Best autobiographies 2020: top celebrity books this year - from Cliff Richard to Barack Obama

2020 has undoubtedly been a year of trials and tribulations, of sharing heartwarming stories and acts of kindness and selflessness.

But what about those in the public eye who face adversity but manage to overcome this to achieve greatness?

Here are 11 of the best autobiographies released in 2020, sharing the life stories and experiences of some of the world’s most influential athletes, celebrities, and politicians.

While they make a great read at any time of the year, they are also perfect Christmas gifts.

A promised land - Barack Obama

Obama has shared the first volume of memoirs about his early life, leading into his first few years in office at the White House.

Describing in detail how he transitioned from a young law graduate searching for his true identity, to the difficult decisions he made during his term as the 44th president of the United States of America, this truly is an eye-opening read.

£25.00 - Waterstones

The Dreamer - Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard may be 80 years old, but age has never held this British icon back.

Having achieved a hit in every decade since the 1950s, his life hasn’t all been as chirpy as ‘Mistletoe and Wine’. Richard has shared a humbling account of how he achieved greatness in The Dreamer, a gripping read offering a fresh outlook on the pop star who helped shape the UK’s music scene.

£15.99 - Waterstones

Limitless - Tim Peake

Based on diaries and audio recordings of his space missions, astronaut Tim Peake shares his experiences from serving in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan as an army pilot to his career in the European Space agency.

An inspiring read about reaching for the stars.

£14.00 - WHSmith

A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future - Sir David Attenborough

At 94 years old, the national treasure has shared his life and thoughts on the planet as it has aged with him in this humbling ‘witness statement’ about how we can right the wrongs of global warming and work towards sustaining our planet.

£17.99 - Waterstones

Life’s what you make it - Philip Schofield

In what has been a difficult but freeing year for the much loved ITV presenter, Schofield shares how he came to the decision to go public about his sexuality after a long battle with himself. A private memoir, Schofield shares his personal struggles alongside the highlights of his television career.