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

Advantages: Entertaining and interesting read
Disadvantages: Could have been longer

...John recently published his autobiography Anything Goes, chronicling his first forty years. His sister, Carole E. Barrowman helped him write it and between the two of them, the tone is perfect and you can easily hear John's voice coming through the text. The hardback version has a cover price of £18.99, but you can buy it for about half that if you look online. I got mine from Amazon UK for £9.49. It is around 250 pages, split into nineteen chapters. ...
...the end of the book. Anything Goes never becomes dull and each chapter has something interesting and shows the reader more about John's life, career, family and friends. He comes across just as he seems on television appearances - warm, friendly, caring, energetic, and full of life, frank, cheeky, confident and endearing. He isn't afraid of writing it how it is and is happy to laugh at his own actions. Although a couple of incidents he recalls did ... 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: How & why they do it & the reminder that *WE* still need to think
Disadvantages: That it is still necessary

...The clearest example: the Falklands War 1982 - it took a week for the pictures to get to screen. The World Trade Centre 2001 was live, literally, as it happened. This gives the manipulators virtually no time to 'spin' the story. There may still be conspiracies in newly-non-smoky corridors, but the ability to implement them is foundering on speed and public savvy. The audience is a lot more street-wise to what it hears, a lot less trusting. But mostly, ...
...morale in a time of war and the like, were slanders and libels he felt he had to challenge to protect is own integrity - but ultimately also that of the BBC who were employing him. It is to their shame that they did not publicly support him. For the usual economic reasons this particular story was not played out before the bench…but it could have been. Unlike many of his colleagues, Bowen trusts his own judgement and stands by his reports to the ... Read review

Advantages: A gripping story of determination
Disadvantages: I can't think of one!

This is not the sort of book i would normally choose to read but a friend insisted i should give it a whirl, being open minded i did and boy am i glad i did! This truly inspirational story of a child that defied all the odds and made good. It sounds like sentimental clap trap i know... that's what i thought but it's anything but. Constance Briscoe is bought up in a large family where she is humilated, beliitled, shamed and abused by her Mother and ...
...and just when she feels she has no purpose in life a Barrister visits her school and inspires Constance of what she could achieve. With no support from her family, left home alone to fend for herself at just 13 years old. Constance driven by her ambition proves to the world exactley what she is capable of. This is a true story. It isn't for the faint hearted, there are chapters that are harrowing and extremely graphic. It will leave you with nothing ... 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