Weave Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 I recently read 'Cash: The Autobiography of Johnny Cash' by Johnny Cash and Patrick Carr, it was very insightful and I enjoyed it immensely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally-Ann Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCLGeogPhD Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 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.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiz Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay87 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Still me, by Christopher Reeve. Beautiful book by a superman! It is a must-read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samsiren Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalkie48uk Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I'd second Michael J Fox. Personal favourites of mine are the Alan Alda ones, but them I am a big fan! :-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali9321 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 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!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Bill Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryRose Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paun Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Bill Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paun Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I read now today Confessions of Saint Augustine people say number 1 autobiography in world forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 I'm loving Alison Weir's new biography on Mary Boleyn. I have a signed copy, and it's a fantastic read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidtye Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isandriena Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossygirl100 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossygirl100 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abcinthia Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bree Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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