Best Mid Atlantic U.S. Biographies Books of 2025

Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is a poignant and raw memoir that chronicles his journey after the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a member of the British royal family and the struggles he faced dealing with grief, trauma, and mental health. Spare is a landmark publication that is full of insight, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the power of love over grief. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the British royal family and the human experience of loss and healing.

Scattered Minds by Dr. Gabor Maté is a groundbreaking guide to understanding, treating, and healing Attention Deficit Disorder. Maté challenges the commonly held belief that ADD/ADHD is a genetically based illness and instead offers hope and advice to those who live with the condition. Drawing on his own experience as an ADD sufferer and parent of diagnosed children, Maté explains that environmental stress is a significant factor in the development of ADD. This book provides essential and life-changing reading for the millions of ADD sufferers in North America today.

This book, published by Zeronic, is a perfect gift for those who want to immerse themselves in the year 1973. It includes over 220 iconic images, 25 vintage ads, and a comprehensive overview of politics, leading events, crimes, movies, TV shows, music, sports, pop culture, fashion, and technological advancements that shaped the world as we know it today. The book strikes a perfect balance between serious and popular events, making it an unforgettable time travel experience. Overall, this book is a great way to celebrate a special year and relive the remarkable moments of history that made it unique.

Against All Odds is a gripping account of American courage during World War II. The book follows the untold story of four soldiers who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroism. Author Alex Kershaw taps into personal interviews and primary sources to provide a ground view of combat and the seismic forces that drew these men to the killing grounds of war. Kershaw delivers his most captivating account yet of American courage in this book, making it a perfect summer read for any military history buff.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly is a memoir by Anthony Bourdain, the renowned host of Parts Unknown. In this book, Bourdain shares his experiences in the culinary world, revealing the shocking truth about what happens behind the kitchen door. From his first oyster to his position as a dishwasher, Bourdain's tales are as passionate as they are unpredictable. With his take-no-prisoners attitude and deliciously funny writing style, Kitchen Confidential is a must-read for gourmands and philistines alike. This memoir will make your mouth water while your belly aches with laughter.

"Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America" by Maggie Haberman is a #1 New York Times bestseller that chronicles the life and presidency of Donald J. Trump. The book, based on hundreds of interviews with sources and Trump himself, delves into the complexities and contradictions of the 45th president, portraying him as a man capable of both kindness and casual cruelty. Haberman's book is a uniquely illuminating portrait of the man who pushed American democracy to the brink. Overall, "Confidence Man" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Trump phenomenon and its impact on the United States."

Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop is a remarkable portrait photography book that takes readers on a journey through the history of hip-hop from old-school to alternative hip-hop and from analog to digital photography. It features rare outtakes from over 100 photoshoots alongside interviews and essays from industry legends, offering an intimate look at hip-hop spanning almost 40 years. The use of contact sheets adds interest and gives readers a look into the process of capturing iconic album covers, t-shirts, and posters beloved by hip-hop fans today. Overall, it is an enlightening and fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of hip-hop and photography.

The Tender Bar: A Memoir is a beautifully written memoir by J.R. Moehringer, now adapted into a major Amazon film directed by George Clooney. The memoir tells the story of J.R.’s childhood and his search for masculinity and identity. The bar on the corner became his sanctuary and the men inside, his father figures. The book is a moving and poignant depiction of a boy’s struggle to become a man, and the fierce love between a single mother and an only son. Overall, The Tender Bar is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted memoir and an unforgettable story of self-invention and escape.

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon is a National Book Award-winning, bestselling, and transformative masterpiece on depression. It covers personal, cultural, and scientific perspectives on the illness, drawing on the author's own experiences and interviews with fellow sufferers, doctors, scientists, and more. The book includes a major new chapter covering recently introduced and novel treatments, suicide and anti-depressants, pregnancy and depression, and much more. With uncommon humanity, candor, wit, and erudition, Solomon takes readers on a journey of incomparable range and resonance into the most pervasive of family secrets. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand depression and its impact on individuals and society.

"Tiger Woods" by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian is a comprehensive and captivating biography that delves into the life of one of the greatest golfers of all time. Based on years of reporting and hundreds of interviews with people from every corner of Woods's life, the book provides a richly reported answer to the question that has mystified millions of sports fans for nearly a decade: who is Tiger Woods, really? Benedict and Keteyian construct a captivating psychological profile of a mixed-race child programmed by an attention-grabbing father and the original Tiger Mom to be the "chosen one," to change not just the game of golf, but the world as well. This book is an immersive and thought-provoking read that will linger in the minds of readers for years to come."