Which biographies have you read, and why?

Which biographies have you read, and why?

Author
Discussion

DanDC5

18,716 posts

166 months

Monday 6th August 2012
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Ari said:
Both of Chris Evans books.

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

Well worth a read. smile
This.

Murray Walker
Jackie Stewart

Laurel Green

30,767 posts

231 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
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An interesting read.


Hackney

6,800 posts

207 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
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davepoth said:
William Hague's one of Pitt the Younger was very good. I also enjoyed Ulyssses S. Grant's memoirs of the civil war.
Finally, a biography.
Chapeau!

stu1984

809 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
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Currently about half way through reading 'A Life Too Short - The Tragedy of Robert Enke'. Interesting read so far, such a sad story though..... frown

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,910 posts

215 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
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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...


rumple

11,671 posts

150 months

Tuesday 7th August 2012
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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.

Eric Mc

121,680 posts

264 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
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Read many over the years. I've just finished reading Tiff Needel's - which was quite good. He comes across as a very down to earth and self effacing chap.

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Friday 24th August 2012
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Any biographies by Tom Bower are worth reading, not so much warts and all as mainly warts.

epom

11,360 posts

160 months

Sunday 26th August 2012
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Just finihsed 'This is a Call' biography of Dave Grohl, simply because the man is superb beer

Wills2

22,612 posts

174 months

Saturday 1st September 2012
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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.


coppice

8,544 posts

143 months

Saturday 1st September 2012
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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

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,910 posts

215 months

Saturday 1st September 2012
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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?


Ace-T

7,680 posts

254 months

Saturday 1st September 2012
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^^
Make sure you buy it in a double bill with Anne Frank...paperbag

Wills2

22,612 posts

174 months

Saturday 1st September 2012
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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!

Tango13

8,378 posts

175 months

Wednesday 5th September 2012
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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.

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.

stackmonkey

5,077 posts

248 months

Tuesday 11th September 2012
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Stanley Matthews. (I'm from Stoke)
Billy Connolly
Spike Milligan
Stephen Fry (the first one, I think)

Silver

4,372 posts

225 months

Wednesday 12th September 2012
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The Sonia Purnell biography of Boris Johnson is an interesting read and casts some light on the mayor. What's also interesting is the stone-walling of Purnell at BJ's public appearances. It's not entirely flattering but it's not a hatchet job.

Trefy5

459 posts

151 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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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

Roman

2,031 posts

218 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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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!

Silver

4,372 posts

225 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Having read a review, I'd like to give Rupert Everett's biogs a go. They look fascinating.