The best 29 Bedtime Biographies books

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind (1970) is a starter’s guide to Zen Buddhism. These blinks explain how Zen is not only a system of meditation, but also a philosophy of life. They describe how to sit, breathe and observe while maintaining a vital connection to the present moment.

• Overachievers and perfectionists
• Students of yoga, Zen or meditation
• Seekers of equanimity and balance

Narrated by Oliver Mains

Music by Federico Coderoni

Shoot for the Moon (2019) provides a riveting, wide-ranging account of the early space race. It guides you through the historic Apollo 11 mission which first landed humans on the moon, and sheds light on the legacy of the preceding missions that paved its way.

• Anyone interested in the space race and the Cold War
• Science geeks interested in NASA’s early endeavors
• Future astronauts who need to do their homework

Narrated by Marston York

Music by Federico Coderoni

Queen of Fashion (2006) unveils the untold ways in which Marie Antoinette, with her iconoclastic sense of fashion and rebellious nature, challenged the status quo of 18th century French court. Expressing herself through daring originality, her story reveals a great deal about the revolutionary politics that make up the history of both fashion and France.

• Fashionistas wanting to know more about the link between power and clothing
• Francophiles obsessed with Marie Antoinette
• History students interested in the French Revolution

Narrated by Valeri Ross

Music by Federico Coderoni

Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom (2004) sheds light on the fascinating life of Harriet Tubman, a pioneering woman who not only escaped the bonds of slavery, but also helped hundreds of others do the same. The book also offers insights on her vital role in the American Civil War, and in the fight for equal rights for women and African-Americans.

• People of all ages seeking an inspirational story
• Amateur historians who love learning more about the Civil War era
• Activists and advocates for civil and women’s rights

Narrated by Marston York

Music by Federico Coderoni

Me (2019) is Elton John’s autobiography. It takes a deeper look into the singer’s troubled childhood, his struggles with addiction, and the roles they played in shaping who he is. They also explore his path to stardom, and the celebrity drama he’s encountered along the way.

• Music buffs looking for fresh insights
• Fans of inspiring true stories
• Lovers of autobiographies

Narrated by Valeri Ross

Music by Federico Coderoni 

Born a Crime (2016) is about comedian and television host Trevor Noah's childhood and adolescence in apartheid-era and post-apartheid South Africa. A child of mixed heritage, Born a Crime details the challenges Noah faced and the social paradoxes that existed as he was growing up.

• Trevor Noah fans
• Those interested in life during and after apartheid in South Africa
• Anyone after an inspiring personal story

Narrated by Oliver Mains

Edison (2019), tells the story of Thomas Alva Edison, the most famous inventor of all time. Edison is seen by many as an almost mythical figure; an untouchable genius of invention rather than a fallible human being. In Edison, we learn about the real Thomas Edison, the flawed family man, the clever business leader, the creative whirlwind.

• Anyone interested in how the most famous inventor approached creativity
• Those who want to know how the modern world was shaped
• Fans of inventors and engineers

Narrated by Valeri Ross

Music by Federico Coderoni

Notorious RBG (2015) chronicles the life story of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. From her childhood in Brooklyn – when she was known by her nickname, Kiki – to capturing the public imagination with her scathing dissents on the bench, these blinks portray one woman’s relentless fight to give American women and men equal rights under the country’s legislation.

• Millennials interested in the life of America’s most unassuming pop icon
• Students of US history, law, and politics
• Social activists and feminists looking for inspiration

Narrated by Jeannette Robinson

Music by Federico Coderoni

Yes I Can (1965) is the bestselling autobiography of Sammy Davis Jr, viewed as one of the best autobiographies of all time. Written halfway through his life, it tells the story of how Davis battled racism, poverty and discrimination to become a star. Starting with his difficult childhood, it traces his life from his vaudeville days to his time as one of the most famous men in America. 

• Fans of Sammy Davis Jr
• Anyone who wants to learn more about racism in 20th-century America
• Fans of vaudeville and Broadway

Narrated by Cathleen McCarron

Music by Federico Coderoni

Napoleon the Great (2014) is an in-depth look into the life and times of the infamous French conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte. These blinks detail how Napoleon, once a penniless young man, became a general at the age of 24 before going on to revolutionize the French military and government, and leaving an indelible mark on European and world history. 

• History buffs
• Students of European and military history 
• Anyone interested in a truly fascinating life story

Narrated by Jeannette Robinson

Music by Federico Coderoni

Hidden Figures (2016) reveals the untold story of the black female mathematicians who helped send John Glenn on his first orbit around the Earth and Neil Armstrong to the moon. These courageous, trailblazing women answered the call of duty by leaving their teaching jobs in segregated Southern schools behind and helping to shape the modern space program. 

• Women in engineering 
• Those interested in the true history of the space program
• Students of politics, science and history

Narrated Valeri Ross

Music by Federico Coderoni

Black Spartacus (2020) tells the story of Toussaint Louverture, one of the leading figures in the Haitian Revolution in the late eighteenth century. It explores how Louverture, a man born into slavery, managed to overcome his position in society to lead the enslaved people of Haiti to first their freedom and then their independence from France. It was the first successful slave rebellion in history. 

• Students of postcolonial history
• People who want to be inspired by figures in history
• Anyone interested in the history of Haiti or the Americas

Narrated by Jeannette Robinson, with music by Federico Coderoni

The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt (1961) tells the life story of one of twentieth-century America’s greatest figures. First Lady, statesperson, tireless campaigner against injustice and inequality – Eleanor Roosevelt was many things. In her autobiography, she takes us through her life, from an awkward childhood to her marriage to FDR to her key work with the United Nations.

• Anyone interested in how Eleanor Roosevelt helped shape twentieth-century America.
• Those who want to relax and enjoy a fascinating story
• Fans of history, politics and statecraft

Narrated by Montae Russell

Music by Federico Coderoni

The Autobiography Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1998) is a firsthand account of the life and work of one of the most important figures in recent American history: Martin Luther King Jr. Assembled from his writings, letters, interviews, and speeches, this autobiography tells of King’s journey from Christian minister in the segregated South to the leading figure of the civil rights movement. 

• History and political buffs
• Citizens concerned with issues of racial, social, and economic justice
• Anyone looking to educate themselves on Black American history

Read to you by Karen Cass.

In East Germany, a spy agency called the Stasi built the most sophisticated surveillance network the world has ever seen. For almost 30 years, East Germans were confined physically by the Berlin Wall, but the Stasi’s network of spies and informers was responsible for keeping them in check mentally. It’s hard to imagine what everyday life is like for victims of a surveillance state. Stasiland is their story.

• Cold War buffs
• People interested in true-life espionage
• History fans

Two Nobel Prizes, brilliant scientific breakthroughs, tragic losses, tireless work in the hospitals of the First World War: Marie Curie had an eventful life. In this Bedtime Biography, we will tell the story of Marie Curie, and introduce you to the woman behind the many myths.

• Those interested in the history of science
• Fans of biographies
• Parents in search of female role models

Narrated by Cathleen McCarron

Music by Federico Coderoni  

Isaac Newton (2003) takes readers on an insightful tour of the life and mind of one of history’s greatest thinkers. It’s more than a plain account of Newton’s life and accomplishments. Instead, we get a revealing glimpse of his habits, obsessions and eccentricities. It all makes for a revealing and rewarding biography.

• Students of history
• People interested in learning how the modern world was shaped
• Scientists curious about the mythology behind their interests

Narrated by Alex Vincent

Frida (1983) tells the story of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. You've seen her striking art on tote bags and t-shirts, but how many of you know of her extraordinary life. Frida explains how Kahlo's upbringing and political awakenings underpinned her art. It also shines a light on her relationship with muralist and fellow political activist, Diego Rivera.

• Anyone interested in one of the most influential artists of all time
• Fans of Frida Kahlo
• Those curious about the intersection of politics and art

Narrated by Marston York

Florence Nightingale (1951) tells the legendary story of the “Lady with the Lamp,” the famed nurse who arrived to soothe the souls of those wounded in the Crimean War. It chronicles her journey to the conflict’s horrific medical barracks, and how she used her experiences to forever change the way hospitals are run and how the sick are treated. 

• People interested in amazing life stories
• Those curious about life and hardships during Victorian times
• History buffs

Read to you by Marston York.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World (2004) tells the fascinating story of Genghis Khan, the man who founded the great Mongol Empire. Today, he’s remembered as a ruthless, violent conqueror who thrived on bloodshed and destruction. What has largely been forgotten, though, is how he united disparate peoples, fostered trade and modernization, and advanced democracy – and in so doing, ushered in the modern world.

• History buffs
• Global citizens interested in the roots of the modern world
• Anyone with preconceived notions about the Mongol Empire

An honest and thorough rendering, this award-winning work chronicles the public and personal challenges that came to define the political life of civil-rights activist Rosa Parks. Among other details of her activism, those presented here set the record straight on the personality that sparked the well-known bus boycott, which became a key moment in the civil rights movement.

• Political historians looking to build on the details of this popular icon of the civil rights movement
• People interested in learning about the struggle for equal rights in the United States
• Anyone interested in a reflective and inspiring story

Narrated by Karen Cass

Vindication (2006) tells the inspiring, thrilling, and often tragic tale of the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, known today as the founder of modern feminism. Drawing on significant moments in Wollstonecraft’s life, from her childhood in an abusive household to her experiences co-founding a school and living in Revolutionary France, it paints a picture of a woman who was as complex as she was brilliant. Throughout every stage of her life, Wollstonecraft was truly an original thinker, and her influence on feminist thought continues to ring out today.

• Feminists and people interested in the history of women
• Fans of stories about tragic heroes
• Anyone fascinated by the personal lives of famous historical figures

Margaret Thatcher: The Autobiography (2013) is the definitive account of the Iron Lady. Covering everything from her upbringing to the political battles that defined her time in office, this memoir sheds light on the thinking and values of Britain’s most transformative twentieth-century leaders. 

• History buffs
• Anglophiles
• Politicos

From Here to the Great Unknown (2024) offers a deeply personal account of growing up in the shadow of fame, loss, and family tragedy. It also recounts the multi-generational experiences of dealing with heartbreak of addiction and suicide, revealing the unbreakable bonds that hold us together, even in the darkest times. 

• People interested in the Presley family legacy
• Fans of celebrity memoirs
• Anyone coping with loss and grief

A Grief Observed is a deeply personal account of C.S. Lewis's journey through grief and loss following the death of his wife. Through raw and honest reflections, Lewis grapples with the profound questions of faith, love, and the meaning of life in the face of overwhelming sorrow. This poignant book offers a unique perspective on the universal experience of grief.

• Those experiencing grief and seeking comfort and understanding
• Individuals interested in exploring the depths of human emotions and the nature of suffering
• Readers looking for profound insights on life, love, and loss

A Long Way Home is a memoir by Saroo Brierley that tells the incredible true story of his journey from being lost in India as a young child, to being adopted by an Australian family, and finally using Google Earth to track down his birth family. It is a heartwarming and inspiring tale of resilience, determination, and the power of love.

• Those who are interested in true stories of resilience and determination
• People who appreciate personal narratives that explore themes of identity and belonging
• Readers who enjoy stories of cross-cultural experiences and the power of human connection

A Midwife's Tale is a fascinating historical account of Martha Ballard, a midwife in 18th-century Maine. Through meticulous research and analysis of Ballard's diary, author Laurel Thatcher Ulrich brings to life the challenges and triumphs of women in early America. This book offers a unique perspective on the role of midwives and the everyday lives of women during a pivotal time in history.

• People who are interested in history from a personal perspective
• Readers who enjoy biographies and personal narratives
• Individuals who want to learn about the experiences of women in the past

This heartwarming true story follows a veterinarian named Harry Colebourn who adopts an orphaned bear cub and names her Winnie. Set during World War I, the book recounts the incredible journey of Winnie and the bond she forms with Harry, ultimately leading her to become the inspiration for A.A. Milne's beloved character, Winnie-the-Pooh. A tale of friendship, love, and the power of storytelling, "Finding Winnie" is a delightful read for all ages.

• Parents and caregivers who want to teach children about history and the power of love
• Readers who enjoy heartwarming and beautifully illustrated true stories
• Anyone interested in the origins of the beloved character Winnie the Pooh

This memoir by Richard Rodriguez explores the author's experiences growing up as a Mexican-American in California and his journey to assimilate into American culture. It delves into themes of identity, education, and the complexities of cultural and linguistic assimilation. Through his personal story, Rodriguez offers a thought-provoking reflection on the challenges and rewards of navigating between different cultural worlds.

• Readers interested in exploring the complex relationship between education and identity
• Individuals seeking insights into the immigrant experience in America
• Those who want to delve into the effects of assimilation on personal and cultural identity