The Biography Book

This is a handsome book, but care must be taken to be clear about its subject. The sub‐title is: A Reader’s Guide to Nonfiction, Fictional, and Film Biographies of More Than 500 of the Most Fascinating Individuals of All Time. A description of one of the entries should help clarify. Entry number 154 ‐ the entries are arranged alphabetically ‐ is Edward VII. After a brief biographical introduction come the sub‐headings: “Autobiography” and “Primary sources” (details here of the Personal Letters of King Edward VII); “Recommended biographies” (books by Christopher Herbert, Philip Magnus, and George Plumbtre); “Other biographical...