Nigel hamilton how to do biography review

February 15, at am. Oh, this is so true, look at the recent example of two biographies coming out about Frank Moorhouse within weeks of each other. But already I know that they are vastly different. Like Like. Nathan Hobby said:. February 15, at pm. Thank you Lisa. I will be interested in your thoughts on the two Moorhouse biographies. I thought it was a good moment in Australian biography that both were published!

We had 2 or was it even 3 Christina Steads published in a short period years ago. I will send you a message about my subject later! Like Liked by 1 person. I mention him in my article published in the Aust. Biography and History this week: How does on choose narrative strategy. And congratulations on your article — I look forward to reading it.

As someone who eats literary biographies for breakfast, I say we cannot have too many takes on important figures. I loved many things about Red Witch, but one that can rarely be attributed is the detail and nuance around the writing process. What a friendly, friendly book. Less a how-to-do-it and more a how-to-think-about-it, with clear examples and lotsa quotes.

A really good read, even if you're not doing biography, but you like to read them, because it's a look into the thinking behind what shows up in a biography. Hamilton has the advantage that his subjects have left a lot of paper, and he can interview people who knew them. So he emphasizes that kind of bio. It's daunting in a different way when you're researching somebody who destroyed a lot of his letters well, mice destroyed them first and who died before the Civil War, so you have to make a quilt from scraps in newspapers and historical records bits, and counting.

But Hamilton's book is encouraging and engaging and thought-provoking and really, really readable. A great read for anyone looking into writing biographies. I was reading it for a class but learned a lot in the efforts it takes to write biographies. All the ins and outs well described. I also liked the examples given throughout the book. I'm very interested in all references the author used.

If I ever get enough time, I would like to read all of them for the sake of better understanding and to say I have red them. As well as to give my opinion and understanding of each. I've now read several books in the "how to do biography" genre. Hands down, Hamilton's book was the most accessible and useful. As an amateur, I found this book perfect for my needs.

Hard to say if someone more experienced would find it as helpful. Then again, someone that has successfully written a biography probably won't be buying a primer. I like the layout of the book. Even the cover seems not so attractive, the size of words and the layout gave me a very comfortable reading experience. The content is very clear and helpful, I like the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

A good book. John Waldrip. Author 4 books 5 followers. What an incredible learning experience! I had no idea such a popular genre was virtually untaught in universities. I am an inveterate reader, but this was an unexpected blessing, having never before read a book about writing a biography, which is my next goal as an author. Nothing you don't already know.

Clear, concise, full of interesting examples both positive and negative as well as personal experience by the author. A superb book on biography, with insightful excerpts and quotes. Anson Cassel Mills. First, let me make it clear that I have no grudge against Nigel Hamilton. He writes well, and I believe prospective biographers would do well to read his book.

The problem with all three of these examples is that they are at worst, false and at best, not susceptible to proof. Suetonius had an ax to grind with Tiberius and perhaps with all emperors. From Robert Kelly, Library Journal: "This marvelous work--basically, a how-to book--is comprehensive in its treatment of everything necessary to creating a published biography.

Kennedy, and Bill Clinton, here leaves nothing unsaid on the subject.

Nigel hamilton how to do biography review

He thoroughly details biography's agenda and motivation and describes its target audience, who will expect something of a revelation concerning the human condition He additionally scrutinizes autobiography and memoir writing, the consequence of telling the truth, and biography's afterlife. The exceptional excerpts Hamilton selects from published biographies to illustrate his points are both edifying and entertaining.

Hamilton is quite eloquent and persuasive in discussing how things come around at the end, not only at death, but after, when the life meets posterity. This book is so comprehensive on elements of biography, it qualifies to be a definitive text for subject. It is a handy tool-kit for both readers and writers of biography and memoir. I came out of it much the wiser in the craft of writing biography.

Your purchase has been completed. Your documents are now available to view. Cite this book. Hamilton, Nigel. Hamilton, N. Hamilton N. Copied to clipboard. Purchase book. Cite this Share this. Reviews This marvelous work--basically, a how-to book--is comprehensive in its treatment of everything necessary to creating a published biography.