Trailblazers and Their Journeys

Nelson Mandela's autobiography, (\text{Long Walk to Freedom}), chronicles his life from his childhood in rural South Africa to his imprisonment and eventual release after 27 years.

Maya Angelou's birth name was Marguerite Johnson. She adopted the stage name Maya Angelou later in her career.

Walter Isaacson's biography (\text{Steve Jobs}) tells the story of the life and career of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Before entering politics, Michelle Obama worked as a lawyer and served as the Executive Director of the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Malcolm X's autobiography, (\text{The Autobiography of Malcolm X}), was written with the assistance of Alex Haley and published in 1965.

Barack Obama's father, Barack Obama Sr., was an economist who worked for the Kenyan government.

Hayden Herrera's biography (\text{Frida}) tells the story of the life and art of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Jeannette Walls' father, Rex Walls, was an electrician who struggled with alcoholism and gambling addiction.

Helen Keller's autobiography, (\text{The Story of My Life}), tells the story of her life as a deaf and blind woman and her education under the guidance of her teacher, Anne Sullivan.

Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and works to reform the criminal justice system.

Yann Martel's novel (\text{The Life of Pi}) tells the story of Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and spends 227 days adrift on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

Cheryl Strayed hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in an attempt to escape the pain of her recent divorce and the death of her mother.

J.D. Vance's autobiography, (\text{Hillbilly Elegy}), tells the story of his upbringing in a working-class family in Appalachia and his journey to becoming a successful lawyer and venture capitalist.

Tara Westover's father, Val Westover, was a mechanic who believed that the end of the world was imminent and prepared his family for survival.

Tom Wolfe's book (\text{The Right Stuff}) tells the story of the Mercury Seven, the first group of American astronauts who were selected to participate in the space program.