Biography Books > S Biography Books > less than 5 GBP > by Title (First Letter)

Advantages: It's certainly enlightening!
Disadvantages: Might offend some people.

Please note, Ciao's product description "Intuition is not some magical property..." is not for this book, thanks to Jesi for pointing this out! Introduction Conscious of the fact that my supply of books was starting to get a bit low, I picked some random books off the charity book list at work (for 25p each). Normally I check books out on Amazon first to see what they're about, but I took a chance with this one as it was in the autobiography ...
...my hard earned cash! Getting the book When I received "Confessions of a Working Girl" I took one look at the cover and thought "Chick Lit" (you can see the picture!). I'm not a girly girl I have to say, and rarely read the 'chick lit' genre, so I was initially a bit apprehensive. However, on reading the blurb on the back I was assured that it was a true story, so was fairly eager to get stuck in. The Book Itself The book is set ... 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: Lively and provocative account
Disadvantages: Strongly opinionated

As an ambitious young journalist in the 1960's, Janet Street Porter worked and socialised with many upcoming artists and designers of her generation in London. Street-Porter has maintained a high media profile for several years, appearing on arts shows and presenting her own series - she once did one on long distance walking. She has worked as Editor of the Independent on Sunday, and still contributes a regular column for the Independent. You may ...
...still setting the world to rights. Recently she has become known for TV reality shows - forgive me if I did not mention this first, but its been a while since I actually watched any. She says, that she prefers to mix the serious stuff in with the 'froth'. This is the second volume of her life story. I had not read the first one, 'Baggage', and both volumes have had a somewhat mixed reception. It is an eclectic mix of memoir with a rather brief attempt ... Read review

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: Interesting read and good insight into Hellé Nice's life
Disadvantages: Too absorbing - you'll finish it too quickly

...I found this book in the biography section of my local bookstore, I had never heard of Helene Delangle, or Hellé Nice, the stage name that she took. The synopsis on the back cover intrigued me, and once I'd started reading the opening chapter, I knew I had to purchase and read this book. Helene Delangle was born in 1900 in a tiny French village, just outside of Chartres. She moved to Paris and became a dancer but went on from there to become the ...
...along the way. A serious accident almost ended her racing days, and then later, after the Second World War she was accused of having collaborated with the Gestapo. I'm not going to use this review to go into her life further, as Seymour does this during her book, and frankly, I don't want to ruin it for you! Seymour lays out this book extremely well in order to capture each different period of Hellé's life in equal measure. She begins the story ... Read review