Biography Books > M Biography Books > Paperback

Advantages: Eye opening, insightful
Disadvantages: It's all true

...a way they were, however, Marching Powder stood out by having a remarkably surreal aspect to the tale. THE STORY "Marching Powder" (slang name for Cocaine) tells the story of Thomas McFadden's experience as an inmate in a Bolivian prison. McFadden is a young, black Englishman who prior to his sentencing lived in Liverpool. Thomas MacFadden was arrested in 1996 for drug trafficking. Although he had never tried Cocaine, he discovered there was a ...
...After many successful runs MacFadden travelled to Bolivia and attempted to smuggle 850 grams of Cocaine through customs. Having acquired many contacts in high places, he was pretty confident that it was going to be a smooth run having already given a Bolivian official a backhander to turn his eye. However, he was soon to discover he had been "set up" and found himself sent to a notorious Bolivian prison in La Puz; San Pedro. You would be forgiven ... Read review

Advantages: Humour, great story
Disadvantages: Sad ending

...The dogs name is Marley & the book takes the reader through the strains of teaching the new puppy all the important things a 'grown up' dog needs to know in life. The problem is Marley like most dogs prefers to think he is above all that & that humans need to be trained to suit his way of life, but they get there in the end despite his stubbornness. The book is American & although American humour doesn't always translate too well by the time it ...
...You soon get to know Marley pretty well, his love of life & all his idiosyncrasies; you also get to know the Grogan family who give an insight into their daily life too as Marley is growing up. It's full of ups & downs, including an unexpected miscarriage, this stupid dog as Marley is referred to, becomes a loyal companion when Jenny Grogan is recuperating. Later in life the family even have Marley acting for a local film crew, they always say never ... Read review

Advantages: In English, Very Interesting
Disadvantages: A lot of hard work to read!

Mein Kampf - My Struggle, written by Adolf Hitler. I am lucky enough to own a first edition (in German obviously) and the english translation version by Jaico Publishing. Mein Kampf was first published in two volumes in 1925-1926 and sold between 8 and 9 million copies during Hitlers lifetime, as well as being widely translated. The contents are most evil, and being quite a chunky read, it takes some time to work through it, least of all because ...
...In Mein Kampf, Hitler uses the main thesis of "The Jewish peril", which speaks of an alleged Jewish conspiracy to gain world leadership. The narrative describes the process by which he became increasingly anti-Semitic and militaristic, especially during his years in Vienna, Austria. Yet the deeper origins of his anti-semitism remain a mystery. He speaks of not having met a Jew until he arrived in Vienna, and that at first his attitude was liberal ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, fun and easy to read
Disadvantages: I want her life

I bought this book on a spur of the moment shopping trip, basically because I was interested to see how Coleen went from being a schoolgirl to a WAG in such a short space of time. I was amazed to read her story and see how down to earth she really was, even after being catapulted at amazing speed into the limelight. She was even thoughtful enough to come back to her book and update it with her wedding plans for the release of the paperback edition. ...
...quick life update, within which she includes girly pages with tips on make-up, fashion, nights out and quizzes, making it so much more like a diary. It is really easy to read and highly enjoyable to learn how down to earth she is and how she enjoys nothing more than snuggling on her sofa watching the soaps just like the rest of us. ... Read review

Advantages: Shows a reverse perspective.
Disadvantages: Heartbreaking at times.

...six, makes this sometimes a little difficult to read and comprehend. ( I have a six year old daughter and the idea of her seeing the atrocities that the author did is heartbreaking to me). Amongst all the fear, desperation, hunger and complete and utter exhaustion is the story of the true hero's of this book……. The people. The true humanitarian feeling you get throughout the entire book is astounding, the people who have nothing and nowhere to ...
...a stranger, the people who fear for their homes due to the "invasion" of the English and like, who at a moments notice, will have someone "billeted" to them, ( this is what they called the refugees, after they were allocated a bed or home in the village they happen to come across) and show the refugees unforgettable kindness by providing a warm bed for the night and a delicious meal to boot. This book is full of sadness, and the stories of the complete ... Read review