Colin Powell Biography - From Harlem to DC

Climbing the ladder in politics and the military has not always been easy for people of color. Various Colin Powell biography books tell the story of the ex-soldier and politician, beginning with his humble roots and detailing his rise to high office. He was born in Harlem in 1937 to parents who had emigrated from Jamaica and grew up in the Bronx area of New York City.

Powell is a household name in America and is also known throughout the world. There is a lot of interest in each Colin Powell biography that is published. Known as a moderate Republican, the books explore his personality and ideas. In 2001, A Soldier's Way: An Autobiography by Colin Powell and Joseph Persico was published, giving a life story from Powell's own point of view. Readers learn about his childhood and his career all the way up to his appointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There are chapters on his involvement in the Vietnam War and other campaigns and his positions in the Pentagon.

Colin Powell and Joseph Persico collaborated again for My American Journey, a story of Powell's childhood years, college years and his army career. The book also looks at the political system at work in Washington and lists the rules that Powell says he lives by.

2003 saw a number of publications in the format of Colin Powell biographies. His military and political career is examined in Colin Powell: A Biography by Steins and General Colin Powell by Carole Marsh. Oren Harari is the author of The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell, a book in which he says that Powell's leadership qualities are inspirational and that these qualities can be adapted to the business world.

In 2004, Laura Hamilton Waxman published her Colin Powell biography, simply titled Colin Powell. Another biography followed in 2006, titled Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell by Karen DeYoung. This book goes behind the scenes of politics and the military.

All these biographies give an interesting perspective on military campaigns and political life in the White House. Powell has experienced war as a combat soldier and as an advisor, winning several military medals. His military service spanned from 1958 until 1993. He served in Korea, underwent two tours of duty in Vietnam, was involved in the invasion of Panama, and commanded the 1991 Gulf War.

He retired from the army as a General and was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 until 1993. His position as Secretary of State for War was from 2001 until 2005. All this experience has given authors much to draw on in Colin Powell biographies.