Intimate Secrets Trivia Quiz

Answer: Christy Brown

Irishman Christy Brown (1932-1981), was a noted painter, poet, and writer. He suffered from cerebral palsy and could control only the toes of his left foot. His autobiography was made into an Academy Award winning film of the same name in 1989. Despite his medical condition, he taught himself to read, write, and paint.

The novel chronicles his struggle with the tasks of daily life, his battle with alcohol, and the love and support of his mother who believed in him even when doctors told her he needed to be institutionalized.

This wonderful piece of literature is guaranteed to make the reader realize that their life is probably not as bad as they think it is.

Answer: Marlon Brando

This unusual autobiography, written by Marlon Brando with the assistance of Robert Lindsey, is a fascinating look at the inside world of a major star and his life in Hollywood. There is little to no mention of his wives, children, or other close family members.

This unusual autobiography is not done in a chronological manner, as is often found in this type of book. Rather it is a collection of thoughts, recollections, and opinions that bounce around through time and space. Many famous figures, and his relationships with them, are mentioned.

Answer: Henry James

Covering his youth and family, "A Small Boy and Others" is the autobiography of Henry James (1843-1916). It delves into his memories of his childhood and his academically gifted family. He traveled to many parts of the world as a child, and mentions how he feels this both helped and harmed him in later life.

The small boy mentioned in the title is a reference to himself and those around him. This is an autobiography that deals with childhood more than adulthood and has a calm quiet humor throughout the narration.

This autobiography was followed up by a sequel entitled "Notes of a Son and Brother" in 1914, which covered later parts of his life.

Answer: His stay in a Nazi prison camp

"Night", first published in 1955, was originally written in Yiddish. It is one young man's story of his experiences and subsequent survival in Auschwitz and Buchenwald, the notorious Nazi prison camps. He captured the some of the horror and inhumanity that occurred in these living hells.

He followed it with two more autobiographies outlining his life after freedom, and his fight to battle the inner demons left by his internment. The following two books are called "Dawn" (1961), and "Day" (1962). He lived until he was nearly 90 years old, during which time he was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among others.

The story told in this trilogy of autobiographies is not one you will soon forget.

Answer: False

"The Story of My Life", although dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell, is actually the autobiography of Helen Keller. It chronicles her childhood and explores her relationship with her companion Anne Sullivan, who taught her to communicate with the outside world, even though she was blind and deaf.

It is a touching story of a woman who, despite her disabilities, grew up to be a noted lecturer, author and political activist. Alexander Graham Bell brought the two women together by referring Helen's parents to the Perkins Institute for the Blind.

It is a wonderful, and inspiring, story that is suitable for most school-age children.

Answer: Maya Angelou

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is the autobiography of American author and poet Maya Angelou. It is the first book in a series of seven autobiographical books, and deals with the author's childhood, ending when she becomes a mother at the tender age of 17. Angelou grew up in a period of racism and poverty.

There is disagreement as to whether this literary work is an actual autobiography or is instead an autobiographical novel. Important themes in this book are literacy, rape, social identity, and women's rights.

The writer's ability to talk about these difficult topics kept this book on The New York Times paperback bestseller list for over two years.

Answer: Billie Holiday

This autobiography, which was co-authored by William Dufty, became the basis for a movie of the same name starring Diana Ross. It is the life story of jazz singer Billie Holiday (1915-1959). This books deals frankly with her heroin addiction and sexual abuse, as well as the struggles of being African-American at that time in history.

She talks candidly about her mental health issues, which resulted in multiple commitments to mental institutions. After the book was released, criticism was raised about the veracity of some of her story.

While much of it was undoubtedly true, some of it contradicted well-established facts of her life. She died three years after the autobiography was released, from cirrhosis of the liver that was brought about by her alcoholism.

Answer: Ronald Reagan

Published in 1990, two years after he left office, "An American Life" is the autobiography of Ronald Reagan. This literary work covers his life from birth through his years as president. He tells of his childhood, his family, and his presidency. Reagan does not speak badly of anyone and is very diplomatic in this book, which is revealing of his personality, but may not tell the whole truth about someone or something.

It is because of this fact that some critics have questioned its historical value.

Answer: Michael Jackson

Written by Michael Jackson, "Moonwalk" derives its title from Jackson's signature dance move. It tells of a physically abusive childhood, an alcoholic father and the effects this childhood had on him as adult. He attempts to explain his plastic surgeries, the reality of show business, and his rise to fame.

While it was highly anticipated, was edited by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and was a very popular book with his fans, some critics claimed the book was empty, unrevealing and simply self-promoting.

Answer: True

Written in installments between 1925 and 1929, "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" is an autobiography of Mohandas Gandhi. These writings deal with his childhood, his experiments with eating meat, smoking, drinking and the regret that followed. The average American might find this book a difficult read as it deals with different cultural beliefs and practices.

But Gandhi was a consummate teacher and his struggles with the problems of life are dealt with in this writing. Some of this collection of memoirs were written while he was imprisoned, and some while he was not.

He notes in his work two authors who had a profound influence on his life were Leo Tolstoy and John Ruskin.