Which biographies have you read, and why?
Discussion
I've read a few motorsport related ones: Murray Walker, James Toseland, Neil Hodgson, Dr. Costa...
All crap!
One I did enjoy though was (not strictly a complete Biography) Sir Michael Edwardes' book on how he was drafted into the BMC empire to fight against poor products, a shrinking sales base, and militant workers.
Called 'Back from the Brink'... although history dictates that following his tenure, the 'brink' was only temporarily averted...
All crap!
One I did enjoy though was (not strictly a complete Biography) Sir Michael Edwardes' book on how he was drafted into the BMC empire to fight against poor products, a shrinking sales base, and militant workers.
Called 'Back from the Brink'... although history dictates that following his tenure, the 'brink' was only temporarily averted...
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I've read a few motorsport related ones: Murray Walker, James Toseland, Neil Hodgson, Dr. Costa...
All crap!
One I did enjoy though was (not strictly a complete Biography) Sir Michael Edwardes' book on how he was drafted into the BMC empire to fight against poor products, a shrinking sales base, and militant workers.
Called 'Back from the Brink'... although history dictates that following his tenure, the 'brink' was only temporarily averted...
Nice one, ill have a look at that.All crap!
One I did enjoy though was (not strictly a complete Biography) Sir Michael Edwardes' book on how he was drafted into the BMC empire to fight against poor products, a shrinking sales base, and militant workers.
Called 'Back from the Brink'... although history dictates that following his tenure, the 'brink' was only temporarily averted...
I've read "In the footsteps of Churchill" by Richard Holmes and I'm just about to start "MAO a life" by Philip Short.
I read the Churchill bio as I'm fascinated by the man and his extraordinary life, I also like Richard Holmes as a historian, know very little about Mao (apart from the obvious) so should be interesting.
I read the Churchill bio as I'm fascinated by the man and his extraordinary life, I also like Richard Holmes as a historian, know very little about Mao (apart from the obvious) so should be interesting.
Lost count of general biogs over the years but re motor sport related ones most are truly dire, even about potentially fascinating subjects. They are normally anything but warts and all , or sometimes are warts and nothing else. Worth reading are Richard Williams Death of Senna- not technically a biog but it is superb; The Lost Generation by David Tremayne (re Pryce, Brise and Willimason ), same author re Jochen Rindt. The two recent biogs re Ecclestone are worth a read,but the one I do want to read is the definitive one which we all know will not happen util norisk of libel because subject deceased. I read Tiff Needell's autobiog- ok in avery lightweight way and you can almost hear the sound of axes being ground as you read it - the tune they play is 'I shoulda been a contender'(could have - yes- but like scores of other top line but not elite drivers - Julian Bailey,Anthony Reid etc did well but not as well as hoped for )
The outstanding near biography is Karl Ludvigsen's book on Colin Chapman- a superb work and almost embarassingly better than the late Jabby Crombac's very rose tinted work(which is still a good read however ).
Gerald Donaldson's Villenuve biography is also excellent
The outstanding near biography is Karl Ludvigsen's book on Colin Chapman- a superb work and almost embarassingly better than the late Jabby Crombac's very rose tinted work(which is still a good read however ).
Gerald Donaldson's Villenuve biography is also excellent
As someone with a life-long fascination with World War 2, and also having that syllabus as a History module for my up-coming mature student course, I have often wondered if I should read Hitler's pre-war biography 'Mein Kampf.'
Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
As someone with a life-long fascination with World War 2, and also having that syllabus as a History module for my up-coming mature student course, I have often wondered if I should read Hitler's pre-war biography 'Mein Kampf.'
Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
Reading it doesn't endorse him and you can rest easy as after all he won't be getting the royalties! Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
As someone with a life-long fascination with World War 2, and also having that syllabus as a History module for my up-coming mature student course, I have often wondered if I should read Hitler's pre-war biography 'Mein Kampf.'
Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
I often thought the same, by buying his book it's almost like you're giving Hitler some credibility which is why i've never bothered to read a copy.Difficult decision. One the one hand, he was obviously an important, fascinating and hugely important historical figure that changed the fabric and shape of the World in a huge way. Amazing how one man, his propaganda and retinue could mobilise and create such a massive campaign.
On the other hand, he was a mental, cold, murdering psycopath that happily committed and facilitated some of the worst crimes against humanity the world has ever seen.
So, I kinda worry that by purchasing a copy and reading it - even for it's History and my own learning, it still kinda endorses in some small way his beliefs and endeavours. Know what I mean?
Anyway - has anyone else read it - and if so, I'd love to hear your comments?
On a much more cheery note, Milton O Thompson who flew NASA's lifting body aircraft and the X-15 rocket planes wrote a couple of books about his experiences. Both books are funny, informative and a window back to a period of time/life style the likes of which will never be seen again.
Michael Crawford's auto Parcel Arrived Safely: Tied With String
Bought for me yearsss ago but I found it boring
and
Changeling: The Autobiogrpahy of Mike Oldfield
More interesting and explains much about his unconventional personality
I have Long Walk To Freedom sitting on the shelf and one year i shall tackle it
I'd also like to read Kate Adie's The Kindness of Strangers
Bought for me yearsss ago but I found it boring
and
Changeling: The Autobiogrpahy of Mike Oldfield
More interesting and explains much about his unconventional personality
I have Long Walk To Freedom sitting on the shelf and one year i shall tackle it
I'd also like to read Kate Adie's The Kindness of Strangers
Cochrane: Britania's Sea Wolf.
Rip roaring account of the incredible life of one of the UK's greatest unsung heroes, highly recommended.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cochrane-Britannias-Cassel...
Be warned though - reading it will make anyone feel like a feckless under-achiever!
Rip roaring account of the incredible life of one of the UK's greatest unsung heroes, highly recommended.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cochrane-Britannias-Cassel...
Be warned though - reading it will make anyone feel like a feckless under-achiever!
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