Biography Books > B Biography Books > J

Advantages: a good read
Disadvantages: depressing

I found this book in our local charity shop for a £1 its original price should have been £7.99. I dont usually read biographies, but something in the title intruiged me. It is about an east end family who grew up in depressing conditions with little money. Jenny and her sister oftern suffered under their father who used them to gain moeny from the authorities..The father failed to work as he supposedly had fits. Although he was still capable of ...
...but is not believed. The girls only repireve is when they go to visit thier Aunt. The thing which touched me is Jenny has included family photos in the book, these photos say so much that words cannot, the expressions on the faces, the body language being portrayed its all there, the photos upsset me more than reading the book. The shocking thing near the end is that jenny is martin mccutheons mum. (tiffany in eastenders) ... Read review

Advantages: gives an insight in to the Iraq situation
Disadvantages: none

This book is one which the women on the rearparty forums recommended as one to read, particularly for those those partners have been to Iraq as a way to give them an idea of what those men (and women) had to deal with. The book opens telling us about one of the incidents for which he was awarded the VC, then flicks back in time to his childhood in Grenada, though at first you dont know this. The imaginings of a chidl who loves cars and pretends ...
...of his childhood and family situation gives you an overall feel that this boy had a hard childhood, yet he didnt seem to realise this at the time, constantly looking on the brightside and giving himself something to aim for. He didnt like school and rather than just skiving off and doing nothing he taught himself skills which would allow him to claim a trade. During his childhood period you find that his reasons for not liking school include that ... Read review

Advantages: An entertaining and informative biography
Disadvantages: Could be passed over by non Laurel and Hardy Fans

This excellent biography tells the story of Oliver Hardy , the larger half of the world famous duo.This is an affectionate tribute to an accomplished actor and a truly gentle man . He was christened " Babe" by an Italian barber early in his film career. Stan was the ideas person and Ollie always deferred to his greater innovative skill , although throughout their careers Ollie was more accomplished in front of the camera.However, Ollie's life was ...
...and felt uncomfortable when people who met him commented that they did not realise he was so big.He thought they meant fat , when people were suprised at his height when they met , he being over 6 feet. It was only in later years that Ollie found the true happiness which eluded him for most of his life.This is a superb book ,full of photographs from personal albums and behind the scenes shots. It was first published in 1989 and reprinted in 1990. ... Read review

Advantages: Captivating, Mood Swinging
Disadvantages: Language Use

This has got to be one of my favorite books. My mood was constantly changing throught the book from happy to sad, thrilled to sorrowfull. There are so many different events that occurr in the book that you just cannot predict what is going to happen next (except the innevitable death of the girls mother). You become very attatched to the little girl whilst reading, as she undergoes so much neglection, upset, and confusion. You get so many different ...
...how they are coping with the situations that you cannot judge the families. Although the choice of language used sometimes seems a bit simple, the feel is that the book does not need complex language, and as the girl who is the main character is only young, it suits the style of the book. A very very worthwhile book to read, I must say it changed my views on things dramatically. ... Read review

Advantages: A thrilling true story that you won't want to put down
Disadvantages: Scared me half to death in places. Made me cry in others

I suggested this book to Ciao just as I'd finished re-reading it, yes that's right re-reading, you see I've had the book for a couple of years now and I remember the first time round I simply couldn't put it down and I finished all 303 pages within a couple of days. Now it's very rare for me to read a book more than once, films I can watch over and over but books, they have to be something special to get a second look. Of course I didn't have a toddler ...
...my time and attention. So this time round I've had to take my time over it which usually meant a few pages each night before bed. I'm quite glad of this really as although I enjoyed it immensely the first time round I was so disappointed that I finished it so quickly. This way I could savour the story and get to know the lives of the people it held within its pages. So what attracted me to this book in the first place, well as you will have guessed ... Read review