The year of the biography

So, I've been thinking about Christmas. It's always a good time to pick out a book for a gift suggestion. I've been thinking a lot about biographies since I finished the two volumes on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I'm sure I enjoyed them so much because Iain Murray writes so well. At any rate, beginning in January, I wouldn't mind reading some biographies. I have a few in mind. I don't know if I'll finish them all because real life tends to interrupt reading. I realize that this is a very ambitious list. I've chosen some that I hope to borrow from the library.

John Newton, by Jonathan Aitken. I already own this volume, and got half way through before something caused me to stop reading.

Something about John Calvin. I am not sure which biography I will read yet. There are some good recommendations. I'll probably chose from the selection at Monergism. I use the site so much, I like to buy my books from there if I can.

The Shadow of Heaven: The Life of Lester B. Pearson, by John English. Pearson was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1963-1968. In 1957, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in solving the Suez Canal Crisis. I have always found Pearson interesting, and it is no doubt because of the author of the book. I had Dr. English as a professor of history when I was in university and I liked him very much.

Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser. A number of years ago, my aunt bought me a book called The Wives of Henry VIII by Fraser, and I loved it. Fraser is quite a popular writer, so I hope I can find this volume at the library.

Mick, by Peter Hart. This is a book about the Irishman, Michael Collins, who fought for the freedom of Ireland first in the Easter Rising in 1916 and was later part of Ireland's becoming a Free State. He was assassinated in 1922. About five years ago, I read a book about him by Tim Pat Coogan, who also wrote a very large volume about Eamon deValera which I also read. This newer book is supposed to have been put together using more and better research. I've had this book on my shelf for about three years and have yet to read it.

The Life of Elizabeth I, by Alison Weir. Weir writes "popular" history, which I think may be a code word for "light." I don't really mind. I am fascinated with Elizabeth I, and I'm sure there are lots of volumes out there. What I like about Weir is that she is English and she has a love for history. If I want to read a more "academic" volume on Elizabeth some day, I will.

Here I Stand, Roland Bainton. There are lots of volumes about Martin Luther, but I think this one is the most accessible. I listened to a lecture by Carl Trueman about Luther, and in that lecture, he gave suggestions for various biographies, and he said this was a good one to begin with.

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor, D.A. Carson. I've read more than one review of this book, Rebecca's being the first. Since then, I've wanted to read it. This is about Carson's own father, a man who was a pastor in Quebec.

Jonathan Edwards, Iain Murray. I just have to read another volume by Murray, and I have never read much about Edwards, so I think this will be a good addition to my list.