Memoir

Memoir is a collection of memories that an individual writes about moments or events, both public or private, that took place in the subject's/person's life. The assertions made in the work are understood to be factual. While memoir has historically been defined as a subcategory of biography or autobiography since the late 20th century, the genre is differentiated in form, presenting a narrowed focus. A biography or autobiography tells the story "from the outside," while a memoir tells the story from personal experience.

Definition

Memoirs have been written since the ancient times, as shown by Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico, also known as Commentaries on the Gallic Wars. In the work, Caesar describes the battles that took place during the nine years that he spent fighting local armies in the Gallic Wars. His second memoir, Commentarii de Bello Civili (or Commentaries on the Civil War), is an account of the events that took place between 49 and 48 BC in the civil war against Gnaeus Pompeius and the Senate.

History

The English word 'memoir' originates from the French mémoire, which means 'memory', or 'reminiscence'. This is related to the Latin word memoria, meaning 'memory'.

Types of memoirs

There are many different types of memoirs, including:

• Travel memoirs - These memoirs are a type of travel literature that typically describes the author's travels and experiences in foreign countries.
• Confessional memoirs - These memoirs often involve the author confessing to certain personal or private experiences or thoughts.
• Spiritual memoirs - These memoirs explore the author's spiritual journey and experiences.
• Childhood memoirs - These memoirs focus on the author's childhood and early experiences.

See also

• Autobiography
• Biography
• Diary
• Personal narrative
• Life review

References

Memoir Resources
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