poppy Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I'm not a fan of celebrity type biographies, but I do read a lot of autobiographical/biographical books. I particularly like reading about authors whose books I've enjoyed and about people who have lived in challenging circumstances, whether it's because of remoteness or poverty or whatever. My all-time favourite books are Gerald Durrell's trilogy My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beast and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods. Gerald spent some of his childhood growing up with his eccentric family on the island of Corfu. He is besotted with all creatures from a very young age and collects a large number of animals for pets. They are always getting into trouble. These books are delightful and very funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbel Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I recently read My Family and other Animals, it was such a fun book, I completely fell in love with Gerald's madcap family; I didn't realize the book was part of a trilogy Poppy, thanks for the imformation, I will have to keep a lookout for the other two books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitnat Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I have two that I loved. Both are personal journeys but also follow earlier generations of their respective families. White Swans, three daughters of China by Jung Chang documents the change in life in China, from the feudal system and the life the grandmother of the author had, her mother under Communism and then her life. My Place by Sally Morgan documents the discovery of the Aboriginal family she never knew existed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 A friend recently recommended an autobiography by Slash the guitarist from Guns 'n' Roses. She said she really enjoyed it but unfortunately I can't remember its title It's called Slash - The Autobiography (a very-imaginative title! ). A friend of mine read it recently but he said although enjoyable he didn't think it was very well-written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) A friend recently recommended an autobiography by Slash the guitarist from Guns 'n' Roses. She said she really enjoyed it but unfortunately I can't remember its title I loved this book, but then again I worship Slash! My review is here Edited October 16, 2008 by Nici Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I loved autobiographies and 'true amazing stories' when I was a kid. One of my absolute favorite books was a biography of Helen Keller, a young girl who was blind, deaf and mute, learned to get along with it and went on to lead an amazing life. I cant possibly number the times I read it I havent read any of those for some time now but I might pick some ideas in all those suggestions you made! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I loved autobiographies and 'true amazing stories' when I was a kid. One of my absolute favorite books was a biography of Helen Keller, a young girl who was blind, deaf and mute, learned to get along with it and went on to lead an amazing life. I cant possibly number the times I read it I loved this book too Chimera when I was a child. It was quite inspiring. I recently read My Family and other Animals, it was such a fun book, I completely fell in love with Gerald's madcap family; I didn't realize the book was part of a trilogy Poppy, thanks for the imformation, I will have to keep a lookout for the other two books. shelbel, there's one more book that sort of follows on from these called Fillets of Plaice. It's a collection of stories, some about Corfu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-Bridge Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I have my eye on Bill Clintons autobiography which my boyfriend is reading. Its huge though- he told me its hundereds of pages in and hes still in kindergarten- its very detailed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitnat Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Chimera I'll second that one too. I had forgotten that book about Helen Keller. Quite a remarkable story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I loved this book too Chimera when I was a child. It was quite inspiring. Chimera I'll second that one too. I had forgotten that book about Helen Keller. Quite a remarkable story. It figures others loved it too... It's a book I got randomly in some contest or other and which I then kept as a personal treasure for years. Never really imagined others reading it Though I have no idea where it might be now. I'll have to review it in the 'youth zone' if I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 It's called Slash - The Autobiography (a very-imaginative title! ). I guess it does what it says on the tin! After the life he's had I imagine he could have come up with a better title though I loved this book, but then again I worship Slash! My review is here I've just read you're review and I think I'll add this to my wish list,(must hoke out my G 'n' R albums) Its growing faster than I'm reading!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammisnana Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Which biographies have you read, and which did you enjoy? Dry: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Dry: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs Did you enjoy it? Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahsilet Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I have enjoyed the autobiographies by Katie (Jordan) Price and Jodie Marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I have just read Alan Carr's autobiography and really enjoyed it. My review can be found here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 This is on my Christmas list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWA Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Not sure if I've already mentioned this or not, but my favourite has to be "Miles the autobiography" which was all about the life and times of Miles Davis. I'm not even that big a fan of his music, but I was captivated with his passion and drive to create. GWA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Butter Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Interesting call, GWA. Miles was undoubtedly one of the most influential jazz musicians, but as a person he had a reputation for being aloof, arrogant and just plain not very nice. How does he come across in this book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 My favourite has to be Margaret Rutherford's autobiography - Blyth Spirit - just loved her as Miss Marple and she had a fasinating life. I have tried to get hold of a copy recently but alas it is out of print. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I just remembered another very interesting autobiography: Banker to the Poors: The Story of the Grameen Bank by Mohammad Yunus. Yunus is the man who invented the microcredit in Bengladesh, a concept which has since then spread everywhere in the world. The idea was of creating a bank which would lend very small sums of money to people who need it to start a small livelihood activity (a food stall in the street, some materials to make stools out of bamboo...) but cant go to normal banks as they are too poor to offer any garantee. More than Yunu's life story this book is the story of the creation and development of the Grameen bank. A very insightful view in this system, the development questions in Bangladesh and the way a simple but unorthodox idea can grow into a very effective development tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottishbookworm Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 This is on my Christmas list you'll love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceinwenn Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I've only read a couple biographies (auto-biographies), as I'm not a big fan of them. I loved Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox (but I love Michael J. Fox) & I've read On the Edge by Richard & Mindy Hammond, which was also a great book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocko Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 The only and unique biography i've read is the Andy McNab, quite interesting. Yeah quite "old" but i'm pretty new with "reading books". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feidhlim Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I don't read many autobiographies but I read Christopher Lee's recently and didn't think too much of it. There was so much material in it about golf whihc was just tedious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I'm reading Slash's. Tr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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