How To Do Biography

by Hamilton, Nigel

• ISBN13: 9780674027961
• ISBN10: 0674027965
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-04-30
• Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr

Summary

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 biographerrs"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 oners"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, lifers"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.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Getting Started

The Task of Biography

What Is Your Agenda?

Defining Your Audience

Researching Your Subject

The Shape of a Life

Composing a Life-Story

The Starting Point

Birthing Your Subject

Childhood and Youth

Love Stories

Lifersquo;s Work

The Twilight Years

Ending Your Story

Variations on a Theme

Autobiography and Memoirs

Memoir

Truth-and Its Consequences

The Afterlife

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Index

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