Biography Books > P Biography Books > by Author Name (First Letter)

Advantages: A great read
Disadvantages: A bit to graphic

I was recently given this book to read by a family member, and to be honest when I asked her what the story was about I was quite dubious as to whether I wanted to read it or not as this is not the type of story I would personally go for myself. I must say though that once I started reading I could not put it down and had completed it in two days. This book has twenty chapters, an acknowledements page and an Introduction which goes : " There are ...
...abuse on a daily basis. You can turn a blind eye and consider this too nasty to read about, or you can take a courageous step forward and share a few moments from my world. We can only bring about change by doing something postitve and being prepared to listen. This is my story." The book as a whole, is a mans biography of how he spent his childhood being abused both mentally and sexually by his step father. All he wants is for his father to love ... Read review

Advantages: Fascinating story, evocative details, beautiful writing
Disadvantages: I didn't want it to end

"A Portrait of a Turkish Family" is an autobiographical work that tells the story of one Ottoman family from the turn of the twentieth century through the First World War and the establishment of Turkey as a republic. Irfan Orga was the eldest of three children; his mother was born into the harem - as were most women of such standing - and married at the age of thirteen. When the book opens, Irfan and his parents and younger brother live with his ...
...often idyllic childhood with warmth and humour, depicting the childlike vigour of his mother, the haughtiness of his grandmother and the kindness of the servants. One memorable episode describes a trip to the hamam (Turkish baths) with his mother and grandmother that is like a trip to the beach with the servants instructed to prepare hampers of food for the day. Orga writes "She always engaged private room for herself at the hamam; a room for disrobing ... Read review

Advantages: Great book if you love Deric Longden's writing
Disadvantages: You would be better starting with an earlier book if new to his writing

...to arrive from Amazon. Paws in the Proceedings is the latest in a line of books which looks at life in the Longden household and, given the title, I was hoping it would make a lovely follow on from 'The cat that came in from the cold' and 'Enough to make a cat laugh' which were his two previous book about the felines in his life. It sort of does that because woven throughout the book is the tale of the latest arrival, Nokia, and how he fits in with ...
...it also continues with varied tales of Deric and Aileen's life and the numerous problems that befall them and their extended family. I read this book within a couple od days of receiving it which is testament to the fact that I enjoyed it and because it is formed from lots of little tales of Deric's escapades it is quite easy to find sensible breaks to put it down which would make it an ideal book to dip into and out of. Deric's humour is as good ... Read review

Advantages: Learn things about yourself you never knew
Disadvantages: Can be emotional

...(at the end of this year and the beginning of 2007) which I look forward immensely to purchasing and reading through. # PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives (compiled by Frank Warren) # Hardcover: 278 pages # Publisher: ReganBooks (Dec 2005) # Language English # ISBN: 0060899190 ... Read review

Advantages: Challenging and Entertaining
Disadvantages: Some people may be offended by it's contents

Joe Orton was famous, homosexual, scandalous and murdered. The celebrated English playwright was killed by his mentally declining lover, Kenneth Halliwell, at the height of his career. The book charts Joe Ortons life in a gripping fashion. The young lad showed disturbing attitudes towards people, viewing them in a cold and detached fashion, yet with a kind of morbid fascination. His family's rather odd behaviour towards each other is used more than ...
...was the catalyst in him evolving into the outrageous writer that he was during the heady days of the swinging sixties. His partner since drama school was a slightly older man, Kenneth, who was very much his mentor in the early days. He encouraged Joe in his writing, at the expense of his own career, whilst being a creative force and even co-writing a lot of the plays and scripts with Joe. But it was Joe that became famous. Joe was outspoken, young, ... Read review