Biographies

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

The first biography I read, recommended to me by my sister who is obsessed with Julius Caesar. Initially, I was intrigued by the works Schiff claims Cleopatra would have studied – including being able to quote The Iliad and The Odyssey, speaking several languages, and knowing exactly how to make a first impression. I guess I was surprised that a lot of the books we read in 10th grade were books that I took for granted as just... books. It's how you apply them and learn to read them that makes a difference.

Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki with Rande Brown

If you’ve read Jane Austen, you’re probably pretty familiar with “the ideal or accomplished woman,” but it’s interesting to see how different cultures interpret and embody this ideal. The practice of Geisha is not only a role, it is also an art of womanhood (at least, this is my understanding of it). Iwasaki’s memoires give an insight into this art and Japanese culture, as well as a candid view of a young woman growing within a society and eventually choosing to part with it. Time and language do not keep you from connecting with her journey or her determination. Very lovely.

The First Elizabeth by Carolly Erickson

THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW BOOKS ABOUT ELIZABETH I THAT IS NOT OBSESSED WITH WHY SHE DIDN’T HAVE SEX OR CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED THE VIRGIN QUEEN. That is why this biography is recommended above all others. The others were very irritating, and over 14 hours long on audible, and, I kid you not, at least 4 hours of one that I listened to was SOLELY dedicated to all the potential medical reasons that Elizabeth I might not have enjoyed physical intercourse. But if you really want that in your life…I have blocked out the name and author of that specific book as it was very traumatic for me. Seek away, therefore, lewd learner. This book is for historians.

Modern Etiquette Made Easy by Myka Meier

Lovely, honest, and keeps its promise :) Meier’s book is not only full of rules for etiquette (and you’re probably thinking… I know how to eat food), but it helped me come out of a four year self isolation stint with grace and impact and now I cannot shop at walmart, so.. There are other unintended side effects. But if you are looking for a personal, quick guide to upping your social game and basically being your best self, this. This is the book for you. I read it in 2021 and I have been determined to go to Beaumont Academy ever since. Not only that, but Meier also shares her story and her tips and that extra little memoire in there makes this book something special :)

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

I’m in a memoire kind of mood today. Anyway. Remember that whole self isolation stint I mentioned? This is the book that made me realize what kind of silliness I was actually doing but more so reminded me that I am a woman and that being a woman is something to be proud of and remembered, even with all the other hats and titles we might take on. It’s definitely a book about raising children and being a mother, but because of the added cultural perspective, it forced me to look at what I was doing with my life (aka not much) and start thinking about what I care about and respecting myself as a person. Recommended by another sister and I really wish I had read it sooner. Books find you when you need them though, you know?

Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras

My ideal collaboration/interview setting: Myka Meier and Evy Poumpouras get together and discuss their books. Because they are giving the same advice BUT WITH COMPLETELY DIFFERENT REASONS FOR DOING SO. I love this. I love that the same advice that protects you socially also protects you physically. And once again, you have a story of struggle and victory and overcoming challenges and I love this book. I love how you can’t work on yourself without becoming more confident and comfortable with who you are. I’m very much a paranoid person, so I love the advice on protecting myself and being able to handle any situation, but I also love knowing that there are rules and conventions to help you in social situations, and when you know them you know them. Also I love cheating at any game possible, so knowing the rules and being able to break them? Yes, please.  

Rani Lakshmibai by Nandini Nayar

One of my favorite things about this project is that I get to meet my friends in a new way. I asked my neighbor, Manmeen, who is from India, who she thought of when I said, “Impactful Women.” And the first person she said was Jhansi ki Rani, or the Queen of Jhansi. Now, as an American, I also love anyone who stands up to the British (Sorry, Britain -- and yes I did purposely leave off the Great), but Jhansi ki Rani’s story is interesting to me in that it is what most people would call a horrible failure. She led her people into battle and they got slaughtered by the British. BUT THEY FOUGHT. Women and children joined in the battle, they joined the cause that their men believed so much in, but had sort of given up on, and this charge and battle and the passion of this woman, this Rani, eventually helped India gain their independence from Britain. Which is why you cannot look at your actions and say that a failure is purely a failure. Failure is an attitude and a learning tool if you allow it to be. 

The Duchess by Amanda Foreman

Ah yes. You might recognize Kiera Knightly and the movie about the lovely Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. That movie is a travesty meant to sell you a tragedy and tug at your emotional heartstrings to support the sexual revolution/promiscuty of women. The book is about the woman who was in the unique position at her time to have more influence over the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales, the two most powerful people in Britain, than any other man at the time, including King George III (which was not difficult as it sounds as King George III was insane, but still, having more control than actual members of parliament?). If you want to read the story of an actual heroine who overcame hardships and influenced the course of history, then this is the story for you. 

Isabella: The Warrior Queen by Kirstin Downey

Ever wondered why the Queen is the most important and powerful piece in chess? Because of this woman right here. Isabella, the same Isabella and Ferdinand who send Columbus across the ocean blue in 1492, who led Spain into its Golden Age, who went against the wishes of her brother and married Ferdinand, who cut off her husband Ferdinand from being named King and having sole power instead of her, who united Aragon and Castille, and… introduced the Spanish Inquisition. Also the mother of Catherine of Aragon, the Catherine who married Henry VIII — *that will do, Herald, six generations are more than enough. Show us the patence* (name that movie). If you are under the impression that you have to be a man or more masculine to make an impact on generations, Isabella will prove you wrong. 

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser

There is no other monarch that conflicts me so much as Marie Antoinette. In some ways, I see her as being set up for failure from childhood, yet she had the makings of a great queen. When we discuss her, which we will in depth, it will be to discuss her shortcomings and the patterns she reveals that lead to actual and horrific failure, failure that you don’t exactly return from.

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy

Ok so the next like… six or seven books are about World War II and I didn’t mean to do that, but it was just fascinating, and WWII is a rare event in which you can look at so many different women who went through the same circumstances, but differently -- AND THEY'RE DOCUMENTED. This book looks at several different average American women, but basically gives you a resume of everything the US Armed Forces were looking for in women who would make an impact in the service, WHICH ALSO happens to be the same resume for what makes Women impactful in their daily lives. Also, as an English major, I am well aware that that sentence is… way too long. But it is punctuated correctly, so who cares?

Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl by Steven Bach

Leni Riefenstahl was not Hitler’s propaganda minister, but she was the film director for his propaganda films. I think it’s fair to say that Riefenstahl is a perfect example of what NOT to do… except that what she did to get where she was and the impact she made (which was equally as atrocious and immoral as what Hitler did) when she was there are worthy of looking at and evaluating. By no means is she an example of a good woman, but she did have influence, and we will discuss how she used it.

Marlene Dietrich: The Life by Maria Riva

In direct contrast to Leni Riefenstahl, we have Marlene Dietrich, another German woman in the film industry, yet one who denounced her German heritage when Hitler tried to associate himself with her and her work. Another interesting note is that this biography is part memoire written by her daughter, Maria Riva. A look into old Hollywood during WWII, into Hollywood’s war efforts, and into Dietrich herself. Insightful. Another conflicting biography (there are quite a few of them).

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell

For all my friends out there who are looking for a female spy: Look no further!! This is the story of Virginia Hall, a woman determined to serve and get ahead of the war in Europe. She was the most successful SOE agent in France, left once only to return in disguise to serve again. Later, she helped with the setup of the American CIA. One of my favorites. Warning: this book is a real kick in the pants, but in like... a good way. Like, "go out there and do hard things" kind of way.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Holland, 1942. Corrie Ten Boom was one of the many who helped Jewish families during the Nazi roundup in Holland. She and her sister were caught and taken to Ravensbruck for the rest of the war. Afterwards, Ten Boom traveled and talked about forgiveness and hope both within the camp and after the hardships of the war. Heart wrenching and inspiring.

The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany by Gwen Strauss

The French Resistance during World War II was made up of many women. I love this book because it gives another look into the lives and survival of women in the Resistance as well as the humanity of men and women during the war (and the lack thereof). Nine women escaped the march, and nine women lived and continued to change the lives of others after the war. I am not kidding when I say that every 10 seconds or so I started crying while listening to this book, and I am not a book crier, ok? Go out there and make a difference!

Madamoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History by Rhonda K Garelick

This book is fascinating. And, going back to my comments on Fonts before, I love how they have used the Chanel font on her book. Very fitting and a lovely choice that I think Coco Chanel would have approved. Ok. Useful information: yet another look at World War II (I did apologize beforehand) but with some interesting commentaries on how style and fashion played a role in the war, also how Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry for women.

Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon

If you have ever wondered if your short stay in a place has made a difference or an impact, please consider the story of Anna Leonowyn. Very much the story of a down on her luck woman with nowhere else to turn, in a country that was not her own, and yet she made a difference that is felt 150+ years later. Also the musical was not 100% wrong. Having listened to her story, it’s actually super sweet the way that they have incorporated Anna’s goals and hopes with the events that did not take place in the exact way they are portrayed, but with reverence to the events that did.

Self-Made Man: One Woman’s Year Disguised as a Man by Norah Vincent

So there are some books I read that I cannot recommend for certain reasons, and this is another one of them. I love this book and Vincent’s insights into men. While I was reading it, it was hard to think of anything else. The premise is this: Vincent went undercover as a man to prove the Feminist theory that men had life easier and that White Male Privilege is alive and well. Vincent ended up cutting her experiment short and spent the following months in a mental hospital, later commiting suicide. This is not the typical biography or memoire that I study for this podcast, but I will no doubt discuss it at some point and wanted to make sure you have the reference. Also, if you choose to read this book, keep in mind that it contains sexual content and a lot of swearing. This way you can’t say I didn’t warn you. 

Fly Girls by Kieth O’Brien

Oooo! Women who led the way in Aviation! Very cool to get to know each of them and learn why Amelia Erheart is the most famous aviatrix that we remember and think of today – and no, it’s not only because she disappeared in her flight across the atlantic. I’m also really excited to read her autobiography. The title of it is already exciting – “For the Fun of it”. Amy Adams did a good job of portraying and capturing the spirit of Amelia Erheart in Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian.

The Spy Wore Red by Aline, Countess of Romanones

So… while Virginia Hall was blowing up Nazi resources in France, the Countess was playing a game of cat and mouse in Spain. The trick here is that Spain is technically neutral, but Germany has spies and correspondents there, and the USA and Britain put spies in there too… So try not to get caught by the Spaniards (because they will be forced to kick you out in order to maintain their neutrality) or by the other team (because they’ll kill you). If you’ve ever wondered what was going on in Spain during World War Two, the Countess’s autobiography/memoire answers some of those questions… while most certainly writing a spy novel.

Also, it may be that this book is not 100% true, which I wondered about while I was reading it. There are some verifiable facts, and the Countess does address the fact that it does not all read as non fiction. I think she has taken some liberties, and after reading her bio on wikipedia, the Countess is... intriguing. So I'm going to do more research before we talk about this book.

House of Gucci: A True Story of Murder, Madness, Glamor, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden

Fascinating. I’m not really a business minded person, but this book was fascinating, seeing the business aspects of family and how personal and professional often get mixed up and lost. On the other hand, this biography is not so much about Patricia Reggiani, but her role in events and the changing of the company is pivotal to the story and the history of the company. Super interesting to see. Highly recommend. If you enjoy this book and have a second, I highly recommend watching Reborn Rich because it has similar dynamics. Family as a business and making money is a fascinating concept to me, since I sort of see family management and business management slowly becoming similar things (I know I said at the beginning that I'm not really business minded, but that was at the beginning of Tax season, and now it's the end), wherein if you don't have or are not working on gaining the skills that a manager requires for running and managing a business, it is very difficult to take care of a family. They are more similar than you might think -- certainly more than I thought. 

Once Upon a Time by J Randy Taraborrelli

Grace Kelly. I love her too. Her story is… not expected. In contrast to many of the other biopics about women, the writer of Kelly’s Biopic, Grace of Monaco, emboldened and gave Kelly more credit for her role as Queen of Monaco. I was very sad to discover this was not quite the case. For those who wonder what comes after the story writes the words, “and they lived happily ever after,” Kelly’s story tells the tale of the princess who married the prince. I recommend, but not the Audible version as it was abridged.

Renia’s Diary by Elizabeth Bellak, Renia Spiegel

Um. Wait until a really, really good day to read this book. Incredible, and I love her poetry, and it is haunting. Like Anne Frank, Renia Spiegel wrote about her life and her time during the war. I was not prepared for the ending. I don’t think it’s possible that anyone can be. I’m interested in reading Anne Frank’s diary and comparing the two, or considering the two side by side. 

In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park

Wow. Courtney introduced us to Korean Dramas in 2022, starting with Crash Landing on You. I knew that North and South Korea were divided politically and militarily, but I didn’t realize quite how much that divide affected people on both sides of the country. Park escapes from North Korea and writes her story from her youth, through her escape, and eventually into her role as an advocate for the people of North Korea living under the Communist regime. I’m actually really glad we watched Crash Landing on You just before reading this book because it made it easier to visualize the exact difficulties and oppression. Highly recommend.

For Such a Time as This by Kayleigh McEnany

I think Covid made everyone examine their politics. For me, I already knew what mine were, I just was not actively involved. When I got involved, I was immediately struck by the daily updates and press briefings led by McEnany. She was bold. She did not retreat from anything or make excuses. She gave the facts, and I appreciated it. And then her book was on Audible and I bought it. Herein, she discusses her strategies and reasoning behind her press briefings and how she was able to make that impact on me – probably not just me, but I can only speak for myself.

French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guilliano

I have never enjoyed eating more than after reading this book. So many American diet and nutrition books are following fads and lack any understanding of flavors and tastes and the JOY of eating food. But this book gives you the secret and the key to eating delicious food and being happy. And now I love going to the grocery store and I plan to learn how to make my own yogurt :)

See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur

This book conflicts me, again, because I disagree with Kaur’s political views. However, when I consider her book for the techniques and the skills she discusses of learning to know others and to know yourself, I generally agree with and find value in her work. Because of the conflict I feel toward this book, I will end my thoughts here. Overall, recommend.

Rebel by Rahaf Mohammed

Tami says, “It is an autobiography, so it is all from her perspective. Sometimes her perspective seems a little “jaded” by her experience, and a little one-sided, but it is enlightening.” But guess what? Tami is about as conflicted by this book as I am about Marie Antoinette. So. Yeah.