Biography Books > M Biography Books > M

Advantages: Interesting social history aspects
Disadvantages: A fairly despicable subject

If I was to tell you that in her autobiography "Don't Wake Me at Doyles'", Maura Murphy describes herself as being born "chronically ugly and cross as a briar" in 1920s Ireland, you might think that you're in line for some heartbreaking but humorous and self-deprecating tales in the vein of Frank McCourt's best-selling "Angela's Ashes" (Doyles' of the books title is the name of an Offaly bar where Maura Murphy's husband spent most of his free -time ...
...greatly of Frank McCourt). Indeed, this is how the account starts - a charming account of a typical upbringing in a poverty stricken Irish family. Maura Murphy paints an eye-catching picture and tells a good story despite the lack of a formal education and she should certainly feel proud of this her first published work. However, quite what Mrs Murphy's motives in writing the book were, is unclear and what you feel about Maura Murphy affects your ... Read review

Advantages: good reading
Disadvantages: none

While clearing some stuff out recently, I came accross this book. I first read it a number of years ago whne it was first realeased and decided to have another read. I don't know why I originally decided to read this book, as I am not particularly a huge fan of Martine McCutcheon, but I am glad I did. Admittidly she is quite young to write an autobiography, so you would think that she doesn't really have much experience on lif or her career at the ...
...is written in such a way that you culd actually imagine Martine speaking and telling you her story, she is so down to earth and it gives you some insight into her life form growing up as a child to the present day. There are also a number of photos included from various points in her life. Martine tells the story from when she was born. She was born into one of the least promising backgrounds and spent most of her childhood with her mum on the run ... Read review

Advantages: Beautifully presented book, great content, extensively researched
Disadvantages: Slightly expensive for the casual fan

...so many books available about Marilyn Monroe, that it is often a wonder why so many new ones get published. Biography after biography arrives, most of them rehashing the same old photos with the same kind of text. But occasionally, a new book on the film star comes along which has a refreshing perspective to offer. One such book is this – Marilyn Monroe Private and Undisclosed by Michelle Morgan. Being a longtime fan herself and President of the ...
...background knowledge of a devoted Marilyn fan, but has added a whole new level of research on the topic. In the quest to discover new aspects and details of Marilyn’s life, Morgan has contacted former boyfriends, co-stars and friends who knew the actress, many of whom have never shared their memories before. This extra level of research has also led to the uncovering and subsequent publication of rare and unpublished photographs. There are over seventy ... Read review

Advantages: Evocative of more glamorous times
Disadvantages: Shallow

Perhaps I'm going to be a little harsh on this book, after the joy of reading his brother Frank's books. At times I was reminded of the great david Niven's books "The moon's a balloon" and "Bring on the empty horses" in a similar autobiographical style, but when you're not that famous namedropping is so passe. Content I got pissed, I got fucked and I travelled; end of story. Yes I was harsh, there are some quite humorous moments and yes there ... Read review

Advantages: Thrilling
Disadvantages: Terrifying

...where fighting was commonplace. Fifty Dead Men Walking is the best selling autobiography that tells us his story of behind the scenes at both the IRA and the Special Branch, working as Agent Carol, it is estimated that he has saved over fifty lives (hence the title of the book), most of whom would never know the risks he has taken to save them, but he shares it all with us and it truly is a fascinating read. As a child Marty witnessed much brutality, ...
...see in our lifetimes, not just at the hands of the IRA but also at the hands of the Armed Forces, but as an adult he witnessed far more than imaginable. Like many any young boys from working class families, he ends up wheeling and dealing in many illegal money making schemes never seeming to gain any reputable full time employment always managing to avoid the IRA Policing Squad, many would report crimes to the IRA rather than the local authorities ... Read review