Controversial Autobiographies You Must Read – A List for Book Lovers

Autobiographies are different books. It’s different because you read them with an entirely different perspective. You either know the person and want to know personal and secret details about them or want to know the person because others found them fascinating. Autobiographies educate, enlighten, humour, frighten, and arouse other responses from readers. Moreover, autobiographies sometimes challenge readers intellectually, historically and ideologically. That is one of the reasons most readers most likely align with reading autobiographies by people they idealise.

One can find many things associated with reading autobiographies. However, few genres stir the pot like these books. These personal narratives, often penned by figures whose lives are as much public spectacle as private affairs, offer readers a voyeuristic peek into the lives of the famous, the infamous, and the extraordinary.

In this article, I will list a few controversial autobiographies that you can read to increase your knowledge and enhance yourself intellectually. These titles broke boundaries and sparked debate, outrage, and sometimes, admiration. However, you may find a few books on the list that are inconvenient to read. You can ignore them or take the challenge and read.

1. Spare by Prince Harry

• Summary: Prince Harry’s “Spare” became an instant bestseller. It details his life from childhood to his decision to return from royal duties. The book reveals intimate family dynamics, his relationship with Meghan Markle, and his struggles with mental health, making it one of the most talked-about memoirs of recent times. Its candidness about royal life, especially concerning his relationship with his brother and father, has made it a focal point for praise and criticism.

2. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

• Summary: This memoir by former child star Jennette McCurdy explores her tumultuous relationship with her mother, her career in Hollywood, and her battle with eating disorders. The title itself, which many find shocking, encapsulates the complex emotions McCurdy felt towards her mother, leading to widespread discussion on family, trauma, and healing.

3. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

• Summary: This autobiography, written with Alex Haley, charts Malcolm X’s transformation from a street hustler to one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders. Its controversial elements include his advocacy for black separatism and his critique of white America, making it a cornerstone text for understanding racial dynamics in the U.S.

4. My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard

• Summary: This six-volume work, titled after Hitler’s Manifesto, was initially met with controversy due to its title alone. Knausgaard’s detailed recounting of everyday life, his family’s history, and his personal struggles with identity and fatherhood has been both celebrated for its literary depth and criticised for its length and perceived navel-gazing.

5. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

• Summary: Although not strictly an autobiography, Greene’s book, which uses historical figures to illustrate power dynamics, has stirred controversy for its Machiavellian approach to life. Critics argue it promotes manipulation, while others see it as a realistic guide to navigating power structures.

6. My Autobiography by Charles, Prince of Wales

• Summary: Published in 1994, this autobiography was controversial for its candid portrayal of royal life, including Charles’s views on his parents and the monarchy. Its release was seen as an attempt to shape public opinion during personal and institutional turmoil.

7. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

• Summary: While not an autobiography in the classical sense, Anne Frank’s diary has stirred controversy due to initial scepticism about its authenticity and its portrayal of the Holocaust from a young girl’s perspective. Its inclusion here reflects the debate over how history is recorded and remembered, especially when it comes to personal accounts of genocide. The diary’s publication brought the Holocaust’s human impact into sharp relief, making it both revered and occasionally challenged for its content.

8. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

• Summary: Mandela’s autobiography details his fight against apartheid, his years in prison, and his rise to the presidency. While universally acclaimed, some critics argue it glosses over certain political complexities, making it a subject of debate among historians and political analysts.

9. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

• Summary: Springsteen’s memoir delves into his life, music, and the cultural landscape of America. Its controversy stems from its deeply personal revelations, including his struggles with depression, which some fans felt was too intimate for public consumption.

10. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

• Summary: “Mein Kampf” (“My Struggle”) is Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto, outlining his political ideology and plans for Germany. Written while imprisoned after his failed coup attempt in 1923, the book combines Hitler’s personal history with his political philosophy. It delves into his early life, his experiences in Vienna, his service in World War I, and his rise in the Nazi Party.

11. Becoming by Michelle Obama

• Summary: Michelle Obama’s memoir covers her childhood to her time in the White House. While primarily celebrated, it faced criticism for its portrayal of her husband’s presidency, with some accusing it of being overly polished or selective in its narrative.

12. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

• Summary: While not typically viewed as controversial today, Franklin’s autobiography was radical for its time due to its secular approach to morality and success. Franklin outlines his life from his birth in Boston to his rise as a statesman, scientist, and philosopher. His candid discussion of personal virtues and self-improvement and his somewhat unorthodox religious views were seen as challenging traditional values, especially in colonial America, where religious piety was paramount.

13. The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams

• Summary: This work, which won a Pulitzer Prize, is less an autobiography in the traditional sense and more a philosophical reflection on the changes in America from the 19th to the 20th century. Adams, a descendant of two U.S. Presidents, critiques the education system, the political landscape, and the rapid technological advancements, suggesting a disconnect between traditional education and the needs of the modern world. Its controversial nature lies in Adams’s pessimistic view of progress and his critique of the American Dream.

14. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• Summary: This memoir, the first in a series, details Angelou’s life up to 17. It’s controversial for its frank discussions of racism, trauma, and sexual abuse, particularly the scene where she is raped at the age of eight. The book’s exploration of identity, resilience, and the African American experience made it a target for censorship. Yet, it’s celebrated for its lyrical prose and powerful narrative.

15. The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven

• Summary: This autobiography by the suave British actor David Niven was controversial for candid revelations about Hollywood’s golden age, including tales of wild parties, affairs, and the less glamorous side of fame. Niven’s humorous yet sometimes scandalous anecdotes about his peers made the book a hit but also stirred controversy among those who felt their privacy was invaded.

16. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

• Summary: Hemingway’s memoir of his years in Paris in the 1920s is celebrated for its literary insights but was controversial for its portrayal of other writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald. Hemingway’s posthumously published work includes unflattering descriptions of his contemporaries, leading to debates about truth, memory, and literary rivalry. Its publication after Hemingway’s death added to the intrigue and controversy.

17. Permanent Record by Edward Snowden

• Summary: “Permanent Record” is Edward Snowden’s memoir, detailing his journey from a childhood fascinated by computers and the internet to his pivotal role as a whistleblower in one of the most significant leaks in U.S. intelligence history. Born in 1983, Snowden’s early life was marked by his family’s connection to government work, with his father working for the NSA. His interest in technology led him to explore and eventually exploit security flaws, which he initially reported rather than exploited for personal gain.

Conclusion

These autobiographies tell stories of personal journeys and reflect broader societal issues, controversies, and transformations. They challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths, explore the depths of human experience, and sometimes, question the narratives they’ve accepted. Each book, in its own way, has contributed to the literary landscape, offering not just entertainment but profound insights into the human condition. Whether through scandal, political wisdom, or personal revelation, these works remind us that the most compelling stories are often those told by those who lived them.

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