Sophia Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 The book: "Women Against War" by the Women's Division of Soka Gakkai is a compilation of true accounts by women who have been affected by World War II in Asia. Interestingly, all the women are Japanese - which gives us another perspective on the citizens of the country thought of as the villian of WWII in Asia. This books proves that in war, everyone suffers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister.g Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 (edited) Mr Nice - Howard Marks is fascinating. The Ice Man - Confessions of a mafia contract killer (written by Phillip Carlo about Richard Kuklinski - apparently the most prolific mob contract killer ever.) Gordon Ramsay - Playing with fire. This deal more with the rise of his business empire than his biography however it's a fascinating read all the same. Cocky - Curtis Warren Riders on the storm - my life with Jim Morrison and The Doors - John Densmore. Edited January 18, 2009 by mister.g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Jacobs Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I am back into Pop Music autobiographys Just read Neil Diamonds which was written by someone else and it is really **** just a discography. Next up is Status Quo by Status Quo so should be better. Last year I read the Kenneth Willams Diaries and The Elton John one. Elton John was a spoilt brat and Williams and excentric all very enjoyable. I have a signed copy of Barbara Windsors autobiography as I was her late fathers carer when he lived in Lowestoft. She was normal and I could write a book alone with what she told me about the carry on days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I'm reading JG Ballard's Miracles of Life. And I'm loving it, absolutely loving it. Unlike most autobiography that I read. I guess the reasons are that, firstly he's a brilliant writer and I've always loved his writing style. Secondly that, so far, he's not writing about his writing or fame, or any of the stuff that's made him a public figure. He's writing about his childhood experiences in Shanghai and internment camps, and the dislocation and weirdness of arriving in grim post-war Britain. Third is, I think, there's a hell of a lot of insight into late 20th century Britain (stuff he brings to his fiction, but which he describes more literally here). So it's not a tedious memoir of "I went to school, I went to University, I got this job, I married this woman, I wrote this book, it was tough, I lived in horrible lodgings for a while, I wrote that book and made a bit of money and this is the tale of the high-profile fight that you've seen in the papers between me and some other semi-famous people" like most autobiographies seem to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baggiesfan Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 i have tried to read a few but i prefer fiction, the only two i have ever finished are Frank Skinner and Dickie Bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Don't think I've ever read an autobiography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crotalus_p Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Don't think I've ever read an autobiography. They can be very good but a lot of the time they are hit and miss depending on who wrote them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I am back into Pop Music autobiographys Just read Neil Diamonds which was written by someone else and it is really **** just a discography. Next up is Status Quo by Status Quo so should be better. Last year I read the Kenneth Willams Diaries and The Elton John one. Elton John was a spoilt brat and Williams and excentric all very enjoyable. I have a signed copy of Barbara Windsors autobiography as I was her late fathers carer when he lived in Lowestoft. She was normal and I could write a book alone with what she told me about the carry on days. I read many books on elton and it's true he did have tantrums! he even videoed them and they were on tv a while back "Tantrums and tiraras" that he got his partner david furnish to film him on and off the stage and you see his tantrums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 They can be very good but a lot of the time they are hit and miss depending on who wrote them Well I do imagine that it has to be someone you like.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crotalus_p Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Well I do imagine that it has to be someone you like.. You don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I recently read and enjoyed Slash's. Also read Billy Connelly's, which was a great read because, like so many comedians, hes got a lot going on in that head o his Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crotalus_p Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I recently read and enjoyed Slash's. I have that in my TBR pile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 It's very easy to read, and it drew me in, but then again I'm the biggest Slash fangirl on the planet bar none. So it was obviously going to appeal to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crotalus_p Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 It's very easy to read, and it drew me in, but then again I'm the biggest Slash fangirl on the planet bar none. So it was obviously going to appeal to me. I can remember being into G&R before they split (I feel so old) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Jacobs Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Just read Status Quo by Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. Very good how they had a chapter each but they did repeat each others facts. of course you new the inevitable would happen when a drugged up rock star has a swimming pool and children. As an anti drug person I was appalled at how matter of fact the drug taking was recieved. I was not interested in that part but otherwise enjoyed yet another good Rock/ Pop autobiography Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I've started an autobiography that's in 2 parts that's written by Barack Obama the first part is called dreams from my father the second part is called "audacity of hope" (thoughts of reclaiming the american dream) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I've started an autobiography that's in 2 parts that's written by Barack Obama I'm reading Dreams from my father too! And I'm finding it fascinating... Because of the context and who the author has actually become of course But also in its own right. I'm just taking it slow as I want to enjoy it fully and it is very dense! Is the Audacity of Hope really like a second part though? I saw it more as a political book (whereas the first was written long before President Obama *sounds soo good to say!* entered politics). But maybe I should look into it after reading this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Just about to start, Moab is my Washpot ~ Stephen Fry. I think I`m going to really enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I'm reading Dreams from my father too! And I'm finding it fascinating... Because of the context and who the author has actually become of course But also in its own right. I'm just taking it slow as I want to enjoy it fully and it is very dense! Is the Audacity of Hope really like a second part though? I saw it more as a political book (whereas the first was written long before President Obama *sounds soo good to say!* entered politics). But maybe I should look into it after reading this? it is the second part yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just about to start, Moab is my Washpot ~ Stephen Fry.I think I`m going to really enjoy it. I got this for Christmas, so its on my shelf TBR! Looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ooooo ....I want to read that one too. Love Stephen Fry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ooooo ....I want to read that one too. Love Stephen Fry Me too. He's actually just back from New Zealand filming for a new show, a bit like his America series I think. Sounds great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Wow, I didn't know that. I haven't seen his American series, not sure it's been on here yet or not (I don't watch much TV so these things can pass me by unnoticed) What was it about? Documentary type thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Wow, I didn't know that. I haven't seen his American series, not sure it's been on here yet or not (I don't watch much TV so these things can pass me by unnoticed) What was it about? Documentary type thing? Yes it was great. He travelled around America in his signature black London taxi, through all the states and sort of did a piece on things appropriate to that state. It was very good, although I could listen to him all day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis_stage Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 i was in the charity shop the other day and saw billy connolly biography written by his wife, i was umming and ahhing on whether to get it....wish i did now he is an interesting man and very funny. I dont read much biographies tbh i bought one of eminems when i was younger but still not read it. I'm interested in reading biographies of people who have gone through some kind of mental illness, or done something inspiring, not celebs who do it to get money and have lead pretty ordinary lives, we could all write a biography (probably better than some out there) i really want to read into the wild by Jon Krakauer, i saw the film and LOVED it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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