Biography Books > L Biography Books > J

Advantages: A real insight into an interesting figure
Disadvantages: Reed can be quite pretentious sometimes

"Lipstick, Sex, and Poetry" is billed rather threateningly as the "first autobiography" by the bisexual poet and novelist Jeremy Reed. In fact Reed seems to have a selective memory and the book consists almost entirely of memories and thoughts about sex separated by highly metaphysical speculation on the nature of poetry. Reed's androgynous looks and use of make-up tended to get him into trouble with irate motorists, but it had its positive side: ...
...on a deserted beach. My eyes were closed but I could sense someone encroaching. Without speaking a word, a girl screened by masses of black curls began..." What she actually began to do isn't really printable in a family site, but Reed helpfully adds "Things like that happen all the time when you are an androgyne." So that's how it's done. One of the main themes of Reed's book is the repeated point "at sixteen I was looking for a new species. I am ... Read review

Advantages: A fitting monument to a literary giant
Disadvantages: Will appeal only to a limited audience

...a Johnson play - "human like the rest of them." As a result, there is a wry scepticism in some of Coe's humorous asides. For example, quoting an overwrought early poem full of virgins and unicorns, Coe asks "is anything really being recorded here, apart from Johnson's frustration at not being allowed inside somebody's pants for several weeks?" Having devoted such a chunk of his life to Johnson, I think Coe is entitled to such a robust attitude. ...
...it, I imagine they would, like me, first seek out Johnson's novels (four are still in print, three in an omnibus edition). Plausibly, those interested in literary biography as a genre would read it too. Coe wrestles with biographical conventions throughout the book. Much of it relies on verbatim extracts. He makes sardonic asides to the reader ("No flicking forward by the way, this is a bound object, a work of 'enforced consecutiveness' not some ... 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

Advantages: Shows a reverse perspective.
Disadvantages: Heartbreaking at times.

...six, makes this sometimes a little difficult to read and comprehend. ( I have a six year old daughter and the idea of her seeing the atrocities that the author did is heartbreaking to me). Amongst all the fear, desperation, hunger and complete and utter exhaustion is the story of the true hero's of this book……. The people. The true humanitarian feeling you get throughout the entire book is astounding, the people who have nothing and nowhere to ...
...a stranger, the people who fear for their homes due to the "invasion" of the English and like, who at a moments notice, will have someone "billeted" to them, ( this is what they called the refugees, after they were allocated a bed or home in the village they happen to come across) and show the refugees unforgettable kindness by providing a warm bed for the night and a delicious meal to boot. This book is full of sadness, and the stories of the complete ... Read review

Advantages: Full account of life, family disputes, munich tragedy and world cup win.
Disadvantages: I paid high price - you wont.

I am not a Manchester United fan, I am a spurs fan and a passionate lover of football. I bought this book because I had a vague interest in his life and wanted to know more about the lives of one of the 1966 world cup winners. Sir Bobby charlton goes in depth into his accounts of the tragedy of Munich, recounts his memories of the Busby Babes, and through his book manages to actually take you through a timeline of British and European football from ...
...Newcaslte at a young age, his early football career, the heights of manchester United and the loss of a team in Munich. He recounts his stories of some of the greatest footballers e.g. Denis Law, George Best and Stanley Matthews, above all teaches us more about the lives of Duncan Edwards and other great footballers lost in Germany. He explains his sibling relationship with his brother Jack and the family problems he encountered in his life. Sir ... Read review