Biography Books > M Biography Books > 15 GBP to 19 GBP

Advantages: Very readable, interesting, informative
Disadvantages: Sometimes lacking in detail, descriptions of executions

Marie Antoinette is a widely known historical personnage - infamous for her callousness towards the starving peasants ("Let them eat cake!") and for having her head chopped off during the French Revolution, a victim of the guillotine, yet few attempts have ever been made to go beyond the stereotypes and actually investigate the character of this celebrity queen. Noted historian Antonia Fraser aims to correct this, and has largely succeeded in a very ...
...reputed sexual insatiability (in truth Marie was quite sexually inexperienced even after marriage and quite pious as well, the allegations deeply upset and shocked her), and of her legendary arrogance, spending inordinate sums of money even as the people of France starved (while she did spend lavishly, even the Royal Family trimmed their expenses in the time of need!) My main criticism is that in its focus of Marie Antoinette alone, the book fails ... Read review

Advantages: Beautifully presented book, great content, extensively researched
Disadvantages: Slightly expensive for the casual fan

...so many books available about Marilyn Monroe, that it is often a wonder why so many new ones get published. Biography after biography arrives, most of them rehashing the same old photos with the same kind of text. But occasionally, a new book on the film star comes along which has a refreshing perspective to offer. One such book is this – Marilyn Monroe Private and Undisclosed by Michelle Morgan. Being a longtime fan herself and President of the ...
...background knowledge of a devoted Marilyn fan, but has added a whole new level of research on the topic. In the quest to discover new aspects and details of Marilyn’s life, Morgan has contacted former boyfriends, co-stars and friends who knew the actress, many of whom have never shared their memories before. This extra level of research has also led to the uncovering and subsequent publication of rare and unpublished photographs. There are over seventy ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, fun and easy to read
Disadvantages: I want her life

I bought this book on a spur of the moment shopping trip, basically because I was interested to see how Coleen went from being a schoolgirl to a WAG in such a short space of time. I was amazed to read her story and see how down to earth she really was, even after being catapulted at amazing speed into the limelight. She was even thoughtful enough to come back to her book and update it with her wedding plans for the release of the paperback edition. ...
...quick life update, within which she includes girly pages with tips on make-up, fashion, nights out and quizzes, making it so much more like a diary. It is really easy to read and highly enjoyable to learn how down to earth she is and how she enjoys nothing more than snuggling on her sofa watching the soaps just like the rest of us. ... Read review

Advantages: Shows a reverse perspective.
Disadvantages: Heartbreaking at times.

...six, makes this sometimes a little difficult to read and comprehend. ( I have a six year old daughter and the idea of her seeing the atrocities that the author did is heartbreaking to me). Amongst all the fear, desperation, hunger and complete and utter exhaustion is the story of the true hero's of this book……. The people. The true humanitarian feeling you get throughout the entire book is astounding, the people who have nothing and nowhere to ...
...a stranger, the people who fear for their homes due to the "invasion" of the English and like, who at a moments notice, will have someone "billeted" to them, ( this is what they called the refugees, after they were allocated a bed or home in the village they happen to come across) and show the refugees unforgettable kindness by providing a warm bed for the night and a delicious meal to boot. This book is full of sadness, and the stories of the complete ... Read review

Advantages: Full account of life, family disputes, munich tragedy and world cup win.
Disadvantages: I paid high price - you wont.

I am not a Manchester United fan, I am a spurs fan and a passionate lover of football. I bought this book because I had a vague interest in his life and wanted to know more about the lives of one of the 1966 world cup winners. Sir Bobby charlton goes in depth into his accounts of the tragedy of Munich, recounts his memories of the Busby Babes, and through his book manages to actually take you through a timeline of British and European football from ...
...Newcaslte at a young age, his early football career, the heights of manchester United and the loss of a team in Munich. He recounts his stories of some of the greatest footballers e.g. Denis Law, George Best and Stanley Matthews, above all teaches us more about the lives of Duncan Edwards and other great footballers lost in Germany. He explains his sibling relationship with his brother Jack and the family problems he encountered in his life. Sir ... Read review