swap_horiz The Dirt Alternatives

1

Meditations

Meditations is a personal journal written by Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. It offers insights in...

Philosophy Memoir Roman Stoicism

9.5 Brilliant

2

If This Is a Man

If This Is a Man is a profoundly moving memoir by Primo Levi documenting his survival at Auschwitz. The book offers a st...

Wwii Holocaust Memoir Jewish

9.4 Excellent

3

Night

Night is a profoundly moving account of Elie Wiesel’s survival during the Holocaust. The book chronicles his experiences...

Wwii Holocaust Memoir Jewish

9.2 Excellent

4

The Periodic Table

Levi’s *The Periodic Table* is a profoundly moving account of the author's experiences during World War II. He meticulou...

Chemistry Science Memoir Jewish

9.1 Excellent

5

Dispatches

Michael Herr’s *Dispatches* offers a visceral account of the Vietnam War through the eyes of a war correspondent. Publis...

Journalism War Memoir Vietnam

9.0 Excellent

6

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi’s *When Breath Becomes Air* is a profoundly moving memoir detailing his journey from aspiring neurosurgeo...

Terminal Medical Memoir Mortality

8.9 Great

7

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! is a memoir by Nobel laureate Richard Feynman recounting his experiences as a physici...

Physics Science Humor Memoir

8.9 Great

8

Walden

Walden is Henry David Thoreau’s influential 1854 book chronicling his two-year experiment at Walden Pond. He sought to s...

Philosophy American Memoir Thoreau

8.8 Great

9

Homage to Catalonia

“Homage to Catalonia” details George Orwell’s time as a volunteer with the POUM militia in Spain's Republican zone durin...

Political War Memoir Spanish Civil War

8.8 Great

10

Shoe Dog

Shoe Dog is a compelling biography detailing the founding and development of Nike by Phil Knight. The book recounts the...

Business American Nike Memoir

8.7 Great

11

The Pianist

Wadyslaw Szpilman’s *The Pianist* is a powerful firsthand account of his experiences navigating the horrors of World War...

Music Wwii Holocaust Memoir

8.7 Great

12

West with the Night

Beryl Markham’s *West with the Night* details a remarkable life lived on the African frontier. This 1942 memoir recounts...

Adventure Africa Aviation Memoir

8.7 Great

13

An Unquiet Mind

Kay Redfield Jamison’s *An Unquiet Mind* offers a deeply personal account of living with bipolar disorder. The book deta...

Mental Health Medical Memoir Jamison

8.7 Great

14

Between the World and Me

Between the World and Me is a powerful memoir by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Written as an intimate letter to his son, it examines...

African American Social Memoir Race

8.7 Great

15

Born Standing Up

Born Standing Up details Steve Martin’s formative years in American comedy. The book recounts his relentless pursuit of...

Martin American Comedy Memoir

8.7 Great

16

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou’s *I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings* is a powerful memoir chronicling her journey through racial prejudice a...

African American Coming Of Age Memoir Civil Rights

8.6 Great

17

Just Kids

Just Kids is a memoir by Patti Smith detailing her profound friendship and artistic partnership with photographer Robert...

Music 1970S Memoir Art

8.5 Great

18

Scar Tissue

Published in 2004, this autobiography by Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis chronicles his musical career and...

Music Rock Memoir Red Hot Chili Peppers

7.5 Good

19

M Train

Patti Smith's 2015 memoir reflects on her life, her travels, and her deep grief following the loss of her husband, music...

Music Memoir Art Patti Smith

7.3 Good

20

Clapton: The Autobiography

Eric Clapton's 2007 autobiography details his legendary career as a British rock guitarist, his time in Cream, and his p...

Music Rock Clapton Blues

6.8 Fair