I love to read biographies. I enjoy other genres too, but biographies are my favorite. Where other books describe about strengths and weaknesses, biographies display those strengths and weaknesses. Here is a selection of biographies I recommend.
Christians You Should Know
Here is a selection of important Christians you should get to know.
- Bunyan, John
Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan by Faith Cook. A fast-paced and interesting account of Bunyan’s life. - Calvin, John
Calvin by Bruce Gordon. Gordon does an especially good job of setting Calvin within his historical context, showing how the theologian was a product of his time, his nation, his church. - Chambers, Oswald
Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God by David McCasland. Introduces a new generation to the author of My Utmost For His Highest. - Edwards, Jonathan
Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden. This is a powerful biography of a very important theologian. - Grey, Jane
Lady Jane Grey by Faith Cook. Here is the short, tragic life of Lady Jane Grey. - Jones, Peter
Sacred Feathers by Donald B. Smith. This tells the story of a Canadian member of the Ojibwa tribe who became a powerful preacher. - Keller, Timothy
Timothy Keller by Collin Hansen. However you tell the history of Christianity at the dawn of new millennium, it needs to include Keller. - Lewis, C.S.
C.S. Lewis – A Life by Alister McGrath. McGrath portrays Lewis as an eccentric genius and a reluctant prophet. - Livingstone, David
David Livingstone by Vance Christie. This is a large and excellent biography of a key figure in world missions - MacArthur, John
Servant of the Word & Flock by Iain Murray. Murray did not set out to write a full-length biography. But since he did, it is well worth reading. - Moody, D.L.
D.L. Moody: A Life by Kevin Belmonte. A solid biography of a man who changed the world. - Newton, John
John Newton by Jonathan Aitken. There is much more to Newton than “Amazing Grace.” - Packer, J.I.
J.I Packer: An Evangelical Life by Leland Ryken. This is an enjoyable account of Packer’s life, though it may leave you wanting more. - Shaeffer, Francis
Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life by Colin Duriez. This will probably not be the definitive account of Schaeffer’s life, but it is the best so far. - Spurgeon, Charles
Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore. This biography is too short, but serves as a great introduction to Charles Spurgeon. - Spurgeon, Suzie
Susie by Ray Rhodes Jr. So much of Charles’ ministry was enabled by the love and commitment of his wife. (See also Susannah Spurgeon by Mary Mohler.) - Tozer, A.W.
A.W. Tozer: A Passion for God by Lyle Dorsett. This is an honest, and at times painful, account of Tozer’s life. - Tyndale, William
William Tyndale: A Biography by David Daniell. An account of the man who gave us the Bible in English. - Whitefield, George
George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore. This biography of Whitefield is a massive two-volume set that tells the life of one of God’s more unusual servants. This may be one of the most impactful biographies you’ll ever read. - Wilberforce, William
Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas. Traces the life of the British politician who dedicated his life to revoking slavery.
Missionaries
There are many missionaries you ought to know. Here are a few of them:
- Carmichael, Amy
Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes by Iain Murray. A short but packed little biography of an important figure. - Judson, Adoniram
Adoniram Judson by Vance Christie. The very first foreign missionary to be sent from America. - Liddell, Eric
Pure Gold by David McCasland. An Olympic hero who left it all behind and died on the mission field. - Martyn, Henry
For the Love of India: The Story of Henry Martyn by Jim Cromarty. Martyn’s short career as a missionary was marked by dedication, honesty, transparency and sacrifice. - Stam, John & Betty
John & Betty Stam by Vance Christie. Christian martyrs who sparked a great resurgence of missionary fervor. - Taylor, Hudson
Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China by Vance Christie. A short but powerful account of the life of a man who was truly great in the Kingdom of God.
Politicians
Here are just a few of my favorite political biographies.
- Adams, John
John Adams by David McCullough. McCullough may be the best biographer alive today. - Churchill, Winston
The Last Lion (3-volume set) by William Manchester. It takes three volumes to do justice to a man with the legacy of Winston Churchill. - Lincoln, Abraham
A. Lincoln: A Biography by Ronald C. White Jr. This is a brilliant account of Lincoln’s life. - Truman, Harry
Truman by David McCullough – This is easily one of the best biographies ever written.
(For more recommendations, you may wish to see my reading project: Biographies of the U.S. Presidents.)
Other
Here are a few other figures whose biographies may interest you.
- Beecher, Henry Ward
The Most Famous Man in America by Debby Applegate. Ward was a fake, philanderer and apostate, but remained one of America’s most celebrated preachers in his day. - Jackson, Stonewall
Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend by James Robertson Jr. Jackson remains a fascinating figure and this is an incredible account of his life. - Jobs, Steve
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Jobs was a fascinating figure; Isaacson’s account of his life reveals him in all his strengths and weaknesses. - Schulz, Charles
A Charlie Brown Religion by Stephen J. Lind. Lind tells the story of the life of the Peanuts creator by focusing on his faith.
