Biography Books > P Biography Books > less than 5 GBP

Advantages: Funny in parts, an easy read, entertaining in some ways.
Disadvantages: Appears rushed, a bit of a let down, stick to the day job.

...copy I have been reading the other. No doubt he will be flogging one copy eventually. If anyone hasn't heard of Peter Kay I will elaborate slightly. Peter Kay Peter Kay is a thirty something, chubby comedian from Bolton, Lancashire. He was born and brought up in Bolton , where he still lives today. As with a lot of comedians he went through his young years trying to be the school funny man, entertainer and general class ...
...jobs, such as working for the supermarket Netto and in a Bingo Hall, plus the characters that he met along the way, provided much of the backbone for his comedy. He won the North-West comedian of the year in 1996 and launched himself on the comedy circuit. By 1997 he had won Channel 4's "So you think you're funny" competition and later was nominated for the Perrier Award. Since this time he has won plenty of other awards and has gradually become ... 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 must-read for football fans and 60s nostalgists
Disadvantages: A must-to-avoid for anyone else

News of the untimely death of Peter Osgood yesterday put me in mind of this review of his autobiography, written three years ago. The review was originally entitled "Born is the...." to echo the song sung in praise of Ossie by Chelsea supporters at Stamford Bridge stadium. I thought of revising the review to make it more of an obituary (and to edit out the bits of it that were about me rather than about him), but somehow it seems more poignant left ...
...Osgood was just another over-idolised sports star, but he also exemplified an era, the passing of which is to be regretted, as is the passing of all human experience. And his passing, of course. * Personal Preamble - How I came by my copy * Geoff has been a friend of mine for many years, so naturally we don't give each other Christmas presents. I remember meeting him in my ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting in places, informative, an easy read
Disadvantages: Some bits are dull and repetitive

...Patsy Palmer, so I borrowed All of Me from the library. Patsy is most known for her role as Bianca in EastEnders - you remember, the one with really long red hair who was married to Ricky? Yes, that's the one. The book is 310 pages long and tells Patsy's story from childhood through to the end of 2006. She is now thirty-five years old, married with three children. Her daughter shares the same name as one of my daughters - Emilia - which is one reason ...
...book's title. If you put All of Me into a search, you will find it has been used as the title for umpteen books, albums and films over the years. Even Patsy's EastEnders co-star Barbara Windsor has an autobiography called All of Me! So it is rather clichéd and makes it a bit dull. It is also a bit ridiculous, as there is no way a book could really tell everything! As with every autobiography, this is the edited highlights. There will be some things ... Read review

Advantages: Informative, a must for G N R fans
Disadvantages: None

...read' for any fans of Guns N Roses or anyone who wants to know a bit more about those guys who wrote 'November Rain'. Paul Stenning gives an in depth portrayal of how 'five of the most ragtag urchins' met and formed a unique and amazing band. Charting their early rehersals and song writing,as well as a liberal sprinkling of 'extra curricular activities' this unauthorised biography takes us through the hits that became 'Appetite for Destruction' and ...
...it interesting to read the inspriration behind some of the hits, for example Slash messing about on the guitar became the riff for 'Sweet Child Of Mine' while 'Right Next Door To Hell' was a reference to some of Axl's unfortunate neighbours. There is plenty of information from Axl's early childhood which gives an insight into his later mental state. While most of his lyrics are deep and heartfelt, they range paradoxically from beautiful, through ... Read review