Biography Books > D Biography Books > J

Advantages: You will never forget the experience and will open your eyes
Disadvantages: Someone had to suffer to bring us this story.

When i started reading this book my heart was not prepared for the journey i was about to undertake. The front cover gives you an idea how intense the book is likely to be but until you actually get into it you have not idea of the intensity or detail that Julia takes you through from start to finish. I guarantee that you will not want to put this book down even though at parts you will find it difficult to read when it becomes very detailed but ...
...book and leave it closed... yes i tried and failed miserably, and you will feel like her best friend willing her and supporting her through the hard times and difficulties you will face. You will want to talk to her to give her advice and feel frustrated that even though you are talking to her through a book she cant actually hear you and you want to there for her and guide her. I actually read this book from start to finish in a day - and got severely ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic, true story, told by the descendant of one of the participants.
Disadvantages: Might take a long time to read.

A remarkable book on several fronts, it is a comprehensive account of the factors and events leading up to a due to the death in the town of Kirkcaldy in Fife, Scotland, and more interesting, it is written by James Landale, a descendant of David Landale, one of the participants (the surviving one, as it happens). In brief, it recounts a dispute between a merchant (David Landale), and his banker (George Morgan, an ex army officer). Surprisingly, ...
...the (fatal) winning hit on George Morgan, and instantly becomes a fugitive, as duelling was illegal by that time. He made good his escape, but later surrendered to justice, and was dealt with leniently, as he had not instigated the confrontation, but had been obliged to take part as a result of the moral code that pertained at the time. Cover price £14.95 in hardback, and available cheaper online from the usual places. Well worth a read, but a long ... Read review

Advantages: Gripping and factual
Disadvantages: You're forced to think (that's an advantage, really)

Daughters of Arabia follows on from Jean Sasson’s previous book, “Princess”, which I would advise you to read first. Princess is a biography based on the life and hardships of an Arab woman growing up in and struggling with the oppressed role of Islamic women. Yet this is not some knee-jerk criticism of another culture; rather an objective study of the origins of and reasons for what the West sees as a subservient role. Saudi Arabia receives much ...
...what you are reading is factual. Daughters of Arabia is a sequel, following the lives of the Princess’s two daughters, who are born into what has become a wealthier society, but still filled with oppression and injustice. Both books are troubling, yet inspiring, and a highly recommended read. ... Read review

Advantages: Insight into a pampered life
Disadvantages: You could get sick of reading about the obscene wealth

...true life trilogy and buy Desert Royal by Jean Sasson. It can be quite confusing when purchasing this book because there is another title by Jean Sasson called Princess Sultana’s Circle which is, as I understand it, the American version of Desert Royal (or it could be vice versa!). So, Desert Royal continues the story of the life of Princess Sultana and her family – her husband Kareem and her two daughters Maha and Amani. As with the first two ...
...royal Saudis which is all due to the exploration of oil in Saudi Arabia. When I first read Princess I was genuinely sympathetic towards Sultana but, after reading the trilogy, I do believe that she is just another pampered princess looking for a good cause to fight, albeit hers is a somewhat silent fight. Sasson again writes in a style which helps the reader to visualise the pampered lifestyle of the princess and other Saudi royals. Let us not ... 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