The hottest Biography Substack posts right now

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Top History Topics

Inside the Catholic State

Wrong Side of History • 280 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💾 History Art history Religious history Cultural Studies Political History Biography
  1. Caravaggio's life and art were heavily influenced by the religious tensions of his time, particularly the struggles between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. This backdrop shaped his perspective and themes in his work.
  2. Milan during the Counter-Reformation was a strict Catholic state, ruled by figures like Carlo Borromeo, who enforced harsh religious laws. People faced severe punishments for crimes seen as against the faith.
  3. The Pope during this time, Pius IV, was known for his intolerance and refusal to consider differing opinions. His death led to violent celebrations, highlighting the public's discontent with oppressive rule.

How Miles Davis Hired John Coltrane

The Honest Broker • 8710 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎶 Music Jazz Artists Narrative Biography Music Industry
  1. Miles Davis hired John Coltrane out of necessity, as his band needed a saxophonist for an upcoming tour.
  2. John Coltrane's musical talent and knowledge of Miles Davis's repertoire impressed during tryouts, leading to his eventual hiring.
  3. Their initial interactions were characterized by Miles Davis's aloofness and Coltrane's uncertainty, but despite difficulties, Coltrane eventually joined Davis's band.

My Mormon Obsession

Castalia • 499 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
📚 Literature Essays Fiction History Biography Cultural critique
  1. The author has written two novels about Mormonism, despite having no personal connection to the religion. They find the history and stories surrounding Mormonism fascinating.
  2. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, had a unique background that influenced his development as a leader. His early life was marked by treasure hunting and a strong sense of individualism.
  3. Mormonism grew in a time of religious enthusiasm and many followers were drawn to its intellectual appeal. Smith's charisma and the communal experiences helped shape the church's early success.

Swindling Geologist 2 (Pt 2 of 2)

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 319 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
💾 History 19th century Biography Crime Naturalism
  1. A swindler pretended to be a geologist to steal valuable books and fossils. He was caught and went to jail but continued his con artist ways after being released.
  2. The swindler used different names and identities to deceive people and even stole microscopes from a university. His actions led to long prison sentences, but he kept going back to his old ways afterward.
  3. The success of these con artists was partly due to the trust placed in them by local naturalists and scientists. They were often seen as experts, which made their scams easier to pull off.
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"Were I a writer, and dead..."

Five’s Substack • 219 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
📚 Literature Criticism Theory Biography
  1. The idea of the 'death of the author' suggests that the author's intentions shouldn't dictate how we understand their work. Instead, we should focus on the text itself and what it communicates.
  2. Experiencing literary theory can be overwhelming and exciting, especially for students. It often opens the door to new questions and perspectives that challenge previous understanding.
  3. Roland Barthes encourages readers to think about the little details in life. Even small aspects, like a mark on someone's shoe, can carry deeper meanings and connections.

My Top 10 Books From 2023

The Pomp Letter • 3776 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fiction Biography Self-help
  1. Reading is a valuable way to learn and gain fresh ideas across different topics.
  2. Books recommended by successful individuals can provide insights and lessons applicable to personal and professional growth.
  3. Investing time in reading can be rewarding and essential for personal development and career advancement.

Kurt Cobain's Spiral Notebooks

Noted • 5051 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Biography
  1. Kurt Cobain left behind spiral notebooks with personal thoughts and writings.
  2. Jillian Hess's newsletter, Noted, was featured on Substack Reads and gained new subscribers.
  3. Readers can access more content by subscribing to Noted with a 7-day free trial.

My heart almost stood still

Letters of Note • 2220 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Biography Music
  1. Helen Keller expressed gratitude to the New York Symphony Orchestra for the joy of 'hearing' Beethoven's Ninth Symphony through touch
  2. Keller described feeling vibrations and rhythms from different instruments, recognizing voices, and being enraptured by the music
  3. The letter showcases Keller's deep appreciation for music and the beauty and majesty she perceived through touch

Todd Rundgren as a songwriter and performer: The Creator Series #3

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 219 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Performance Biography Artistic Process
  1. Todd Rundgren's early exposure to music shaped his career as a songwriter and performer. He found inspiration at a young age, often experimenting with different instruments and sounds.
  2. His journey through various bands, like The Nazz, showed his evolution as a musician and leader. He faced challenges in managing relationships within the band, especially when artistic differences arose.
  3. Rundgren's creative process includes a strong DIY attitude, blending his musical skills with innovation. He emphasized the importance of playing live and getting experiences over waiting for big opportunities.

The life of a common reader

The Common Reader • 1027 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Biography Reading Novels Writers
  1. Remember the importance of nurturing your inner self and being uniquely you instead of blindly imitating others.
  2. Biographies can reveal controversial and intimate details, sparking debates on how much should be shared, yet some believe in telling everything.
  3. Common readers play a vital role in keeping great works alive, shaping a legacy of love for reading that extends across generations.

"Oliver Heaviside. An Appreciation : The Personal Equation : The Work of a Genius Elucidated"

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🔬 Science Physics Engineering Mathematics History Biography
  1. Oliver Heaviside was a genius who contributed greatly to electrical science but was often misunderstood and neglected during his life. His work wasn't acknowledged until long after he had passed away.
  2. Heaviside developed important theories on cable signaling and electromagnetic waves, introducing many key terms that are still used today. His insights helped improve how signals could be transmitted over long distances, which was crucial for communication.
  3. Despite his brilliance, Heaviside lived a reclusive life and struggled financially. He preferred to work alone and only began to receive recognition later in life, which made him a complex figure in the world of science.

In search of America

Austin Kleon • 2437 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Travel Writing Biography American Literature Non-fiction
  1. Steinbeck felt out of touch with America after living abroad and wanted to reconnect by traveling. He had a strong urge to explore and escape the feelings of aging.
  2. He named his camper truck 'Rocinante' after the horse of Don Quixote, highlighting his adventurous spirit. The unique name also sparked curiosity during his travels.
  3. The book captures the essence of wanderlust and the desire to discover one's own country, reflecting on how age doesn’t diminish the yearning for adventure.

Declaration of an Independent

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 963 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📚 Literature Biography Autobiography Writing Reading Memoir
  1. Benjamin Franklin was a self-taught writer who used creative exercises to improve his style and vocabulary.
  2. Franklin's independence and determination are evident in his self-made man mentality and unique approach to life.
  3. His commitment to self-improvement, public service, and scientific innovation showcase his individualism and contribution to society.

Lessons from The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro

Dwarkesh Patel • 1592 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📚 Literature Biography Power Manipulation Empathy Influence
  1. To succeed, go beyond the norm and do everything necessary with intensity and attention to detail.
  2. Ambition can lead to unexpected alliances and outcomes as seen in the political career of Lyndon Johnson.
  3. Understanding and reading people is key in wielding power and influence, as exemplified by Johnson's ability to empathize and manipulate for his goals.

Miles Davis

Flow State • 569 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music Jazz Musician Album Biography Recommendation
  1. Miles Davis was an American trumpeter and composer known for his 'cool jazz' sound
  2. Davis incorporated funk, rock, and electronic styles into his music in the 70s
  3. One of Davis's notable albums, 'Agharta', captured a live performance in Japan

Iasos

Flow State • 589 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎶 Music Composer Albums Influence Biography
  1. Iasos was a Greek-American new age music composer who had a significant impact on the genre.
  2. He released albums like 'Inter-Dimensional Music' and 'Essence of Spring' which are known for their unique sound.
  3. Iasos passed away at the age of 77 but his music continues to inspire many listeners.

THE MIND OF SONNY ROLLINS

The Nelson George Mixtape • 452 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Musician Biography History
  1. Sonny Rollins was obsessed with study and rehearsal, enjoying practice more than performing for an audience.
  2. Sonny Rollins' music and philosophy were influenced by Buddhism, yoga, and the streets of New York.
  3. To learn more about Sonny Rollins, recommended readings include 'Saxophone Colossus' by Aidan Levy.

Late bloomers, Iliad, strategic romance, classic physics, Murdoch v Amis, Swift's grammar, opera boy, long sentences, Hayek/Mill/game theory

The Common Reader • 389 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book Reviews Classics Biography Comedy
  1. Late bloomers can achieve great success, like the 43-year-old tennis champion Rohan Bopanna
  2. Different paths lead to success - Larry David's comedy career took off in his 20s and 30s
  3. The journey to success may involve struggles and challenges before finding one's true calling

Recommended Books

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📚 Literature Biography Historical Analysis
  1. Brutus: The Noble Conspirator by Kathryn Tempest explores the life and legacy of Marcus Junius Brutus, the key conspirator against Julius Caesar.
  2. Tempest uses letters from Brutus and other figures like Cicero to offer insights into personal and political struggles of that time.
  3. The book raises questions on friendship, duty, and the ethics of tyrannicide, leaving readers to ponder Brutus' true motivations.

Parfit, by David Edmonds

The Common Reader • 1169 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy Biography Ethics Influence Interpretation
  1. Derek Parfit is a highly influential philosopher in moral philosophy, but relatively unknown outside academic circles.
  2. Parfit's life and philosophy are intertwined, with his actions reflecting his beliefs in altruism and empathy.
  3. Parfit's approach to personal identity and philosophy, as depicted in a new biography by David Edmonds, raises thought-provoking questions about selflessness and dedication.

Washington finds his calling

A User's Guide to History • 255 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💾 History Military Leaders Battles Colonialism Biography
  1. George Washington showed early signs of leadership and military skill when he led a small militia group to victory in battle.
  2. Washington had a natural inclination for soldiering, always feeling alive in moments of danger and battle.
  3. Throughout his life, Washington maintained his courage and charm even in the face of enemy fire, showing his leadership qualities and bravery.

Life Advice: Deploying The Dick Trickle Maneuver

North Carolina Rabbit Hole • 255 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Life Advice Biography Strategies
  1. Some people go to great lengths to fit in socially, like faking drinking alcohol at gatherings.
  2. The Dick Trickle Maneuver involves holding onto an empty beer can to blend in without actually drinking much.
  3. Dick Trickle, a legendary beer drinker, maintained a can in his hand all night, tricking people into thinking he was drinking more than he actually was.

Spengler's Biography Part 1

The Oswald Spengler Project • 778 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
💾 History Biography Intellectuals Literature World War I Cultural critique
  1. Oswald Spengler's childhood was marked by a contrasting influence from his parents - his father's duty-bound nature and his mother's artistic family background.
  2. Spengler was a bright child with a vivid imagination, but his intellectual pursuits conflicted with his father's expectations of a traditional career.
  3. After facing setbacks in academia and a disappointing teaching career, Spengler ventured into writing and achieved unexpected success with his controversial work, 'The Decline of the West.'

Jim Morrison's Religion of Recklessness

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Biography Art Legacy Creativity Inspiration
  1. Jim Morrison's art and lifestyle reflected a religion of recklessness, showcasing a fine line between self-destructive behaviors and artistic genius.
  2. The myth of the 27 Club, including Jim Morrison, romanticizes addiction and early death, blurring the lines between virtues and vices.
  3. Morrison's approach to art creation, characterized by unconscious expression and channeling spirits, challenges the idea of conscious creativity and self-control in artistic processes.

Fame’s inflection point

quite useless • 393 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Fame Biography
  1. The summer of 'the riddle of the artist' explores the relationship between art and the biographies of artists.
  2. Artists' biographies often follow archetypal narratives like rags to riches and autodidacism.
  3. Passing fame's inflection point means the value of an artist's work derives more from who they are than what they create.

On Sinead O'Connor and Borderline Personality Disorder

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Music Mental health Biography Art Media
  1. Sinead O'Connor's life and struggles highlight the challenges of living with Borderline Personality Disorder. It's important to understand the emotional ups and downs that come with this condition.
  2. Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their success or fame. Sinead's story reminds us to be compassionate towards others who are suffering.
  3. Discussing and raising awareness about mental health is crucial. It helps to break the stigma and encourages people to seek help when they need it.

August bookclub reveal

The Shift With Sam Baker • 259 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
📚 Literature Bookclub Biography Fiction Memoir
  1. The Shift With Sam Baker bookclub reveals a book blending memoir, biography, and fiction about George Orwell's wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy.
  2. The book focuses on giving recognition to Eileen O'Shaughnessy, who has been overlooked in history.
  3. Anna Funder discovered Eileen O'Shaughnessy and decided to shed light on her story through this unique book.