The best Historical and Documentary suggested and reviewed by Escalating Knowledge.

The Story of My Experiments with Truth by author Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, is one of history’s most revered spiritual and political leaders. His autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, chronicles his pursuit of truth and nonviolence throughout his life in South Africa and India. Originally published in weekly installments between 1925-1929, Gandhi's autobiography provides rare insight into the philosophical underpinnings behind his fight for civil rights and India’s independence from British rule. The book details the events, relationships, and internal struggles that shaped his satyagraha theory and peaceful resistance movements.

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Santa Evita by author Tomás Eloy Martínez

The aura of Eva "Evita" Perón, Argentina's legendary First Lady, has captivated the world's imagination for over half a century. Yet much about her dramatic life story remains shrouded in mystery and controversy. In Santa Evita, acclaimed Argentine writer Tomás Eloy Martínez attempts to peel back the layers of myth surrounding this compelling historical figure. Written in Martínez’s richly descriptive prose, the book opens in 1955 upon the startling discovery of Evita's perfectly preserved corpse in a crypt in Italy - stolen and hidden there for over two years after her death.

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Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by author Jung Chang

Imagine a book that holds within its pages not just a story, but a century of China's tumultuous past. A book that traces the lives of three women, each shaped by the tides of change, yet bound together by the threads of family and resilience. That book is "Wild Swans" by Jung Chang, and it is an invitation to journey through a world where history bleeds into the intimate lives of women, where personal struggles mirror the upheaval of a nation.

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Diana: Her True Story by author Andrew Morton

As someone fascinated by the British royal family, I’m always on the lookout for revealing, behind-the-scenes looks into the inner workings of that polished, dignified institution. So when Diana: Her True Story was published in 1992, I quickly snapped it up, expecting a juicy, tabloid-style tell-all. But what I got from Andrew Morton’s groundbreaking biography was far more profound and impactful.

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Man’s Search for Meaning by author Viktor Frankl

What does it mean to live a meaningful life? That's the central question at the heart of Viktor Frankl's classic work, "Man's Search for Meaning." First published in 1946, this book has sold over 16 million copies and has been ranked among the 10 most influential books in America. As we struggle with a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social unrest, Frankl's message of finding purpose and meaning feels more relevant than ever. In this transformative book, Frankl chronicles his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during WWII. He lost his pregnant wife, both parents, and brother in the Holocaust. Despite enduring immense suffering, Frankl realized that even in the bleakest circumstances, life can still have purpose and meaning. His revolutionary approach known as logotherapy shifted psychotherapy's focus away from "what's wrong with you" to "what meaning will you find in life." This seminal work lays out Frankl's theories that our primary drive in life is not pleasure (as Freud maintained) or power (as Alfred Adler argued) but meaning. Let's explore the profound insights he gained as we follow one man's extraordinary search for meaning.

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Long Walk to Freedom by author Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom chronicles his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in rural South Africa to becoming the legendary anti-apartheid revolutionary and first democratically elected President of South Africa. Published in 1994 after Mandela’s release from 27 years of political imprisonment, this gripping memoir provides unparalleled insight into the struggles and sacrifices that defined his life.

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