Biographies & Memoirs

Explore the stories of remarkable lives in our Biographies & Memoirs section at Thryft. Discover firsthand accounts of influential figures and captivating memoirs that'll inspire and educate. Our collection is carefully curated to ensure you find the perfect narrative to delve into.

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No Journey Too Tough: My Record-Breaking Attempt To Race In 10 Marathons In 65 Days Across 7 Continents - Thryft

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Author: by WILLIAM TAN (Author)
Format: Soft cover
Publisher: NUS SINGAPORE (2006)
Publication Date: 2006
Roadkill for Beginners

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Roadkill for Beginners could be a good read for poetry lovers who enjoy unconventional themes and styles. Chan's poetry collection is a mix of love letters to places, field guides, and adventures, exploring various complex themes such as desire, moving, and belonging with a unique lyrical style. The poems feel like a celebration of life and its quirks, and readers could enjoy the vivid imagery and the raw emotions conveyed in the collection.
127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
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If you're into real-life survival stories, "127 Hours" could be captivating for you. Imagine finding yourself gripped by the tale of Aron Ralston, who faced a harrowing choice in the wilds of Utah. His will to live, innovative thinking, and raw depiction of survival make his story not just inspiring, but a stark reminder of human resilience. You might find it a compelling blend of adventure and a testament to the human spirit.
Great-Uncle Harry: A Tale of War and Empire
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If you're drawn to narratives that blend personal discovery with historical intrigue, "Great-Uncle Harry" might resonate with you. Michael Palin leads us on a quest that is as much about family and memory as it is about the echoes of war. The book connects the past with the present through painstaking research that reveals not just a family member's life, but also a slice of world history. His storytelling could offer you both an emotional connection and a richer understanding of the Great War's personal impact.
If you've ever wondered about the daring spirit of adventurers, "The Greatest Adventure" offers an intimate look into the trials and victories of circumnavigating the globe in a balloon. Piccard and Jones's tale is both exhilarating and harrowing, revealing the courage it takes to forge through the unknown. The authenticity of their experience, facing unimaginable challenges in the stratosphere, is sure to inspire and capture the imagination of anyone who dreams of great exploits.
Coming to England - Thryft
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Floella Benjamin | Macmillan Children's Books

Coming to England

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Goodreads rating: 4.19

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"Coming to England" is for you if you're inspired by real-life stories of overcoming challenges and adapting to new environments. Floella's journey from Trinidad to England is not just a piece of history; it's a vivid, personal narrative that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. Her determination to succeed against the odds is as relevant today as it was then, making her memoir an empowering read that stays with you.
The Boat Who Wouldn't Float
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Farley Mowat | Starfire

The Boat Who Wouldn't Float

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Goodreads rating: 4.11

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If the sea calls to you, but life's kept it just out of reach, "The Boat Who Wouldn't Float" can serve as both a cautionary tale and a source of riotous fun. Mowat's knack for storytelling brings to life the boisterous journey of a man and his leaky boat. With each page, you'll feel the salty breeze and the exasperated love for a ship with a mind of its own. It's an adventure you wouldn't want to have, but would never want to end.
Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest - Thryft
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Stephen G. Michaud, Beck Weathers  | Dell

Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest

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Goodreads rating: 3.62

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If you've ever faced a mountain, literally or metaphorically, Beck Weathers' story in "Left for Dead" will resonate with you. This isn't just a tale of surviving against nature's harshest elements; it's a profound journey of personal redemption and the power of human spirit. The raw honesty with which Weathers confronts his relationship with climbing and its impact on his family life adds a layer of depth that extends beyond the thrill of survival. It reminds us of the strength we can summon in our darkest hours and the second chances life can offer.
A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains
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Isabella Lucy Bird | John Beaufoy Publishing

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

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Goodreads rating: 3.96

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Imagine stepping back into the unspoiled grandeur of the 1870s' American West with Isabella Bird as your guide. "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains" isn't just travel literature; it's a time machine wrapped in eloquent prose. Bird's candid letters offer an intimate glimpse of pioneering life, complete with all its perils and wonders. For anyone intrigued by personal tales of courage and adventure in the face of nature's majesty, this book promises an immersive journey.
Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure
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Artemis Cooper | John Murray

Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure

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Goodreads rating: 4.03

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This book is a captivating biography of Patrick Leigh Fermor, a war hero and renowned travel writer. It beautifully portrays his adventurous spirit and love for Greece. With access to his archives, the author brings to life Fermor's playfully crafted writings and his ability to inspire passionate friendship. If you have a wanderlust for travel and enjoy well-written biographies, this book is a must-read.
The Wild Truth
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Carine McCandless | Harperone

The Wild Truth

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Goodreads rating: 3.84

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The Wild Truth is a must-read for fans of Into the Wild who want to know the untold backstory of Chris McCandless and the dysfunctional family that pushed him to venture into the Alaskan wilderness alone. It sheds light on the harsh reality of domestic violence hidden behind a mask of prosperity and propriety, which ultimately inspired Chris to seek redemption in the wilderness. Carine's deeply personal memoir of her own search for redemption through speaking the truth is both touching and inspiring.
Into the Wild - Thryft
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Into the Wild

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Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild examines the true story of Chris McCandless, a young man who walked deep into the Alaskan wilderness and whose SOS note and emaciated corpse were found four months later.

In April 1992, Chris McCandless set off alone into the Alaskan wild. He had given his savings to charity, abandoned his car and his possessions, and burnt the money in his wallet, determined to live a life of independence. Just four months later, Chris was found dead. An SOS note was taped to his makeshift home, an abandoned bus.

In piecing together the final travels of this extraordinary young man's life, Jon Krakauer writes about the heart of the wilderness, its terribly beauty and its relentless harshness. Into the Wild is a modern classic of travel writing, and a riveting exploration of what drives some of us to risk more than we can afford to lose.

From the author of Under the Banner of Heaven and Into Thin Air. A film adaptation of Into the Wild was directed by Sean Penn and starred Emile Hirsch and Kristen Stewart.

'It may be nonfiction, but Into the Wild is a mystery of the highest order.' - Entertainment Weekly


Author: Jon Krakauer
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 224
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Publication Date: 01 Jul 2011
One Billion - A China Chronicle - Thryft
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Jay Mathews | Ballantine Books

One Billion - A China Chronicle

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Goodreads rating: 3.86

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This book is a must-read for those interested in gaining a deep understanding of life in China. The authors' personal narrative provides an insightful perspective on the perspectives of Chinese people, with a particular focus on how they cope with challenging living conditions and an authoritarian government.
Red Dust - Thryft
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Ma Jian | Vintage Books

Red Dust

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Goodreads rating: 3.85

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Red Dust is a must-read for those interested in China's recent history and culture. Through Ma Jian's insightful journey, readers can gain a unique perspective on China's societal challenges. The book is a compelling mix of beautiful descriptions of the country's natural beauty and commentary on the repressive nature of China's government in the 1980s.
The Art of Travel - Thryft
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Alain de Botton | Penguin Books

The Art of Travel

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Goodreads rating: 3.83

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Any Baedeker will tell us where we ought to travel, but only Alain de Botton will tell us how and why. With the same intelligence and insouciant charm he brought to How Proust Can Save Your Life, de Botton considers the pleasures of anticipation; the allure of the exotic, and the value of noticing everything from a seascape in Barbados to the takeoffs at Heathrow. Even as de Botton takes the reader along on his own peregrinations, he also cites such distinguished fellow-travelers as Baudelaire, Wordsworth, Van Gogh, the biologist Alexander von Humboldt, and the 18th-century eccentric Xavier de Maistre, who catalogued the wonders of his bedroom. The Art of Travel is a wise and utterly original book. Don’t leave home without it.
The Last Rhinos : The Powerful Story of One Man's Battle to Save a Species - Thryft
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When Lawrence Anthony learned that the northern white rhino, living in the war-ravaged Congo, was on the very brink of extinction, he knew he had to act. If the world lost the sub-species, it would be the largest land mammal since the woolly mammoth to go extinct. In The Last Rhinos , Anthony recounts his attempts to save these remarkable animals. The demand for rhino horns in the Far East has turned poaching into a dangerous black market that threatens the lives of not just these rare beasts, but also the rangers who protect them. The northern white rhino's last refuge was in an area controlled by the infamous Lord's Resistance Army, one of the most vicious rebel groups in the world. In the face of unmoving government bureaucracy, Anthony made a perilous journey deep into the jungle to try to find and convince them to help save the rhino. An inspiring story of conservation in the face of brutal war and bureaucratic quagmires, The Last Rhinos will move animal lovers everywhere.

Dive Into Real-Life Stories

Biographies and memoirs offer unparalleled insights into the lives and minds of individuals who've shaped our world. Be it political icons, celebrities, or unsung heroes, Thryft brings you a rich assortment of stories that reveal extraordinary experiences and life lessons. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the personal tales that have influenced history and culture.