Biography Books > B Biography Books > S

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: 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: A damned enjoyable read to raise a laugh.
Disadvantages: None for me.

The Author. Stephen D. Smith, locally known as Steve, started work as an office boy in a law firm, attending night school and eventually becoming a qualified solicitor himself. Two years after qualifying, he set up his own practice in Rotherham with a partner Steven Wilford in 1981. Not only has he become a highly successful solicitor but also an accomplished public speaker and author. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 for his services to charity. ...
...uncorrected proofs version published in 2006 and although there is a new titled edited edition, I would think that the basic content would be the same. I also believe that the book was originally published in the mid 1990's, although I am unable to confirm that. There are the usual initial pages to begin with, an about the author, contents pages, a foreword by another author, Gervase Phinn, a preface by the author himself and a page of acknowledgements. ... Read review

Advantages: A very entertaining read
Disadvantages: none

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Billy is a very complex character but Pamela really understands him & seems to be able to get into his mind at times. She is an excellent writer & introduces lots of humour into the book. The book charts his life from birth to the star he is today. Billy was born and brought up in the tenements of Glasgow where he lived in poverty and was sexually abused by his father. Billy's teavhers thought he was slow and stupid, ...
...his comedy on his colleagues. Billy worked his way up from doing stand up comedy in pubs and clubs to become an international star you can't help but love. Billy and Pamela seem to be happily married but this must be due in part to Pamela's tolerance and undertanding of Billy's mind! I am sure you will find this book to be a very entertaining read. ... 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