Favourite Biography?
- Thread starter MRC
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TaylorOtwell
Puritan Board Junior
John G. Paton. Far and away the best (auto)biography I have read (though I haven't read many). This man had a zeal and passion for Christ that I find very challenging. A very godly man, to say the least! Get the Banner of Truth edition if you are able!
My next son's middle name will be "Paton", if the Lord gives me another son. That's how much it impacted me.
My next son's middle name will be "Paton", if the Lord gives me another son. That's how much it impacted me.
Southern Presbyterian
Puritan Board Doctor
Willem van Oranje
Puritan Board Junior
Backwoods Presbyterian
Puritanboard Amanuensis
ML-J Bio. Also the Bio of John Murray.
MRC
Puritan Board Freshman
Definately. Before embracing the reformed faith I was not big on bios as I did not really admire anyone enough to care about their life. Since then I have come to appreciate the teaching of many men and would like to learn about their life and Christian walk.
Thanks everyone, keep 'em com'in!!
LawrenceU
Puritan Board Doctor
I'll second this one.
I will also add:
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, John Bunyan
Augustine's Confessions, Augustine of Hippo
Montanablue
Puritan Board Doctor
This is not a religious biography (which seems to be what everyone is enjoying), but Woody Holton's bio of Abigail Adams is AMAZING and just came out in paperback.
Tripel
Puritan Board Senior
Hey, I'm right there with you. And I can assure you mine is less religious than yours. Come to think of it, I don't know if I've ever read a religious biography!
That probably explains why my recommendation was for a soccer player. I know, I know, how impressive!
Jimmy the Greek
Puritan Board Senior
C. H. Spurgeon Autobiography (Banner of Truth, Vols 1 & 2)
christiana
Puritan Board Senior
Triumph of Truth, bio of Martin Luther by Jean Merle D'Aubigne
George Mueller of Bristol, A.T. Pierson
George Whitefield, Arnold
Dallimore
George Mueller of Bristol, A.T. Pierson
George Whitefield, Arnold
Dallimore
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Montanablue
Puritan Board Doctor
I find that often religious biographies tend to turn into hagiographies, which is annoying.
Actually, I can think of one religious biography that I enjoyed - George Marsden's Jonathan Edwards. Really good! And didn't paint him as a sinless saint.
Grimmson
Puritan Board Sophomore
A piece just came to my mind. If you want a brief who’s who of patristic history De Viris Illustribus, by Jerome, is an interesting read. It a quick bio summary of important figures in early church history. It is like the cliff notes of an Ancient Church class that your seminary professor would not want you to know about. 
There are issues of strong suspension with some of his given historical accounts, such as with Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Aristides, and Pantaenus. Despite the fact that you can see problems with his various historical accounts, you can see the reflections of portrayed traditions or falsified stories that were believed in Jerome’s time. There is still plenty of helpful information in there that quite reliable. Therefore it would be helpful to double checks various claims Jerome makes, which would be a good research project for someone and would make you well rounded for that period of church history.
The Latin text has been translated into English, yet in my opinion is sadly ignored.
There are issues of strong suspension with some of his given historical accounts, such as with Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Aristides, and Pantaenus. Despite the fact that you can see problems with his various historical accounts, you can see the reflections of portrayed traditions or falsified stories that were believed in Jerome’s time. There is still plenty of helpful information in there that quite reliable. Therefore it would be helpful to double checks various claims Jerome makes, which would be a good research project for someone and would make you well rounded for that period of church history.
The Latin text has been translated into English, yet in my opinion is sadly ignored.
jambo
Puritan Board Senior
I originally took the post to mean Christian biographies. There are many good non Christian biographies as well.
Although I like sport I really can't be bothered with sporting biographies are all much the same and I find it a bit much when sportsmen in their early 20s are writing their life stories.
The Diary of Anne Frank captures life in hiding and particularly and is poignant at the end when you know why there are no more entries.
I have found biographies of journalists quite fascinating as they are in places where world news and events are happening and they are recording it as eye witnesses. Recently I just finished Conor O'Cleary's May You Live in Interesting Times which I particularly enjoyed.
Although I like sport I really can't be bothered with sporting biographies are all much the same and I find it a bit much when sportsmen in their early 20s are writing their life stories.
The Diary of Anne Frank captures life in hiding and particularly and is poignant at the end when you know why there are no more entries.
I have found biographies of journalists quite fascinating as they are in places where world news and events are happening and they are recording it as eye witnesses. Recently I just finished Conor O'Cleary's May You Live in Interesting Times which I particularly enjoyed.
Backwoods Presbyterian
Puritanboard Amanuensis
In that sense my favorite biography is one written by a World War II German Soldier Guy Sajer called The Forgotten Soldier.
christianhope
Puritan Board Freshman
I'm surprised, no one has yet mentioned my favorite autobiography, which is that of George Muller. You can pick one up for cheap, it's the best I've ever read, I've actually read it over three times!
When I think of George Muller, I think of one of the most excellent examples of what a christian ought to look like. Though his doctine could use a little work, he was a very godly man of faith.
Amazon.com: Autobiography Of George Muller (9780883681596): MULLER
When I think of George Muller, I think of one of the most excellent examples of what a christian ought to look like. Though his doctine could use a little work, he was a very godly man of faith.
Amazon.com: Autobiography Of George Muller (9780883681596): MULLER
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