed, whose spirit has remained strong in the face of political persecution and despite the challenges she has faced raising a family while pursuing her work. Best known in this country as the lawyer working tirelessly on behalf of Canadian photojournalist, Zara Kazemi -- raped, tortured and murdered in Iran -- Dr. Ebadi offers us a vivid picture of the struggles of one woman against the system. The book movingly chronicles her childhood in a loving, untraditional family, her upbringing before the Revolution in 1979 that toppled the Shah, her marriage and her religious faith, as well as her life as a mother and lawyer battling an oppressive regime in the courts while bringing up her girls at home.Outspoken, controversial, Shirin Ebadi is one of the most fascinating women today. She rose quickly to become the first female judge in the country; but when the religious authorities declared women unfit to serve as judges she was demoted to clerk in the courtroom she had once presided over. She eventually fought her way back as a human rights lawyer, defending women and children in politically charged cases that most lawyers were afraid to represent. She has been arrested and been the target of assassination, but through it all has spoken out with quiet bravery on behalf of the victims of injustice and discrimination and become a powerful voice for change, almost universally embraced as a hero.Her memoir is a gripping story -- a must-read for anyone interested in Zara Kazemi's case, in the life of a remarkable woman, or in understanding the political and religious upheaval in our world.From the Hardcover edition.

A remarkable and complex biography of Saartjie Baartman, known as the 'Hottentot Venus,' tracing her journey from slavery to fame and the ongoing struggle for her return to her homeland.

Stephen B. Oates’s biography charts Martin Luther King Jr.’s growth, from Thoreau and Gandhi’s influence to his pivotal role in nonviolent civil‑rights protest.

Carmen Bin Ladin, a half‑Swiss, half‑Persian woman, recounts her marriage into the powerful Bin Ladin family, her life under strict Saudi customs, her fight for her daughters and her personal awakening amid the family’s ties to Saudi royalty.

An intimate oral history of rock legend Warren Zevon, told by his wife Crystal Zevon and drawn from over eighty interviews with music and cultural icons.

Linda Lear’s biography reveals the extraordinary life of Beatrix Potter, celebrated artist, illustrator, author, businesswoman, scientist, and Lakeland landowner.

Edwidge Danticat tells the true story of her family’s migration from Haiti to New York and the perilous journey home in 2004, revealing the intimate struggles of emigration amid Haiti’s political turmoil.