The Autobiography of Michel de Montaigne

This is an excellent book, so long as you understand what you are dealing with. While it is true that Montaigne did not write an autobiography (indeed this would have been unusual to say the least) he was most careful about his writing--for example he would not erase any passages or writings. Therefore, Montaigne's writings are a wealth of information about a man, and when put together carefully provide a good portrait of the man. Perhaps not technically an autobiography, nevertheless I think that Montaigne would have appreciated Lowenthal's effort.