This book on the life of the Buddha, written by Bhikkhu Nanamoli, is perhaps the best ‘biography’ within Theravāda Buddhism.
Bhikkhu Nanamoli relies almost exclusively on the Pali Canon (the ancient Buddhist scriptures). The result is refreshing and undistorted.
Here you will not find the legend you hear so often, or sweet and sappy stories invented by an author, but a chronological representation of what can be deduced from the words of the Buddha himself with regard to his life.
We have used this work as a reference for our extensive explanation of Theravāda Buddhism.