Biography Books > B Biography Books > less than 5 GBP > by Author Name (First Letter)

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: funny
Disadvantages: none

Funny, entertaining, not that steamy really... For the intellectual ones, don't search for an analysis on prostitutes' behaviour or extensive descriptions of characters in it. It's not that type of book. In my opinion, the tv series with Billy Piper were more entertaining, although they don't leave anything to the imagination. I did have a giggle with it though. Best read as a supplement to your monthly Cosmopolitan, which these days is more explicit ...
...you. Thinking about it, if you are a man you can read it too! You'll be surprised! Easily read, in a diary format. Cheap to buy. Not so easy to carry in public transport, overall if you have the version with Billie in her underwear on the cover. Haha! ... Read review

Advantages: Occasional funny stories and glimpses into Billy
Disadvantages: Not much insight; Name dropping; Wanders off

Following hot on heels from the success of 'Billy', Pamela Stephenson's recounting of her husband Billy Connolly's life and how it moulded him, came a sequel of sorts. Bravemouth (so-called because it's the nickname attributed to the Big Yin by Eric Idle, a neighbour in LA don't you know) is a bringing of matters right up to date, with the story of living with Billy for a year - a particular year, this being the one containing his 60th birthday. ...
...shall we say 'modest' start, with an introduction informing us of how well Billy was received and tales of people writing to the celebrity couple after its release to let them know how much Billy's story had inspired them after having gone through similar turmoil. Yes, yes, well done, can we get on with the story please? For a book supposedly with Billy Connolly as its central precept it comes as something of a surprise to learn that Ms Stephenson ... Read review

Advantages: Great story
Disadvantages: I guess you have to like Steele or Sarf London

...Tommy Hicks was born in Bermondsey in 1936. There is some history of Bermondsey and the London borough of Southwark, and in the tradition of the best memoirs this is also a biography of the wider family. Steele includes considerable details of his parents' early poverty, jobs and bereavements. His grandmother was an illegal bookie's runner, father Darbo was a racing tipster, tic-tac man and doorman at a dodgy 'nightclub', and his mother was a tin-basher ...
...account of growing up in Bermondsey before and during the war with its dangers, and the fatal illnesses of three small siblings. A couple of odd, quasi-supernatural encounters are related in a matter-of-fact manner, so the reader can take or leave them. Steele was a bright lad, and admits he always liked being the centre of attention, entertaining his family, sending off 'thrillers' for Enid Blyton's advice, and performing Danny Kaye-ish routines ... Read review

Advantages: Extremely well researched and presented facts.
Disadvantages: Style slightly too academic for me.

...Girls. This biography, Bess of Hardwick: First Lady of Chatsworth, is her latest published work. Her next book is due to be a family biography called The Churchills. She lives in the New Forest area of Hampshire and is interested in horses, aviation and sailing. She also likes travelling and is a member of The Royal Geographical Society. *** Peak District Connections *** I love relaxing in the Peak District, and as a result of spending many happy ...
...a lot about Bess of Hardwick, through visiting property once owned by her, and wanted to find out more. This book tells in academic detail her rise to become the second wealthiest women in Elizabeth I's England, having acquired much property in the Midlands including the Chatsworth Estate and Harwick Halls (both new and old versions). The author appears to want to accept no previous research into this lady at face value. (Inaccurate "facts" have ... Read review