Across the world, every day, people live in terror but what survivor stories tell us is that human nature is designed to bounce back, even after the most tragic event. People die for greed, for money, for religion, by human error, and natural tragedy all the time, but the survivors rebuild and live on.
Today, I’m taking a look at some major tragedies, acts of God, human evil, and times of upheaval, but we’re concentrating on the good, as we bring you a list of inspiring and uplifting books that came out of personal tragedy. No doubt many of these will be tearjerkers, but they show through stories our indomitable spirit.
Last Man Down – Richard Picciotto
Richard “Pitch” Picciotto was the battalion chief at the New York Fire Department during the 9/11 tragedy, and this is his first hand account of what it was like in the North Tower that day.
Mussolini: His Part in my Downfall – Spike Milligan
War is terrible, terrible tragedy but here Spike Millgan brings a lighter note to his time fighting in Italy in 1943. The jokes keep rolling, but eventually it takes its toll, even on Spike, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder, showing what the genius comedian endured and still stayed funny.
Mussolini: His Part in my Downfall US
Mussolini: His Part in my Downfall UK
Aberfan – A Story of Survival, Love and Community – Gaynor Madgwick
The day that thousands of tons of coal mining waste slid down a mountainside and buried a school isn’t an event known worldwide, but it really should be. Gaynor Madgwick was eight that day, this is her story, mixed with stories from other survivors and rescuers about that fateful day in a South Wales valley.
Wild Swans – Jung Chang
China has been through some tumultuous days. The violent break up of imperial China, the Japanese invasion and occupation, to communism at the end of WWII, and in Wild Swans, Chang follows her family through each of the changes and shows the civilian side of the horrors of war.
Seven Years in Tibet – Heinrich Harrer
Harrer was travelling in India when World War Two erupted and as such he was seized and imprisoned by the British authorities before eventually escaping and becoming one of the first Europeans ever to enter Tibet.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Maya’s account of growing up in a Southern town of the US, at a time of prejudice and hate is vivid, spirited, poetic and powerful, and makes my list of one of my favourite books of all time.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings US
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings UK
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Solider – Ishmael Beah
Across the world young, impressionable children make great cannon fodder and right now it seems there’s not a day goes by when we see a picture of a child wielding a weapon as big as he is. Ishmael Beah was a child soldier in Sierra Leone, this is his story.
The Complete Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi
Possibly the greatest graphic memoir ever written, Satrapi’s account of growing up in Tehran during the Islamic revolution is an outrageous and humorous account of human life, history, and growing up.
I am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
On October 9th 2012, Malala Yousafzai almost paid the ultimate price for the desire for education as she was shot in the head by the Taliban. Malala survived, and this is her story.
Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart – Tim Butcher
Years of colonial rule and bloodshed have made the Congo’s history a turbulent one, and here, Telegraph correspondent, Tim Butcher brings that to life in a remarkable journey.
That’s quite the mix of books, and a great reading list, even if I do say so myself. We hope you find something uplifting today from tragedy and adversity.
Because that’s what stories do, they keep alive tales of human adversity and triumph to uplift us all.
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I have entered several “book clubs” on line..but I never hear from them, nor receive any posts. I always get regular posts,and I absolutely love your quizzes! I read sooo much, and have even eliminated t.v. for over 13 years now. ?thank you. Ann