Biography

Biography is one of the most popular, best-selling, and widely-read of literary genres. But why do certain people and historical events arouse so much interest? How can biographies be compared with history and works of fiction? Does a biography need to be true? Is it acceptable to omit or conceal things? Does the biographer need to personally know the subject? Must a biographer be subjective? In this Very Short Introduction Hermione Lee considers the cultural and historical background of different types of biographies, looking at the factors that affect biographers and whether there are different strategies, ethics, and principles required for writing about one person compared to another. She also considers contemporary biographical publications and considers what kind of 'lives' are the most popular and in demand.

ISBN 0199533547   Volumes 1 ISBN13 9780199533541 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 158 Publisher Oxford University Press   Published in Oxford Imprint Oxford University Press   Series title Very Short Introductions Format Paperback   Height (mm) 174 Publication date 09 Jul 2009   Width (mm) 113 DEWEY 809.93592   Spine width (mm) 10 DEWEY edition DC22   Academic level General Pages 192

		List of Illustrations
		A Very Short Introduction
1		The Biography Channel		1
2		Exemplary Lives		19
3		Warts and All		39
4		National Biography		54
5		Fallen Idols		72
6		Against Biography		93
7		Public Roles		101
8		Telling the Story		122
		References		141
		Bibliography		163
		Index		167

It would be hard to think of anyone better to provide a crisp contribution to OUP's Very Short Introductions. Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian A sophisticated overview for the general reader. Andrew Lycett, Literary Review Enjoyable book on the subject. Henry Power, TLS

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Watch a video interview with Hermione Lee