How To Do Biography : A Primer

It is not surprising that biography is one of the most popular literary genres of our day. What is remarkable is that there is no accessible guide for how to write one. Now, following his recent Biography: A Brief History (from Harvard), award-winning biographer and teacher Nigel Hamilton tackles the practicalities of doing biography in this first succinct primer to elucidate the tools of the biographer’s craft. Hamilton invites the reader to join him on a fascinating journey through the art of biographical composition. Starting with personal motivation, he charts the making of a modern biography from the inside: from conception to fulfillment. He emphasizes the need to know one’s audience, rehearses the excitement and perils of modern research, delves into the secrets of good and great biography, and guides the reader through the essential components of life narrative. With examples taken from the finest modern biographies, Hamilton shows how to portray the ages of man—birth, childhood, love, life’s work, the evening of life, and death. In addition, he suggests effective ways to start and close a life story. He clarifies the difference between autobiography and memoir—and addresses the sometimes awkward ethical, legal, and personal consequences of truth-telling in modern life writing. He concludes with the publication and reception of biography—its afterlife, so to speak. Written with humor, insight, and compassion, How To Do Biography is the manual that would-be biographers have long been awaiting. (20080415) It is not surprising that biography is one of the most popular literary genres of our day. What is remarkable is that there is no accessible guide for how to write one. Now, following his recent Biography: A Brief History (from Harvard), award-winning biographer and teacher Nigel Hamilton tackles the practicalities of doing biography in this first succinct primer to elucidate the tools of the biographer’s craft.Hamilton invites the reader to join him on a fascinating journey through the art of biographical composition. Starting with personal motivation, he charts the making of a modern biography from the inside: from conception to fulfillment. He emphasizes the need to know one’s audience, rehearses the excitement and perils of modern research, delves into the secrets of good and great biography, and guides the reader through the essential components of life narrative.With examples taken from the finest modern biographies, Hamilton shows how to portray the ages of man—birth, childhood, love, life’s work, the evening of life, and death. In addition, he suggests effective ways to start and close a life story. He clarifies the difference between autobiography and memoir—and addresses the sometimes awkward ethical, legal, and personal consequences of truth-telling in modern life writing. He concludes with the publication and reception of biography—its afterlife, so to speak.Written with humor, insight, and compassion, How To Do Biography is the manual that would-be biographers have long been awaiting. Contents......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 I. Getting Started......Page 18 1. The Task of Biography......Page 20 2. What Is Your Agenda?......Page 35 3. Defining Your Audience......Page 60 4. Researching Your Subject......Page 76 5. The Shape of a Life......Page 106 II. Composing a Life-Story......Page 130 6. The Starting Point......Page 132 7. Birthing Your Subject......Page 151 8. Childhood and Youth......Page 168 9. Love Stories......Page 187 10. Life’s Work......Page 207 11. The Twilight Years......Page 230 12. Ending Your Story......Page 251 III. Variations on a Theme......Page 280 13. Autobiography and Memoirs......Page 282 14. Memoir......Page 307 15. Truth—and Its Consequences......Page 330 16. The Afterlife......Page 347 Notes......Page 362 Selected Bibliography......Page 375 Acknowledgments......Page 381 Index......Page 384 An Introduction To Writing A Biography That Discusses Personal Motivation, Beginnings And Endings, The Difference Between Autobiography And Memoir, Ethical And Legal Issues, And Other Related Topics. The Task Of Biography -- What Is Your Agenda? -- Defining Your Audience -- Researching Your Subject -- The Shape Of A Life -- The Starting Point -- Birthing Your Subject -- Childhood And Youth -- Love Stories -- Life's Work -- The Twilight Years -- Ending Your Story -- Autobiography And Memoirs -- Memoir -- Truth--and Its Consequences -- The Afterlife. Nigel Hamilton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [362]-367) And Index. Tackles the practicalities of doing biography and elucidates the tools of the biographer's craft. The author invites the reader to join him on a journey through the art of biographical composition. Starting with personal motivation, he charts the making of a modern biography from the inside: from conception to fulfillment. It is not surprising that biography is one of the most popular literary genres of our day. What is remarkable is that there is no accessible guide for how to write one. Starting with personal motivation, this book charts the making of a modern biography from inside: from conception to fulfilment