Biography Books > B Biography Books > M

Advantages: Difficult to determine
Disadvantages: Disturbing

Becoming Anna is an autobiographical account of a sixteen year old girl, born as Tiffany Blake in America’s Midwest. Tiffany’s Father physically abused her or showed her no love whatsoever, while her Mother and Grandmother who lived next doorwere emotionally cruel to her, and blamed her for all the family problems including her mother’s own illnesses and diabetes which had started after her younger brother was born. Her mother and grandmother labelled ...
...kids tried to cope by becoming friends with each other and becoming involved as girlfriends/boyfriends although they could not even enjoy physical comfort with one another in friendship as touching other patients was “against the rules” as was passing notes to one another, although sometimes these things went on. Being committed to a mental institution when you are not ill is bad enough for any child to endure but Tiffany’s parents went one step ... Read review

Advantages: Hilarious insight to Rik Mayall's life as a comedy god!
Disadvantages: Can be a bit slow/boring in places - only for a serious Rik fan.

"Bigger than Hitler better than Christ" - couldn't have put it better myself!! First off I would like to say: "If you are not a serious Rik Mayall fan but have seen or enjoyed some of his work this may not be the book you were looking for or expecting!" Anyway read on and see if you might enjoy this book... Rik Mayall is very well known in comedy entertainment for The Young Ones, Filthy, Rich and Catflap, The New Statesman and Bottom. Rik mayall ...
...to some extents have annoyed a few people over the years, but personally, I love him (figure of speech). Throughout the book Rik's personality is thrown in your face, even from the start with rude remarks about you "the reader", work colleagues from over the years and of course the most noticeable remark is of himself - "The Rik Mayall". He adamantly believes that he is the best, and that he is solely to blame for the start of great British television. ... Read review

Advantages: Heartwarmingly honest
Disadvantages: None

Having just finished this book i have to tell you how superbly written it is. Paul McGrath and established sports journalist Vincent Hogan put together a great insight into McGraths emotionally charged life. All I remembered of McGrath from his footballing career was his Aston Villa heyday and subsequent clubs Derby and Sheffield United. This book offers a great side of McGrath that the press were kept away from including ; suicide attempts and his ...
...about his alcoholism and his tough upbringing in different orphanages in Dublin. He moved to Ireland aged 6weeks and placed into the orphanage; not that he was unwanted by his mother but he was born at the wrong place and wrong time and couldn't be looked after. The story of McGrath also tells of his struggle re-structure his life after he left the orphanage system. This led him to 'crash' as he put it, this meant that he could barely function. the ... Read review

Advantages: Great story with factual accounts
Disadvantages: None

This book is a compelling read. It's a very well documented story. In my opinion it is an excellent read. Some have critisised it's sensationalism but I think that it is a great blend of action and factual content. If any of these ex services books gave details of missions verbatum, their books would be very long and boring. I think that in general the reader appreciates that the author is telling us the 'best or most interesting bits' and using ...
...keep us gripped. This book does exactly that, I for one couldn't put it down and can rate it as one of the fastest books I have ever read. This book was the one that got me into this semi factual SAS type books and I've been hooked ever since. ... Read review

Advantages: An entertaining and informative biography
Disadvantages: Could be passed over by non Laurel and Hardy Fans

This excellent biography tells the story of Oliver Hardy , the larger half of the world famous duo.This is an affectionate tribute to an accomplished actor and a truly gentle man . He was christened " Babe" by an Italian barber early in his film career. Stan was the ideas person and Ollie always deferred to his greater innovative skill , although throughout their careers Ollie was more accomplished in front of the camera.However, Ollie's life was ...
...and felt uncomfortable when people who met him commented that they did not realise he was so big.He thought they meant fat , when people were suprised at his height when they met , he being over 6 feet. It was only in later years that Ollie found the true happiness which eluded him for most of his life.This is a superb book ,full of photographs from personal albums and behind the scenes shots. It was first published in 1989 and reprinted in 1990. ... Read review