I love to read biographies. I enjoy other genres too, but biographies are my favorite. Where other books describe about strengths and weaknesses, biographies display those strengths and weaknesses. Here is a selection of biographies I recommend.
Christians You Should Know
Here is a selection of important Christians you should get to know.
Bunyan, John
Fearless Pilgrim: The Life and Times of John Bunyan
A fast-paced and interesting account of Bunyan’s life.
Calvin, John
Gordon does an especially good job of setting Calvin within his historical context, showing how the theologian was a product of his time, his nation, his church.
Chambers, Oswald
Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God
Introduces a new generation to the author of My Utmost For His Highest.
Edwards, Jonathan
This is a powerful biography of a very important theologian.
Jones, Peter
This tells the story of a Canadian member of the Ojibwa tribe who became a powerful preacher.
Keller, Timothy
However you tell the history of Christianity at the dawn of new millennium, it needs to include Keller.
Lewis, C.S.
McGrath portrays Lewis as an eccentric genius and a reluctant prophet.
Livingstone, David
This is a large and excellent biography of a key figure in world missions
MacArthur, John
Murray did not set out to write a full-length biography. But since he did, it is well worth reading.
Newton, John
There is much more to Newton than “Amazing Grace.”
Williams, Jeff
The life of a NASA astronaut who is also a serious Christian. Fast-paced, interesting, and well-written. Highly recommended!
Packer, J.I.
J.I Packer: An Evangelical Life
This is an enjoyable account of Packer’s life, though it may leave you wanting more.
Shaeffer, Francis
Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life
This will probably not be the definitive account of Schaeffer’s life, but it is the best so far.
Spurgeon, Charles
This biography is too short, but serves as a great introduction to Charles Spurgeon.
Spurgeon, Suzie
much of Charles’ ministry was enabled by the love and commitment of his wife. (See also Susannah Spurgeon by Mary Mohler.)
ten Boom, Corrie
If you are not familiar with Corrie ten Boom you will appreciate this as an introduction to her life and influence; if you are, you will appreciate it as a different telling that includes some new facts.
Tozer, A.W.
This is an honest, and at times painful, account of Tozer’s life.
Tyndale, William
An account of the man who gave us the Bible in English.
Whitefield, George
This biography of Whitefield is a massive two-volume set that tells the life of one of God’s more unusual servants. This may be one of the most impactful biographies you’ll ever read.
Wilberforce, William
Traces the life of the British politician who dedicated his life to revoking slavery.
Missionaries
There are many missionaries you ought to know. Here are a few of them:
Carmichael, Amy
Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes
A short but packed little biography of an important figure.
Judson, Adoniram
The very first foreign missionary to be sent from America.
Liddell, Eric
An Olympic hero who left it all behind and died on the mission field.
Lloyd, Davy & Natalie
Written by Davy’s parents about the young missionaries murdered in Haiti in 2024. It is good for us to know that there are martyrs today as there have been in every day for the past 2,000 years.
Martyn, Henry
For the Love of India: The Story of Henry Martyn
Martyn’s short career as a missionary was marked by dedication, honesty, transparency and sacrifice.
Stam, John & Betty
Christian martyrs who sparked a great resurgence of missionary fervor.
Taylor, Hudson
Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China
A short but powerful account of the life of a man who was truly great in the Kingdom of God.
Politicians
Here are just a few of my favorite political biographies.
Churchill, Winston
The Last Lion (3-volume set)
It takes three volumes to do justice to a man with the legacy of Winston Churchill.
Brief biographies from Washington and Jefferson to Trump and Biden, each focused on moral strengths and weaknesses. Olasky is a talented writer whose work reminds me a great deal of David McCullough.
Other
Here are a few other figures whose biographies may interest you.
Beecher, Henry Ward
The Most Famous Man in America
Ward was a fake, philanderer and apostate, but remained one of America’s most celebrated preachers in his day.
Jackson, Stonewall
Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend
remains a fascinating figure and this is an incredible account of his life.
Jobs, Steve
Jobs was a fascinating figure; Isaacson’s account of his life reveals him in all his strengths and weaknesses.
Lande, Ashley
The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever
A conversion memoir out of psychedelics and the New Age. The writing is top-tier and so is her self-understanding.
Schulz, Charles
Lind tells the story of the life of the Peanuts creator by focusing on his faith.
Smith, Granger
A country musician’s account of the death of his son and of the path that led him from touring to seminary.
The first biography I have read whose subject was not a person but a congregation—150 years of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. It surprised me what a blessing it was.
(For more recommendations, you may wish to see my reading project: Biographies of the U.S. Presidents.)
