Biography Books > R Biography Books > 5 GBP to 9 GBP

Advantages: Fabulous twisting of the English language
Disadvantages: May not appeal to those of a weak disposition

My Booky wook is a brutally honest biography of the English dandy Russel Brand. He may fool us with his massive hair and strange twistings of the english language but Brand opens up and lets us enter what became a drug fueled hedonism jumping from extreme highs to dangerous lows. When I first saw the book I knew I wanted to read it, with a name like 'My booky wook' written in slightly blurred neon pink, it perfectly reflects Brand's unique sense ...
...of what else is included here are some of the chapter names (in no particular order), - umbilical noose - boobaloo - Dagenham is not Damascus - First class twit - A gentleman with a bike This book begins and ends with Russel in a sex addiction clinic everything in between re-enforces why it was probably a good idea that he ended up there. Following his life so far, from baby to bounder we see how the women in Russel's life played a key role ... Read review

Advantages: Funny, honest, endearing and engaging.
Disadvantages: Sometimes you want to shout "Get a grip on yourself, man".

You spend all of those years as a member of the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World, and you end up, unsurprisingly, with drug and alcohol problems and frequent trips to rehab. More of a surprise is the revelation that Ronnie Wood never had much in the way of cash through these seemingly plentiful, hay-making years, and when he did, he did his best to blow it all as quickly as possible. That he seems to be on more of an even financial keel ...
...above all, he comes across as a decent, honest bloke who would happily share a pint with you. Of lemonade, these days, I guess. A cut above the usual rock star autobiography for its candour, its wide-eyed naivety, and eye-popping tales of Miami drug dealers, life on the road and with the family. Almost worth the cover price just for the tale of the emptying of Tony Curtis's wine cellar. ... Read review

Advantages: Awe Inspiring
Disadvantages: Not for the faint hearted.

Some people may show a slight frown on a Christmas morning when they open an envelope containing a £20 Waterstones gift voucher, sat there amongst a sea of discarded wrapping paper wondering how it came to this. Not me sir. A useful gift, that will be put to good use on broadening my mind as opposed to polluting it with cheap ale. Waited for the sales I did, and got my merry behind down to the famous bookshop, with youthful excitement, and an eagerness ...
...Ranulph Fiennes; adventurer, explorer, military man and athlete. Keen to learn of his exploits and daring quests to be the first, I knew I would not be disappointed. Fiennes is a man's man. Calling a spade a spade, combining his daring pursuits with a natural charm and dose of humbling memoirs makes this exceptional reading. I defy anyone who reads this and then is not inspired to get down to the tent shop, pack a bag and walk to Antarctica. Away ... Read review

Advantages: Informs without dictating
Disadvantages: Difficult to read (emotionally)

...would be her final takeoff. Finding Amelia aims to separate the facts from the mountains of fiction and piece together Amelia's final days as far as we can ascertain. Part of the fascination with Amelia Earhart is due to her status as a feminist icon, despite not being an unusually talented pilot. As Gillespie says: "Earhart's piloting skills were average at best, but good looks, good luck, genuine courage, a talent for writing... made her one of ...
...a challenge to others." Finding Amelia can be difficult reading at times, not least because of the amount of misinformation and lack of communication involved. That's the real tragedy: that if the numerous mistakes hadn't been made, there is a good chance that the rescue mission would have been successful. Amelia was blamed for all kinds of things that weren't her fault, such as rejecting a suggestion that she use lower radio frequencies - a suggestion ... Read review

Advantages: Gripping, informative
Disadvantages: May be found quite hard going

Carla Van Raay's autobiography "Gods Callgirl" details the life of a naive, immature girl, then woman who is devoted to God but goes from obedient convent girl to sexual prostitute over the course of her life, but remains as naive as ever. This life story is divided into three parts and develops the tale of this Dutch girl's life over the course of the book. Part one examines the life of a child abused by her father, yet finding she felt abandoned ...
...God from a very young age. As a school girl she idolising the convent and her sole ambition in life is to serve God as a nun in one of Australia's many convents. As an early teenager feeling unloved at home by her family yet supporting her mother in everyday chores and childcare of her brothers and sister she found herself believing she was a product of the devil. A problem no confession could speak of, and no action could heal. Part two follows ... Read review