Biography Books > G Biography Books > less than 5 GBP

Advantages: Well written, you felt you knew them all a little better when finished
Disadvantages: None

...(Cathy Glass) with an extremely damaged young girl that came into her care was truly harrowing. I was in tears after the first few chapters as the story unfolded, the mental damage that had been done to this young child was portrayed perfectly through the excellent writing of this book. Life is really put into perspective when you read about the awful things that this young girl had been subjected to from a young age. Cathy and her family had some ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting read; cheap book
Disadvantages: Not enough background information

...offensive". As this book is written by the man who swore on "Live Aid", it shouldn't be a surprise that the publishers put this warning on the back of it. The book was published in 1986 when Bob was given an honorary knighthood as recognition for his work in trying to relieve famine in Africa. So, it's very out of date and it's actually quite sad when you think of everything that has happened since. The book starts with a prologue - 13th July 1985. ...
...goes back to when Bob is about 4 years old. I would have liked more background information on his parents and his sisters but I suppose in fairness, this is Bob's story. Bob discusses his bad relationship with his father and his hatred of the schools he went to. Later, he tells us how he left school and went to England, then went to Spain to teach English and then went back to Ireland only to move to Canada! He was there as an illegal immigrant ... Read review

Advantages: Easy reading!
Disadvantages: Very stright forward!

As a fan of autobiographies I will always read anyones at least once! Im not a Liverpool fan, nor a massive Gerrard fan but decided on this book as some holiday reading! It done the trick, its light and entertaining at parts. It was very straight forward in its content, simply retelling his childhood and how he became one of Englands most talented footballers. Im always slightly put off by people who can write their life story at such a young age, ...
...I have read. I think maybe 20years along the road with more life and family experience behind him then the book may have been slightly more compelling. A bit like Pele's self titled wonder peice! A perfect example of an extremely gifted football who used his talents and statue to achieve a life worthy of an autobiography! I wouldnt be put off reading it tho, there are a few surprises there! ... Read review

Advantages: Not the usual 'life' story biography, funny and witty
Disadvantages: His film work has doubled since its release, really needs a diaries pt2

...his native Swaziland it was with the words of "You'll never make it as an actor" as this is quoted twice. I found the Withnail behind the scenes stuff interesting, especially the one about where he has to drink 'lighter fluid' which he thought would be water in the container. The crew had switched the water for vinegar and you can see the shock when you watch the film, to his credit stayed in character only to blast them once the cameras had stopped ...
...private hardship he endured with his wife miscarrying and what he felt as he held his departed child, there is another sad moment as he tells of the loss of his father to cancer. After the release of his first film the book takes you into the mechanisms of film productions and Richard's viewpoint makes it a very personal account of this actor. He can be bitchy, offence, very witty and his stories of Hollywood parties he attended were an entertaining ... Read review

Advantages: Some new insights
Disadvantages: Hardly History with a capital H

...still circulate. BRINGING THE HOUSE DOWN David Profumo starts with his parents' backgrounds. His mother is probably most memorable these days for her roles as the adult Estella in Lean's movie 'Great Expectations', and Lady Edith D'Ascoyne in 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'. Photogenic but haughty in appearance, Hobson starred in many British films of the 1940s and 50s, and eventually became celebrated for her role on stage in the musical 'The King and ...
...already married, to Tony Havelock-Allens. Eventually he obligingly allowed her to divorce him. Profumo Junior is at pains to emphasise his happy and comfortable childhood, which sounds positively idyllic up to a certain point. It is moving to read about a seven-year-old woken by noisy reporters outside his London home. There's a memorable scene of a chap trying to force his way in but restrained by their butler as an indignant Hobson shouts: 'Leave ... Read review