Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. Is it permissable to read biographies of successfull disbelievers, but these books may contain many actions of sins. At the same time they contain many useful lessons like being persistant, creative, etc.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There is no objection in reading biographies of non-Muslims to derive benefit from their practical experiences. In addition, it is not forbidden to read them merely because they are non-Muslims, or that there are some of the prohibited texts in their biographies and the like.

Allah knows best.