History is my favorite subject and will always be my favorite subject. History teaches me everything. I learned about obscure people that very few remember. I learned that not all wars are worth justifying. I learned all that I can remember about my favorite animal: cats. I learned that there was a entire language women used to communicate with fans before the modern era. Most importantly, I learned that the people we learn about in history are not as great as we think. They are ordinary people who don't always live up to the expectations of others. These are my favorite biographies of the not-so-great people who went down in history for their greatness.
1. "Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy" by Richard N. Côté.
My aunt encouraged me to get this book and it is most definitely my favorite biography of a woman. Theodosia is the daughter of Aaron Burr, Revolutionary War hero and U.S. Vice President. She was raised with the intention of remodeling post-Revolutionary War society's standards of women. She vanished at sea before seeing her legacy. You should read this biography to get a more detailed explanation of how women's rights and expectations have changed. Reading his biography helped me understand the most complicated and radical man during America's birth. I learned that a parent's relationship with his or her child means everything and that Aaron Burr acted in his daughter's best interest, while shouldering the consequences.
2. "Hitler" by Ian Kershaw.
I got this biography at a yard sale, and I was not disappointed. There are hundreds of biographies about Hitler on this planet; yet, this is the most fascinating. Kershaw not only goes into detail about Hitler's life, but also his father's. I used to think of Hitler as a psycho who was almost supernatural. He was human, but he acted on his failures in life. He saw those that wronged him as almost a different species. His desires were feed by his father's abuse and his mother's compliance. Hitler was thought to be great by his followers, and horrific by most people. As Kershaw states, Hitler was a negative greatness.
3. "Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel.
Dava Sobel tells the life of Galileo through his correspondence with his daughter. Galileo had multiple children out of wedlock. His relationship with his eldest daughter was the strongest, even though she was a nun. Galileo stayed in contact with Maria Celeste his entire life, and even inspired her choice of name when she took her vows. Even though he was thought a heretic because of his scientific notions, his daughter never abandoned him. "Galileo's Daughter" shows that a father's relationship with his daughter can withhold anything, even trial of heresy.
