Biography Books > B Biography Books > D

Advantages: Some new insights
Disadvantages: Hardly History with a capital H

...still circulate. BRINGING THE HOUSE DOWN David Profumo starts with his parents' backgrounds. His mother is probably most memorable these days for her roles as the adult Estella in Lean's movie 'Great Expectations', and Lady Edith D'Ascoyne in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'. Photogenic but haughty in appearance, Hobson starred in many British films of the 1940s and 50s, and eventually became celebrated for her role on stage in the musical 'The King and ...
...already married, to Tony Havelock-Allens. Eventually he obligingly allowed her to divorce him. Profumo Junior is at pains to emphasise his happy and comfortable childhood, which sounds positively idyllic up to a certain point. It is moving to read about a seven-year-old woken by noisy reporters outside his London home. There's a memorable scene of a chap trying to force his way in but restrained by their butler as an indignant Hobson shouts: 'Leave ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting, educational, challenging
Disadvantages: None

...with autism for example. Born on a blue day is an extraordinary insight into the challenges that Daniel Tammet faced from childhood with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome, of his difficulties in interacting with the world and other people, of discovering that he was not like others. We learn of his development, and how he overcomes the hurdles of isolation and insecurity, and begin to fathom what it is to live with autism. ... Read review

Advantages: Highly entertaining
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

This is one of the best autobiographies that I have read - and I have read quite a few (Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Mo Mowlam to name but a few!). I was fortunate enough to pick my (battered but still readable) copy at a church fayre for 10p! Charting the career of this lovable and aristocratic actor through his career, starting with how he got into acting, his life in the USA, his life in the RAF during the war and how he got back into acting ...
...friendships, particularly with Errol Flynn, and contains approximately 20-25 balc and white photographs of him, his friends and his family. I don't want to give too much away, as I whole heartedly recommend that you buy and read the book (even if it is a little old) but ...... The title of the book derives its name from the director of the 'Charge of the Light Brigade'. One of the scenes required some horses to run across the battlefield after ... Read review

Advantages: Another iconic actor
Disadvantages: I guess you have to like Hemmings

WHO IS DAVID HEMMINGS? British actor born in Guildford in 1941, best known for 'Blow Up', as Nolan in 'The Charge of the Light Brigade, Dildano (ooer) in Barbarella, and Camelot. He died in 2003 almost on set in Bucharest while filming 'Blessed'. He was 62, and should have stayed around to do more very good character acting as in 'Last Orders' (200). WHY DID I BUY IT? As a great fan of director Antonioni's 1967 cult film 'Blow Up', loosely based ...
...such as David Bailey in particular. I quite like Hemmings as an actor: and he was very beautiful when young in a Terence Stamp kinda way - they were often rivals for the same film roles, although they apparently never met. The title and cover photo of Hemmings behind a camera, in a still from the film, was a clever marketing device which hooked me. CONTENT Somewhat chronologically rambling account of an interesting career and life. The book starts ... 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