Biography Books > R Biography Books > B

Advantages: Thought-provoking and dryly funny.
Disadvantages: Some may find the events disturbing.

When reading 'Running With Scissors', it's worth bearing in mind that, whilst it is a memoir, it is only 'loosely' based on the truth. After publication of the book, how loosely is not clear as the author Auguesten Burroughs is in the process of being sued by the 'Finch' family. The story follows Burroughs sketchy process of puberty in Massachusetts in the Seventies, as he is adopted by his mothers psychiatrist. His mother is particularly unsuccessful ...
...an eccentric psychiatrist who lives in squalor with his wife, 2 of his 7 children and an elderly patient named Joranne. These characters alone make for a promising read, but it's Burroughs wit and attitude that enriches his style of writing that packs a punch with the actual goings-on. With the bizarre and unsettling events that occur within the book, it may be fair to conclude that his unusal, sardonic style of writing may be a coping mechanism ... Read review

Advantages: Accessible writing, touching, er... it won a Pulitzer
Disadvantages: Journalese style and slow pace may not appeal to all.

...unhurried and nice to read? Redbirds is like that and I'll try to tell you about so that you go and read it, because you should. Rick Bragg was born in the deep South of the United States, in Alabama. His father was a violent, hard-drinking man who regularly beat his wife; once as a small child, Bragg saw his mother tip away his fathers 'likker' and watched when his father returned and she simply stood there, took off her glasses and said, "Don't ...
...his peers couldn't quite remove. Redbirds is all about the past, all about making a life which leaves behind the bad, but remains tied to the good, to the duty and responsibility that loving relationships bring. Meandering and reminiscent, it isn't a hurried read; whole chapters sometimes go by without development or a specific point to make, and Bragg often double tracks a little to include an afterthought, but it doesn't really matter, after all, ... Read review

Advantages: Encourages compassion and an insight into differing cultures and religions when the meet
Disadvantages: None

Having read both 'Some Other Rainbow' by John McCarthy and Jill Morrell and 'An Evil Cradling' by Brian Keenan, I found myself inspired to read this book. What I loved best about the books I have mentioned, was despite the hostages suffering, they were able to write so eloquently and so humorously about what had happened to them. Neither, was I disappointed with this book. Once upon a time in the not so distant past, a boy met a girl. Big deal, you ...
...when Jack met Zena their lives were set to change forever. We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers but this is no fictional tale and goes to prove how is so often said, that the truth is much stranger than fiction. Living in a Yorkshire town, Jack is white. The object of his affection is Zena. She is from a Pakistani family of strong Muslims and expected to marry the man chosen for her, a man she has met once at the tender ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic writing, amazing story
Disadvantages: You will probably cry (I did!)

...we would ever see him on tv again, would he be the same person? The first television appearance was on Jonathan Ross, and I tuned in eagerly, to see if the Hamster we all loved was still there. It seemed yes he was, apart from a new love for celery, and an uncanny ability to recall everyone's phone number! What relief. During this time we had been watching the media storm against the BBC and more specifically Top Gear, claims it was dangerous, it ...
...I had found Hammonds interview on Ross fascinating. Being stingy however, I waited until I could pick it up at two books for £7 in the supermarket! (In all fairness, it's only now Mia's reaching one that I get chance to read anyway!). To be honest, I didn't expect a talented writer when I thought of Hammond, which in hindsight, was silly, he is a journalist after all. I was shocked by the unique and direct writing style he used. Somehow, there ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent read
Disadvantages: None

Russell Watson first came to my attention when I heard him sing at the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He sang 'Where my Heart Will Take me' (one of mine and my hubbies all time favourite songs) and I suddenly realised what an amazing voice he had. When I knew he was writing his biography I could not wait to get a copy and read it. Russell starts the book in October 2007 at the time of his collapsed and when he was told he needed ...
...We are then taken back to his childhood where he tells about how he grew up in Sunningdale Drive in Irlam, Manchester. He lived there with his mother and father and his younger sister Hayley. He openly talks about how he had a happy childhood due to the fact that his father always worked his hardest and his Mother always had her radiogram playing, he believes this is where his love for classical music came from. He tells us about the group of friends ... Read review