Biography Books > B Biography Books > 5 GBP to 9 GBP > by Title (First Letter)

Advantages: Great introduction to Bennett.
Disadvantages: Quite pricey for a short book.

‘Telling Tales’ by Alan Bennett does exactly what it says on the cover… Alan Bennett, one of the country’s best loved wordsmiths, tells ten tales about his childhood in Leeds, a provincial city in the West Riding where life generally tended to avoid. In several of the tales Bennett details the causes of his frustration as a youth – he knew that his family was very ordinary (not working class, but certainly not middle class), yet at the same time ...
...that life for everyone else was much different to hers and that the cocktail party lifestyle she read about in Woman’s Own was the norm and attainable by a move to the hallowed ‘down South’. We learn much about Bennett’s ‘Mam and Dad’ (so good to see the word Mam, I feel I’m one of the few who still uses it). Their real names were Lil and Walt, but as in many households, the birth of the first child sees real names being wrapped in paper and only ... Read review

Advantages: Explains everything clearly, entertains and portrays Eleanor in a new light
Disadvantages: Hard going at times with a rather dry style

...the dearth of material on Eleanor, especially from unbiased sources. Neither does it help that she never personally corresponded with anyone. Boyd cuts through the rumours and slander spread by Eleanor's enemies and presents her as a strong feminist who refused to be a victim. He tells the story of Eleanor's life using her image as a roadmap: from the sculpted face of her youth found in Bordeaux Cathedral to her effigy at Fontevraud. This adds an ...
...a linear fashion. I liked this device, especially as Boyd refers to the pictures he uses throughout the text, rather than lumping them together with no reference or explanation. From a literary point of view, it also allows the reader to imagine Eleanor more effectively and thus makes the story more enjoyable. Boyd wins brownie points for using maps of France to explain the various territories and who ruled them in the 12th century, and for including ... Read review

Advantages: A gripping story of determination
Disadvantages: I can't think of one!

This is not the sort of book i would normally choose to read but a friend insisted i should give it a whirl, being open minded i did and boy am i glad i did! This truly inspirational story of a child that defied all the odds and made good. It sounds like sentimental clap trap i know... that's what i thought but it's anything but. Constance Briscoe is bought up in a large family where she is humilated, beliitled, shamed and abused by her Mother and ...
...and just when she feels she has no purpose in life a Barrister visits her school and inspires Constance of what she could achieve. With no support from her family, left home alone to fend for herself at just 13 years old. Constance driven by her ambition proves to the world exactley what she is capable of. This is a true story. It isn't for the faint hearted, there are chapters that are harrowing and extremely graphic. It will leave you with nothing ... Read review

Advantages: Very truthfull
Disadvantages: none

I found this book great to read mostly because i wanted to find out Garys true feelings on his former bandmate Robbie Williams. Gary is extremely honest about the highs and lows of take that and what happened after the band split He talks about his life before the band when he was first noticed. Gary was the bands front man who wrote the hits ' A million love songs' , 'Pray' and ' Back for good'. He talks about his apprenticeship in the working ... Read review

Advantages: A great read
Disadvantages: I could've kept reading another 100 pages

Stiff Little Fingers were one of the most commercially successful punk bands of the late 70's and early 80's. Formed in Belfast in 1977, they were often wrongly accused of cashing in on the troubles in Northern Ireland. Nothing could be further from the truth, their songs were simply about the things they new best, the army on their streets, the paramilitary organisations influence over communities, and above all, being a teenager in a city where ...
...and went "Jesus Christ, Mr Stiff Little Fingers" And I thought "F*** me, Phil Lynott knows who I am' This is a book not just for the loyal SLF fan, or for people who just have a fond memory of them. It's so well written, funny and entertaining I believe anyone would find it an enjoyable read…Go For It! -------------------------------------- Pages: 190 Sanctuary Publishing ISBN 1-86074-513-X Original price £12.99 ... Read review