Biography Books > A Biography Books > B > 5 GBP to 9 GBP

Advantages: Great introduction to Bennett.
Disadvantages: Quite pricey for a short book.

‘Telling Tales’ by Alan Bennett does exactly what it says on the cover… Alan Bennett, one of the country’s best loved wordsmiths, tells ten tales about his childhood in Leeds, a provincial city in the West Riding where life generally tended to avoid. In several of the tales Bennett details the causes of his frustration as a youth – he knew that his family was very ordinary (not working class, but certainly not middle class), yet at the same time ...
...that life for everyone else was much different to hers and that the cocktail party lifestyle she read about in Woman’s Own was the norm and attainable by a move to the hallowed ‘down South’. We learn much about Bennett’s ‘Mam and Dad’ (so good to see the word Mam, I feel I’m one of the few who still uses it). Their real names were Lil and Walt, but as in many households, the birth of the first child sees real names being wrapped in paper and only ... Read review

Advantages: Funny and enjoyable
Disadvantages: The theatrical sections are a bit heavy going

Writing Home is a collection of Alan Bennett's prose writings, diaries, thoughts on plays and films he has worked on, his family background and much, much more. It was first published in 1994 and is a very good book to dip into now and again when you are stuck for something to read. On the back cover it states that the book brings together twenty-five years worth of reminiscences, reviews, broadcasting and diaries. There are broadly five sections ...
...The style of the writing is naturally very dry, often funny, sometimes moving, a bit left-wing, never too showy, nostalgic, very Northern, very English and strangely comforting. Dipping into this book is like watching an old black and white film with a cup of tea and a biscuit as it rains outside. It's just pleasant to dip into it and be in the company of Bennett for a while. There is far too much material to mention in a review but for me just the ... Read review

Advantages: Funny, incisive and refreshingly honest
Disadvantages: Might put some people off eating out

A couple of years ago we were told that cooking was the new rock'n'roll. If Anthony Bourdain is to be believed, it's the new punk - it's in your face, sharp as a Sabatier knife and it makes no apologies. "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly" is a rollercoaster ride through his career from the lowly days as dishwasher in Provincetown, Cape Cod to the rocky heights of the Rockerfeller Centre's world famous "Rainbow Room". It's ...
...and back to New York again, manage restaurants where he is responsible for everything from the hiring and firing of the waiting staff to creating every dish on the menu. Bourdain is refreshingly honest. His story is told almost warts and all (he can't spill all the beans - there are some people who are just too dangerous to risk angering) and he offers some expert advice for anyone thinking it's a profession they might like to try. He engages the ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to read and follow
Disadvantages: Controversial at times with strong opinions

This is the story of one of Britains most controvercial and opinionated Shock Jock Radio presenters. It takes you along the road of his life in Radio, including Top Shop Radio, for the Top Shop clothes store, Local Radio in Newcastle, Radio Aire in Leeds, where he took his show to Television, to his last show on Talk Sport Radio. It also talks about his diagnosis with Cancer and the setting up of his cancer charity. This book does not dissapoint. ...
...his opinions on a variety of subjects as well as charting his life and career. It also has a wonderful tribute to his personal friend, Bernard Manning, who passed just before the book was published. Witty, controversial and entertaining, this is a must read for all who have listened to the James Whale Radio Show. The book is written by James himself and charts his life at various stages as well as sharing his experiences and opinions. ... Read review

Advantages: Such a moving true story, and a happy ending
Disadvantages: upsetting

...story definitely not recommended for a light , relaxing holiday read. The book is deeply emotional and a completely compelling story. The daily emtions of this poor child are written down it this touching record of David's life. It shows just how hard abused children would find a struggles of daily life, it is a complete eye opener to the harsh reality that is child abuse. Althought i have rated this book excellent i found it difficult to read ...
...for me!) this just shows how gripping the story is. This is a must read for anyone working with children, because it makes you so aware of the nescessity of being on the look out for the tell tale signs of the horror and evil that is child abuse. ... Read review