Here is my TOP list of Audrey Hepburn books that I recommend all these books to all of my visitors and Audrey Hepburn fans. If you can’t afford all the books or don’t have enough time to read them then I have conveniently listed all the key points and pros of each one. You can pick one out based on if you want a biography, photo book for the coffee table, or a book on how to be like Audrey Hepburn. Some of these I’d recommend more over others, but they are all great in their own ways! I’ll make some notes for them them below.
Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon
by Terrence Pepper
[star rating=”5″] [5/5]
“MUST HAVE PICTURE BOOK FOR ANY AUDREY FAN”
Reasons to Get this Book:
- The Ultimate Coffee Table Book – If you are searching for a great photo book of Audrey or just in general, then this is the one you absolutely need to get!
- It has 192 pages which are gorgeously laid out with breathtaking photos on almost every single page – This is a perfect book and conversation piece to thumb through pictures and strike up conversations with friends or family.
- Rare photographs of her younger years before she became famous!
- Shows ALL the pictures from the Audrey Hepburn Exhibition by the National Portrait Gallery in London, England July, 2, 2015.
- Pages contain photographs from more prolific and important photographers and rare occasions
- There are also NEVER before seen private photographs released by Audrey’s Family estate
- Photography from Magazines, newspapers clippings, fashion photos etc.
- One of the best Audrey Hepburn books to get in my opinion for the magnificent photos.
- THIS IS THE BOOK I GOT THIS YEAR and would be a perfect Audrey Hepburn Gift
- MY TOP PICK
Audrey Hepburn
by Barry Paris
Reasons to Get this:
- THE LONGEST Biography on Audrey Hepburn
- 496 PAGES LONG of content packed information!
- This author, Barry, has done an outstanding job in investigating and interviewing people who were close friends, and costars of Audrey’s to get their perspective of her. There hasn’t been a biographer who has yet been able to interview as numerous of friends and famous costars as this author has achieved.
- The author does a really great job at creating a riveting, insightful biography about Audrey
- This is a great Biography and a must read for any one who wants to know more about Audrey Hepburn and wants to be an Authority on the subject of her.
- MY TOP PICK
Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn
by Donald Spoto
Reasons to buy this:
- 368 Pages – Extremely nostalgic and a FRESH and PERSONAL perspective on Audrey Hepburn
- The author constructs an extremely detailed portrait of a woman whose, personal insecurity, vulnerability, and innate love of family endeared her to all those exposed to her – Hepburn’s inner circle, friends, colleagues, lovers and ultimately the world.
- Extremely detailed piece of work, this one will rival the book written by her son
- GREAT biography of Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit
by Sean Ferrer 1998
Reasons to Get this Book:
- Written by her first born son Sean Ferrer!
- See through the eyes of her son with personal memories and stories about Audrey
- 256 pages of heart felt writing from her son Sean.
- The book has personal details and memories but also serves as a biography.
- This is the first one of the Audrey Hepburn books written by her sons. The second one is down below written by Luca Dotti.
- Highly Recommended
Audrey: Her Real Story
by Alexander Walker
Reasons to Get this Book:
- Contains 336 pages of great info.
- Great Biography with amazing pictures to boot.
- This book goes more in depth into her early career than all the other books.
- Also the author tackles hard issues like anorexia and digs deep into her troubled times, divorces, miscarriages, etc. The other author Barry Paris, skirts around these types of issues or tries to paint them in the best light.
- Researches and interviews lots of people, costars, and friends –
- “Walker has all the facts…A meticulous account.” ―Entertainment Weekly
- “Walker is a much better write than most Audrey biographers, and he distills the subtle image/reality of the Audrey Hepburn complex.” ―Cups
- Reasons NOT to buy:
- The Author doesn’t put his interviews in quotes and makes his own conjecture from his interviews. This is not a huge deal, however, the book by Barry Paris – he writes a lot of quotes from his interviews.
How to be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life
by Melissa Hellstern
Reasons to Get this Book:
- 208 Pages – This book is more of a book based on philosophies of how Audrey Hepburn lived rather than a biography.
- Perfect if you want to become more like Audrey, live Gracefully, Charming, Elegant, and above most of all kind.
- This book definitely imparts wisdom and insight from Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey at Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen
By Luca Dotti
Reasons to Get this Book:
- Contains 256 Pages – Highly nostalgic and offers a FRESH and PERSONAL perspective on Audrey Hepburn
- THIS book is written by Audrey’s 2nd son, Luca Dotti!
- Finally get a glimpse into the private world of Audrey’s that no one ever knew about from the perspective of her son – her children, friends she had over, her pets that she loved and adored, and her overall lifestyle at home.
- Collections of her favorite memories – excerpts from her personal correspondences such as drawings, anecdotes, mail, her favorite recipes written in her OWN handwriting.
- Previously unpublished photographs
- This showcases and lists Audrey Hepburn’s very own recipes! So you can recreate the same things that she ate!
Just being Audrey
By Margaret Cardillo
Reasons to Get this Book:
- Perfect introduction into the world of Audrey Hepburn
- In 32 pages of charming illustrations, both children and adults can both learn a couple awesome things about Audrey Hepburn.
- Teaching concepts about KINDNESS, helping others, and self acceptance and hard work to children.
- Absolutely beautiful illustrations
- This book covers her career, motherhood, childhood, and UNICEF work.
- MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Out of all the Audrey Hepburn books, this is the cutest. The book is absolutely charming, and as an adult, sometimes reteaching something in a children’s book format will drive home a point more – it’s very cute… but also in depth and substantial.
Audrey Style
by Pamela Clarke Keogh
Reasons to Get this Book:
- 235 Pages worth of pretty pictures
- Perfect for a coffee table book
- Audrey Style is more of a biography rather than a study of her style.
- It has text through out the pages so there is as much reading as there are pictures. You’ll learn a thing or two about audrey
- It’s not you’re ordinary run of the mill biography.
What are your Favorite Audrey Hepburn Books?!
Don’t be shy now. If you have a couple favorite Audrey Hepburn books, please let everyone know! 🙂
I’ll try to put up some more books, however, these are some of the most prolific ones. So don’t worry we have you covered. If you found a book that you think should be up here, please drop me a line below!
I have most of those books, all definite must haves for the fan!! But another great one is “The Audrey Hepburn Treasures” by Ellen Erwin and Jessica Diamond. What makes it so different is that it has copies of mementos from her life, such as post cards, playbills, letters written to Audrey, etc that you can pull out examine, all very cool. It has some new photos but the mementos is what makes it special. My favorite one has to be the copy or a few pages of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s script with her handwritten notes!
Ooooo, thanks for sharing Jon! You’re making me Jealous now! 🙂 I need to go and get the book now, you’ve piqued my interest! Hehe.
By the way, best Audrey website in the world!!! Thanks for keeping the torch burning so brightly. Another honorable mention book not on the list, though a great read was Sam Wasson’s “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman”. A long title! But filled with lots of background information, movie history and stuff for the ardent Breakfast fan.
Jon, that means so much to me! A lot of work goes into the site that most people don’t see. So thank you so much for your kind comment. I’ve heard of that one and always wanted to read it! Thanks for reminding me and the readers!
I love Audrey Hepburn but where i live, it is very difficult to get hands on a good Audrey Hepburn book. Good work with the list, I have noted every single one down and will try to get them where i live. Audrey is such a darling and I love her so much. <3
Have you read Adieu Audrey: Memories of Audrey Hepburn? Since it was written by her, I am curious on what topics she really goes into.