Memoir

The term memoir mainly refers to a memorial biography and, in the plural, to a book of reminiscences. It is then the history of record composed from personal observation and experience. Often confused with autobiography, a memoir differs chiefly in the degree of emphasis placed on external events. Writers of memoir are usually persons who have played roles in, or have been close observers of, historical events and their writings are mainly the description or interpretation of events. A great deal of wariness is needed by historians edting memoirs.