Biographies and Histories
September 27, 2012 | 12:34 PM

I agree on the subject of William Manchester. Besides his writing ability and his fair-mindedness, he's truly at his best dealing with difficult, complex characters. Read "American Caesar" to see him at his best.

Now, there is one other type of biographer who can deliver (if he's a good enough writer) greater insight than the standard academic writer: The man who's travelled the same road. Roy Jenkins' biography of Churchill is a case in point. Jenkins had been an MP and Cabinet Minister himself, so if anyone could understand Churchill's struggles it'd be jenkins. He'd been there himself.

Of course, for this to work the writer must be as skilled a writer, and as fair-minded, as, well, William Manchester.

Jim