The Biography Book: A Reader's Guide To Nonfiction, Fictional, and Film Biographies of More Than 500 of the Most Fascinating Individuals of all Time

by Daniel S. Burt

Overview

From Marilyn to Mussolini, people captivate people. A&E's Biography, best-selling autobiographies, and biographical novels testify to the popularity of the genre. But where does one begin? Collected here are descriptions and evaluations of over 10,000 biographical works, including books of fact and fiction, biographies for young readers, and documentaries and movies, all based on the lives of over 500 historical figures from scientists and writers, to political and military leaders, to artists and musicians.

Each entry includes a brief profile, autobiographical and primary sources, and recommended works. Short reviews describe the pertinent biographical works and offer insight into the qualities and special features of each title, helping readers to find the best biographical material available on hundreds of fascinating individuals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781573562560
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/28/2001
Pages:	640
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.38(d)

About the Author

Daniel S. Burt has been a college literature professor at New York University and Wesleyan University for more than 20 years. He received his doctorate from New York University, specializing in the Victorian novel. Daniel Burt has taught courses on 19th- and 20th-century fiction, most recently in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at Wesleyan University. He is the author of What Historical Novel Do I Read Next?, a reader's guide to nearly 7,000 historical novels, and The Literary 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Novelists, Playwrights, and Poets of All Time.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Author Index
Title Index
Occupation Index
Nataionality Index
Time and Place Index
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

Burt provides a reliable, current, and useful guide for general readers. Recommended for public and small college libraries.” —Choice

“[M]erits a place in most libraries.” —Reference Reviews

“Thorough indexing is crucial in readers' advisory guides, and this volume provides several indexes to facilitate access to the listings. . . . Burt . . . has provided librarians with a valuable tool.” —Reference Books Bulletin/Booklist

“We were delighted that the author added biographies for young people in most of the entries, but the principal focus is on the serious adult collection. Recommended as an excellent selection guide for larger collections.” —Blanche Woolls & David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

“This very valuable annotated index of English biographical sources is up to date and includes several works from 2000.” —American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher

Essentially a reader's guide to biographies, this reference lists both books and films on over 500 notable individuals in history. Arranged alphabetically by last name, the entries open with an annotated listing of autobiographical materials, such as letters, diaries, or memoirs. Following is an annotated listing of "Recommended Biographies," "Other Biographical Studies," "Biographical Novels" (in which the figure's life is given a fictional interpretation), "Fictional Portrayals" (in which a historic figure appears as a character in a novel), "Recommended Juvenile Biographies," "Biographical Films and Theatrical Adaptations," and "Other Sources," such as chronologies and sourcebooks. All of the annotations provide useful summaries of the works. Concluding the volume are six different indexes: author, title, subject, nationality, occupation, and time/period/place. Burt (literature, New York Univ. and Wesleyan Univ.; What Historical Novel Do I Read Next?) selected the historical figures based on the number of books on a given subject held by the libraries in the state of Connecticut. He did not include any living people. While some obvious books are missing owing to their recent publication (e.g., David McCullough's John Adams), other omissions, such as most of the "Penguin Lives" series, seem odd. Nevertheless, this book is recommended both for reader's advisory services and for reference desks where the demand justifies the price. Neal Wyatt, Chesterfield Cty. P.L., VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

This reference identifies and assesses the biographical material available on the most written-about historical figures. Burt (literature, New York U. and Wesleyan U.) presents about 500 entries that help readers identify biographical books and films available on a particular individual and to help judge whether a title is of interest or will meet specialized or general interests. Coverage begins with available autobiographical material, recommended biographies, other biographical studies, biographical novels, fictional portraits, recommended juvenile biographies, and biographical films and theatrical adaptations. Each entry concludes with available reference guides. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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