My Top 10 Books- Biography

Last semester I had a discussion about collection development with my media specialists. They said that they rarely buy biographies about people that are still living. Those books tended to get outdated too quickly. However, sometime certain purchases were necessary due to demands of the curriculum and student interests.

My original plan was to center my nonfiction studies on the most current issues I could find within our media collection. I was unsatisfied with some of my initial results, but I did manage to find one biography that is Top 10 worthy.
Osama bin Laden by Bill Loehfelm (Lucent Books 2003) provided an interesting glimpse on an enigmatic figure that has dominated our headlines for years. The book comes from a series entitled Heroes and Villains (it is up to you to figure out where he falls).
The author clearly tells us what we know as fact and what is speculation. He also provides us with plenty of background material on the people and cultures that has surrounded bin Laden’s life. Plenty of maps, informative sidebars, and photographs help to enhance the work. Furthermore, Loehfelm backs everything up with extensive documentation and a list of recommended reading.
Considering the complexity of the topic, the work is well suited for high school researchers. Middle school readers might have a more difficult time digesting all of the history presented.

Reviews
http://mciu.org/~spjvweb/nonfiction03.html

http://www.rbookshop.com/unusual_subjects/o/Osama_bin_Laden/Osama_Bin_Laden_Heroes_and_Villains__1590182944.htm

M Donlevy