Christmas is almost here, sending people into a frenzy wondering what to get for the men in their life and also how on earth it’s that time of year again?
Books are undoubtedly one of the greatest crowd-pleasers around, offering the chance to escape to a strange world or learn something new.
For lovers of non-fiction, there are some fantastic male memoirs to choose from that tell stories of stardom, self-reflection, athleticism, political power and racial injustice.
Whether you’re looking for a holiday read to enjoy in your well-deserved downtime or a gift for your Dad, brother, partner or best mate, here are five of the best male memoirs currently available.
Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey
The Academy-award winner takes us on an unconventional journey through his life, sharing the lessons he has learned along the way.
Says McConaughey, in his characteristically bohemian way: “This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops…It’s a love letter. To life.”
A Promised Land, Barack Obama
The 44th President of the United States of America invites readers into his world as he tells the story of those first years in office, the path to get there and the people who inspired and supported him along the way. A great read for anyone who wants to remember a happier political time when the leader of the free world actually knew what he was doing and cared about the people he was doing it for.
The Storm Within, Cameron Smith
Smith shares his story of becoming Australia’s most decorated rugby league player of all time with great colour and candour, outlining what it takes to climb to the highest level in sport. The athlete has always been known as a notoriously private figure, making his soul-baring prose all the more intriguing.
What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, Damon Young
Young possesses the extraordinary ability to tell the most heart-wrenching of stories in the most hilarious way. This memoir explores Young’s experience as a Black man growing up in Pittsburgh at the same time as giving a remarkable voice to the issues faced by the Black community in America, past and present.
Acid for the Children, Flea
The legendary bassist, best known for being a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, brings his mesmerizing storytelling skills to page after page of his memoir. Flea, real name Michael Peter Balzary, was born in Melbourne in 1962 but his family moved to New York when he was just four-years-old. He recounts his formative years, childhood trauma, the discovery of music and battles with substance abuse in a poetic manner one could only expect from the enigmatic musician.
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