Which biographies have you read, and why?

Which biographies have you read, and why?

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singlecoil

Original Poster:

33,218 posts

245 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
For me, that would be-

The Michael Ainger biography of Gilbert and Sullivan. Why, partly because I like the stuff they wrote together, and I found the film Topsy Turvy inspired me to buy a boxed set of DVDs of their operettas, but mainly because I am fascinated by their working relationship and the way they needed eachother in order to produce such memorable works which are still being performed all over the globe over a century later.

A biography of the Carpenters (can't remember who wrote it, but I believe it was 'official'. Again, partly because of the music, and that voice, but mainly because of the relationship and how again they each needed the other to produce such marvellous songs.

If I had ever seen it in a library, I might well have read the autobiography of Albert Pierrepoint, but I didn't so I didn't. I suspect it was more a diary of the executions he carried out than anything very illuminating, so I propbably haven't missed much.

Anybody read any biographies they would like to mention, and the reasons for so doing?

Ari

19,328 posts

214 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Both of Chris Evans books.

Why? Because he has the most crazy extraordinary, funny, interesting life!

Well worth a read. smile

Condi

17,020 posts

170 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
The Man in the White Helmet - erm.. Ben Collins the lad who was the Stig.

Why? Cos I had a 12 hour plane journey to fill.

Was it worth it? God no. Just him making excuses and complaining about the fact he was never good enough for F1.

Hackney

6,800 posts

207 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Those are autobiographies.

Just read "Nobody Ever Says Thankyou", Jonathan Wilson's bio of Brian Clough - a different slant on Clough which was as revealing about the man as it was about his tactics. Riveting.

slopes

38,716 posts

186 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Jackie chan, i like him and it was worth reading
Mcraes no explanation needed
Steve Hislop met him a few times back in the day
Same for Foggy
Lee Evans i like him and it was ok, but not the best one ever
Peter Fonda just because

David87

6,644 posts

211 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
None. I bought the Steve Jobs one the day it was released, but still haven't had the time to get stuck in. Waiting until I go on holiday and still very much looking forward to it!

rumple

11,671 posts

150 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Not really a fan so ive only read a few.
The moons a balloon, David Nivan, worth a read.
Full time, Tony Cascarino, very very good.
Sid James, a biography, cant remember the exact title, a lot of st written about Sid, all after his death.
Thats it really.

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

162 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
All motorsport related.

Off the top of head.

Colin McRae

Ben Collins/Stig

Barry Sheene

James Hunt

Nigel Mansell

Currently reading Piers Courage biog

m444ttb

3,160 posts

228 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Quite a few now. Mostly motor racing where James Hunt and Murray Walker were the best. Other than that I really enjoyed the Steve Jobs book. George W Bush was interesting too.

Silent1

19,761 posts

234 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Oriana Small - Girlvert, a brilliant book but took some tracking down.

ETA. Wrong name

Edited by Silent1 on Thursday 23 August 11:42

jjones

4,422 posts

192 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Jonny Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs : because i like the pistols, good read.


Hyde

514 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
I have read quite a few, here are the ones I enjoyed-

Bounder : Terry-Thomas

Anything For A Quiet Life : Jack Hawkins

The Elephant To Hollywood : Michael Caine

perdu

4,884 posts

198 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
The Moon's A Balloon

A brilliant book but I feel there's huge lots more we won't ever read

Niven, just got to like the bloke

I enjoy the autobio aspects of books like "Apache" by Ed Macy and "Eye Of The Storm" by Peter Radcliffe

There is so much more that we don't get



I've decided not to write my own

wink

there's so much more...





OK No there isn't frown

Athlon

4,993 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th August 2012
quotequote all
Mon Ami Mate is a brilliant book.

db

724 posts

168 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
singlecoil said:
If I had ever seen it in a library, I might well have read the autobiography of Albert Pierrepoint, but I didn't so I didn't. I suspect it was more a diary of the executions he carried out than anything very illuminating, so I propbably haven't missed much.

Anybody read any biographies they would like to mention, and the reasons for so doing?
The Pierrepoint book is worth reading. Not so much of a "I hanged this person on that day" account, but more a how-it-was-done telling. No body count but strongly suggests that execution is wrong and not a deterrant.

"Dolgun" by Alexander Dolgun or the later version (not read) "Alexander Dolgun's story: An American in the Gulag" is my most read book. Grim, bleak but compelling reading.

Pickled

2,051 posts

142 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
Too many to list! My mum works for a big publisher, so I've got enough books to fill a library, lots if signed dedicated ones as well.

Currently reading No Angel - Bernie Ecclestine, quite amusing that he conducted a fair few business lunches in my local during the early 80s when he had premises in chessington

davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
William Hague's one of Pitt the Younger was very good. I also enjoyed Ulyssses S. Grant's memoirs of the civil war.

RDMcG

19,073 posts

206 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
Many, really

The Lyndon Johnson five volume set, latest volume just published

The William Manchester uncompleted set on Winston Churchill- first three volumes were magnificent.

Ferdinand Porsche -Genesis of Genius by Karl Ludvigsen

Hitler set by Ian Kershaw

Biography of Charles Dickens by Peter Ackroyd

I don"t specialize in reading biographies but I like 20th century history. Some of the better written stuff illuminates the broader context in which these people lived.

AndyNetwork

1,831 posts

193 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
I've read quite a few mainly covering music and motorsport. Off the top of my head:

Murray Walker
Eddie Jordon
David Couthard
Nigel Mansell
Bernie Ecclestone
Ayrton Senna

Ozzy Osbourne
Slash
Mick Fleetwood
Ronnie Wood
Nick Mason (more a biography of pink floyd than himself)
Eric Clapton

The two Billy Connelly bio's by his missus (Pamela Stephenson?)
Shela Hancock's story of her and John Thaw
Both the Gordon Ramsey ones.
Richard Hammond 2 autobiographies

Probably more as well, but can't just remember them now.



singlecoil

Original Poster:

33,218 posts

245 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
I wondered why this thread had died a death, then noticed which forum it had been moved to. I didn't even know there was such a forum on PH smile