Biography Books > B Biography Books > 5 GBP to 9 GBP > by Title (First Letter)

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: A great read
Disadvantages: I could've kept reading another 100 pages

Stiff Little Fingers were one of the most commercially successful punk bands of the late 70's and early 80's. Formed in Belfast in 1977, they were often wrongly accused of cashing in on the troubles in Northern Ireland. Nothing could be further from the truth, their songs were simply about the things they new best, the army on their streets, the paramilitary organisations influence over communities, and above all, being a teenager in a city where ...
...and went "Jesus Christ, Mr Stiff Little Fingers" And I thought "F*** me, Phil Lynott knows who I am' This is a book not just for the loyal SLF fan, or for people who just have a fond memory of them. It's so well written, funny and entertaining I believe anyone would find it an enjoyable read…Go For It! -------------------------------------- Pages: 190 Sanctuary Publishing ISBN 1-86074-513-X Original price £12.99 ... Read review

Advantages: A must for all Gary and Take That fans - even for Robbie fans, too!
Disadvantages: None

I cannot add much to the other reviews. This is an excellent read, and a 'must' for all Gary and Take That fans. Here we see the truly sensitive side of a man who was treated mercilessly by the tabloid press, especially when Robbie had his 'big break' with 'Angels' and other massive hits. This is a book written from the heart, by an intelligent, caring and loveable family man, who also happens to be one of the greatest singer/songwriters around. ...
...really brings it home to the reader about how bad the current times are. There is no doubt that Gary's life was greatly influenced by this. It's great that the acrimony between Gary and Robbie seems to have evaporated. I can well recommend this, as a great read. Looking forward to the new album, later this year. (Tony in Matlock, Derbyshire) ... Read review

Advantages: Explains everything clearly, entertains and portrays Eleanor in a new light
Disadvantages: Hard going at times with a rather dry style

...the dearth of material on Eleanor, especially from unbiased sources. Neither does it help that she never personally corresponded with anyone. Boyd cuts through the rumours and slander spread by Eleanor's enemies and presents her as a strong feminist who refused to be a victim. He tells the story of Eleanor's life using her image as a roadmap: from the sculpted face of her youth found in Bordeaux Cathedral to her effigy at Fontevraud. This adds an ...
...a linear fashion. I liked this device, especially as Boyd refers to the pictures he uses throughout the text, rather than lumping them together with no reference or explanation. From a literary point of view, it also allows the reader to imagine Eleanor more effectively and thus makes the story more enjoyable. Boyd wins brownie points for using maps of France to explain the various territories and who ruled them in the 12th century, and for including ... 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