2023 was a huge year for new biographies. With newly published works from some of the most well-known biographers, and some not-so-well-known biographers finding their way onto our curated list of 10 Best Biographies Released in 2023.
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In published order here are the 10 best biographies released in 2023
Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, by Ilyon Woo
Released on January 17, 2023 by Simon & Schuster
What’s it about
Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo chronicles Ellen and William Craft’s daring escape from slavery in 1848, disguised as master and slave, followed by their fight for freedom. The book explores love, courage, anti-slavery activism, and the global struggle for equality, offering a captivating and important piece of American history.
Rough Sleepers, by Tracy Kidder
Released on January 17, 2023 by Random House
What’s it about
Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder chronicles Dr. Jim O’Connell’s mission to bring medical care to Boston’s homeless population, specifically those enduring the harsh realities of street life. Kidder illuminates the struggles, resilience, and humanity of the homeless. Challenging readers to re-evaluate societal biases and consider the ethical imperative of caring for our most vulnerable members.
The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America, by Christopher C. Gorham
Released on February 21, 2023 by Citadel
What’s it about
The Confidante is a biography that illuminates the extraordinary life of Anna Marie Rosenberg, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who became FDR’s closest advisor during World War II, shaping critical national policies and leaving an indelible mark on 20th-century America, while exploring the challenges she faced as a woman, immigrant, and Jewish figure in the corridors of power.
King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig
Released on May 16, 2023 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
What’s it about
Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is a vivid and meticulously researched biography of Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader. The first major biography in decades, it incorporates recently declassified FBI files. Eig paints an intimate and revealing portrait of the courageous yet emotionally troubled King, shedding light on his complex relationships and personal struggles. From MLK’s family origins to his activism in Birmingham, Selma, and Memphis, the biography captures the journey of a man who reshaped American race relations and emerged as a modern-day founding father and mourned martyr.
The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man, by David von Drehle
Released on May 23, 2023 by Simon & Schuster
What’s it about
David von Drehle chronicles the extraordinary life of 109-year-old Charlie White, weaving his adventures as a doctor, jazz musician, and world traveler with timeless wisdom on resilience, curiosity, and the power of optimism. Through Charlie’s journey from Midwestern farm boy to centenarian sage, the book offers a heartwarming and inspiring celebration of living life to the fullest, embracing challenges with grit, and always seeking new experiences with wonder and joy.
The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts, by Loren Grush
Released on September 12, 2023 by Scribner
What’s it about
In the 1960s, NASA initially excluded women from its astronaut corps but later rectified the decision, selecting six elite women in 1978—Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon. Loren Grush’s “The Six” highlights their struggles with media scrutiny, sexism, and intensive training, showcasing their significant contributions to the space program.
Elon Musk, by Walter Isaacson
Released September 11, 2023 by Simon & Schuster
What’s it about
Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson rockets you into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur, charting his audacious goals from electric cars to Mars, while unmasking the risk-taker, complex man, and his world-altering legacy.
Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune, by Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe
Released on September 19, 2023 by Harper
What’s it about
A compelling tale of ambition, invention, and reinvention spanning from 1783, when German immigrant John Jacob Astor arrived in the U.S., to 2009, marked by Brooke Astor’s son’s conviction for defrauding her; tracing the family’s ascent from a beaver trapping business to Gilded Age prominence, entwined with pivotal moments like the Titanic tragedy, all skillfully chronicled by bestselling authors Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe in a page-turning historical biography, unveiling the profound impact of the Astor name on American history.
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, by Michael Lewis
Released on October 3, 2023 by W. W. Norton & Company
What’s it about
In Michael Lewis‘ Going Infinite, the enigma of Sam Bankman-Fried unfolds – a mathematical prodigy turned crypto-billionaire who built an empire (FTX) on daring bets and altruistic ideals, only to see it crumble under allegations of fraud, hubris, and the murky regulations of the digital frontier. This roller coaster ride delves into the mind of a tech icon, dissecting his unorthodox strategies, the allure of limitless wealth, and the ethical cracks that eventually brought it all crashing down.
The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend, by Rob Copeland
Released November 7, 2023 by St. Martin’s Press
What’s it about
Explore the untold story of Wall Street titan Ray Dalio in The Fund, a gripping exposé by New York Times journalist Rob Copeland. Despite Dalio’s global acclaim, Copeland unveils a darker reality behind the hedge-fund magnate’s cultivated image, revealing the toxicity of his promoted “principles.” Through interviews and captivating anecdotes, the book sheds light on the consequences of Dalio’s “radical transparency,” offering a cautionary tale about the intersection of wealth, power, and human nature.
As we wrap up 2023, it’s clear that the year brought a wealth of new biographies. Our curated list, the 10 Best Biographies Released in 2023, features works from both well-known and lesser-known biographers. We hope you find these stories as intriguing and diverse as we did. Cheers to a year of compelling narratives, and here’s to more great reads in the years to come.
