Autobiographies and Biographies

[Weave]

I recently read 'Cash: The Autobiography of Johnny Cash' by Johnny Cash and Patrick Carr, it was very insightful and I enjoyed it immensely.

[Sally-Ann]

I'm not sure whether you would call them auttobiographies or memoirs ... but I enjoyed these....

 

Legionnaire by Simon Murray - about serving in the French Foreign Legion. Really enjoyable and interesting insight into this hidden world.

 

Foreskin's Lament by Shalom Auslander - a fantastically funny book about coming of age - pain and humour mixed wonderfully well.

 

Sally-Ann

[willoyd]

Have just finished Hermione Lee's monumental biography of Virginia Woolf, and it goes right to the top of the pile as probably the best biog that I've read to date. Lee takes a slightly unusual approach, each chapter concentrating on a theme that is important in Woolf's life at different stages, and as a result I did struggle occasionally with the chronology, not least when she views the same event or person from the different perspectives of each theme. However, that was really a minor issue, compared to the way this approach enabled Lee to get really inside key aspects of Woolf's life, providing a deep insight into the character of this fascinating, complex woman and her works. Woolf has been the subject of many myths, and most if not all of them are fairly conclusively dismantled. Lee writes with enormous sensitivity and, whilst this is no hagiography, is obviously highly sympathetic to her subject.

 

There are some superb biographers around at present, with Claire Tomalin, Lisa Jardine, Jenny Uglow and Peter Ackroyd my personal favourites. Hermione Lee now joins that exclusive band!

Edited July 16, 2011 by willoyd

[UCLGeogPhD]

If you want a good read of a film star who knows his own limitations and can happily poke fun at his own career then I'd certainly wholeheartedly recommend If Chins could kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell. First autobiography that I read and has given me a taste for those few individuals that can write about their lives without the need to make everything they have ever done seem important and vital for the good of the planet Earth and all those who inhabit it..

[Wiz]

A Sassenach's Survival Guide To The Highlands by Anthony Massey

This is a really funny book - part bio, part travelogue.

The writers fairly opinionated but its all good clean fun - loved the atory about 'Happy Harry' and his bicycle

Pete

[vinay87]

Still me, by Christopher Reeve.

 

Beautiful book by a superman! It is a must-read!

[Samsiren]

The michael J fox autobiography was probably the best non fiction book I've ever read (or, most likely, the only one.. I can't remember) - but it's just such an amazingly written account of his life from his early career to his parkinson's disease... I couldn't recommend the book more!

[chalkie48uk]

hi try billy hopkins there a series of 4 or 5 books starting with his childhood right up to when he becomes a teacher each book is a good read enjoy

[chaliepud]

I'd second Michael J Fox. Personal favourites of mine are the Alan Alda ones, but them I am a big fan! :-))

[Ali9321]

I'd agree re both Michael J Fox's and Alan Alda's - really enjoyed them

 

The other one I found interesting and can't get out of my head is Ranulph Fiennes' book on Scott - although I don't recommend reading it while camping like I did, makes you feel very cold, especially when reading the account of the last few days!!!!!!!

[willoyd]

Just finished Claire Tomalin's biography of Jane Austen. Reviewed it briefly on my reading blog thread at

 

http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/5954-willoyds-reading-from-2010-onwards/page__view__findpost__p__274528

[Dr Bill]

I love biographies. I recently re-read Sarah Bradfords biography of George VI. Others I have read in recent months are "Darwin" by Desmond and Moore and "Charles Dickens" by Michael Slater. I have a stack of others which I have read over the years - it would take forever to list them all. I am currently reading "John Henry Newman" by Ian Ker which I must confess I am finding a bit of a struggle. Determined to get through it though.

[MysteryRose]

Which biographies have you read, and which did you enjoy?

I've read a lot of biographies, mostly of French Kings and Queens and other important figures from French history. The biographies I loved most, were about Marie-Antoinette.

[paun]

I read now The heavenly man by paul Hattaway it is story of life of Brother Yun a famous and very brave preacher in China.

[Dr Bill]

I am currently reading "John Henry Newman" by Ian Ker which I must confess I am finding a bit of a struggle. Determined to get through it though.

 

I have finally given up on this book. I am disappointed because Newman was such an interesting character, but I couldn't cope with the writing style. Maybe I will try again some time

[paun]

I read now today Confessions of Saint Augustine people say number 1 autobiography in world forever.

[Tiger]

I'm loving Alison Weir's new biography on Mary Boleyn. I have a signed copy, and it's a fantastic read!

[davidtye]

Losing My Virginity: The Autobiography, Sir Richard Branson.

 

This is a great read, especially for those who wish to emulate his successes in some way!

 

 

David J Tye

[Isandriena]

The only biography I have read was about a 13 year old girl who was raped by Asian men she thought were her friends. It's not a book for everyone but it tugged at my heart strings.

[mossygirl100]

I finished reading autobiography of Doug Chapman, "Where Mercy Has Shown Mercy Has Given" I forgot who of you talked about it but I really enjoyed the book. I once watched his show and got curious then as to this kind of job. Now I can really say and believe in polarities. thanks a lot

[mossygirl100]

While "The Foremost Good Fortune" by Susan Conley left a lot hanging. I really found it a little boring, but I finished the book just the same skipping a lot of the pages. I was just interested if she ever got healed.

[Abcinthia]

I'm loving Alison Weir's new biography on Mary Boleyn. I have a signed copy, and it's a fantastic read!

 

Ooo I can't wait to this! I really enjoy Weir's books.

[Timstar]

Started reading my first ever biography! Leonardo: The First Scientist by Michael White. I have long being an admirer of Da Vinci who was possibly the most talented and innovative man who ever lived, and being a scientist myself I wanted to learn more about his scientific and engineering inventions then his paintings.

 

It is good so far, he was a very complex, non-conformist man who struggled to finish any tasks he started. Learnt of a theory that he invented the violin... but no real evidence to back it up. Interesting stuff.

[Timstar]

Finished Leonardo: The First Scientist a great read, very interesting and filled with pictures of his paintings, inventions and ideas.

 

Just orderedDarwin: a life in science and The science of the X-files also by Michael White.

[bree]

My first one, and one I keep going back to is Gandhi's My Experiments With Truth - and each time I find something new to learn from and be inspired.

 

Then there is the disturbing and disarming The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.

 

A few years ago I read Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley - which I found very interesting. I loved the pictures in it too.