Biography book suggestions?

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Just wondering if anyone has some good recommendations for specific biographies or autobiographies of Catholics which you have read that inspired you over the years. Am looking for some good Lenten reading, not necessarily bios of Saints, although many of those are very good. Possibly also some of those who have converted to Catholicism, etc., even if they’re not well known.
Thanks! Blessings to all.
 
How about “The story of a soul”? This is the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Then there is the biography of St. Teresa of Avila called “The progress of a soul.” I’m sure there are many more out there, including those about Mother Theresa of Calcutta. 👍
 
GK Chesterton’s biographies of St Thomas Aquinas and St Francis of Assisi are worth reading.
 
Christy_Beth said:
How about “The story of a soul”? This is the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Then there is the biography of St. Teresa of Avila called “The progress of a soul.” I’m sure there are many more out there, including those about Mother Theresa of Calcutta. 👍
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I’ve read “Story of a Soul,” and you’re correct. It was excellent. Will look into the others. Thanks so much!
 
PietroPaolo said:
GK Chesterton’s biographies of St Thomas Aquinas and St Francis of Assisi are worth reading.
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Ahhh…good thoughts. Some bios by certain authors aren’t as well written and interesting as others. Thanks!
 
DaddyGirl said:
"Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust"
By Immaculee Ilibagiza

Over 800 5-star reviews on Amazon…
take a look:

amazon.com/Left-Tell-Discovering-Rwandan-Holocaust/dp/1401908977

.
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Sounds excellent from the reviews - had not known of it. Going to try to get it from the library. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Hopefully it’s not filled with too many rough-to-read details, although I’m sure it discusses the horrendous happenings to some extent.
 
I am reading WIth God in Russia and He Leadeth me, two books by Walter Ciszek, an American Jesuit priest who was working in Russia and arrested by the communists and imprisoned for 26 years.

This is the second time I am reading these books.

I also love Fatherless, Motherless, and Childless - 3 fiction books by Brian Gail. These books start off clunkly, you are convinced that they are very predictable, but by the time you get to the end the plot turns will leave you reeling.

Story of a Soul is great, I never liked Chesterton, but I read him as a teenager; and I really should read them again as an adult.
 
Also excellent are George Weigle’s books on Pope JP II, and Benedict.

amazon.com/Witness-Hope-Biography-Pope-John/dp/0060732032/ref=la_B001IU2K72_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394112356&sr=1-3

amazon.com/The-End-Beginning-II-The-Victory/dp/0385524803/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

amazon.com/Gods-Choice-Benedict-Future-Catholic/dp/B001PO68NI/ref=la_B001IU2K72_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394112422&sr=1-10

Here is a joke from the Benedict book. Benedict was asked early in his pontificate after he released his biography - “What about your girlfriends. In your biography - there is no mention of you having a girlfriend.” Pope Benedict deadpanned - I had to keep the biography under 200 pages.
 
He was not a Catholic but was a pivotal figure in US history as an ex-Communist turned Christian. Everyone should read Whittaker Chambers’ autobiography “Witness.”
 
hilarycotter said:
I am reading WIth God in Russia and He Leadeth me, two books by Walter Ciszek, an American Jesuit priest who was working in Russia and arrested by the communists and imprisoned for 26 years.

This is the second time I am reading these books.

I also love Fatherless, Motherless, and Childless - 3 fiction books by Brian Gail. These books start off clunkly, you are convinced that they are very predictable, but by the time you get to the end the plot turns will leave you reeling.

Story of a Soul is great, I never liked Chesterton, but I read him as a teenager; and I really should read them again as an adult.
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I really like the sound of the Ciszek books, especially given what’s going on in Crimea right now. Thanks very much for all of your recommendations!
 
hilarycotter said:
Also excellent are George Weigle’s books on Pope JP II, and Benedict.

amazon.com/Witness-Hope-Biography-Pope-John/dp/0060732032/ref=la_B001IU2K72_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394112356&sr=1-3

amazon.com/The-End-Beginning-II-The-Victory/dp/0385524803/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

amazon.com/Gods-Choice-Benedict-Future-Catholic/dp/B001PO68NI/ref=la_B001IU2K72_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394112422&sr=1-10

Here is a joke from the Benedict book. Benedict was asked early in his pontificate after he released his biography - “What about your girlfriends. In your biography - there is no mention of you having a girlfriend.” Pope Benedict deadpanned - I had to keep the biography under 200 pages.
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Super! Thanks. Love the Pope Benedict quote about his past girlfriends! God bless.
 
PaulfromIowa said:
He was not a Catholic but was a pivotal figure in US history as an ex-Communist turned Christian. Everyone should read Whittaker Chambers’ autobiography “Witness.”
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Interesting - had not heard of it. Thanks for recommending, and God bless.
 
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen. Great read.

DGB
 
DoGodsBidding said:
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen. Great read.

DGB
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Thanks very much for that suggestion, DGB. Especially interesting in light of the news article I just read where a miracle is being attributed to his intercession — stillborn baby brought to life 61 minutes after being born. Mom had prayed for his help over and over when baby was stillborn in the hospital - he’s now 3 years old and named after him. One more such miracle, and he might be headed to Sainthood!
God’s blessings to you.
 
Ireland’s Saint: The Essential Biography of St. Patrick
by J. B. Bury
:shamrock2::irish3::shamrock:
 
bmaj said:
Ahhh…good thoughts. Some bios by certain authors aren’t as well written and interesting as others. Thanks!
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Another good one is “The Story of a Family-the Home of St. Therese of Lisieux” by Father Stephane-Joseph Piat. It is about her whole family. An interesting read.
 
St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography
by Philip Freeman
:shamrock2::irish3::shamrock:
 
American Saint: The Life of Elizabeth Seton
by Joan Barthel

:byzsoc::byzsoc::byzsoc:
 
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