Recommendations for honest autobiographies

Fiona Hill - There's nothing for you here
Don't usually read autobiographies or political memoirs, but this story of a woman from Bishop Auckland who became the White House's Russia expert is an absolutely fascinating read and an eye-opener for behind the scenes goings-on in the first Trump administration.
The title refers to the advice her father gave her about leaving home for a better future.

Alan Johnson autobiographies, I think there's 3 or 4, are fascinating.
Also Spike Milligans war diaries.

Rupert Everett has written a few books of his memoirs. They are fantastic fun. He is very aware of all his shortcomings and a great gossip

... oh, and Memoirs of an Unfit Mother by Anne Robinson is very interesting. It covers her rise to fame on Fleet Street, her alcoholism and recovery and her custody battle for her daughter.

Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins by Rupert Everett is really well written and very, very funny. It's not a complete autobiography, but a memoir about a long period in his life.

I've just re-read A Coward's Chronicles by Marti Caine (northern comedian and singer famous in the 70s - the woman who inspired the film Funny Cow). It's excellent, and tragic in parts.

The Moon's a Balloon was the first Autobiography I read (probably 50 years ago!) and I loved it. Thanks for the reminder as I'd read it again.

Gordon Ramsay's autobiography was a bit of an eye-opener.

I've also read one by Sandi Toksvig which was interesting, and if you might like one about Hollywood in the golden era, The Moon's a Balloon by David Niven would be a good choice.

Wes Streeting's is very good. I also loved Michael McIntyre's autobiography.

Again, not a celebrity, but if you enjoyed War Doctor, you will love The Lightless Sky. This is true autobiographical story of a boy who leaves Afghanistan and his journey to the UK.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightless-Sky-Refugee-Journey-Britain/dp/1782398449

My recent favourites have been:

Sandi Toksvig reading her own book Between the Stops: The View of My Life from the Top of the Number 12 Bus (on Audible)

Alison Steadman - Out of Character

Wes Streeting - One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up

Rory Stewart - Politics on the Edge (a political memoir more than autobiography)

David Baddiel - My Family: The Memoir

Dr Richard Shepherd - Unnatural Causes (his life as a forensic pathologist)

I couldn't finish Miriam Margolyes' autobiography - TMI about her sex life/boring

If I find there's an Audible version with the author reading the book themselves, I prefer to listen rather than read.

Bob Mortimer's !
The Audio book is great as he reads it.

Open by Andre Agassi was excellent, and I'm not really that interested in tennis. Neither, as it turns out, was Andre Agassi, which is why it was such a fascinating read.

I've read quite a few recently.

Really enjoyed James blunts, listened to it on audible read by him. Very tongue in cheek but he is clearly very sharp.

Joan Collins is fascinating.

Jennifer Saunders was just nice, either way nothing awful happening. Made a refreshing change.

I hate read Matthew perrys as it was SO self absorbed and whiny. Really changed my opinion of him

Not a celebrity, but 'War Doctor' all about the life of Dr David Nott who travels to war zones and natural disasters to help and performs the most amazing surgery in the worst conditions. It is a story of hope and a true hero. He tells a very moving story about having lunch with the Queen after returning from Syria.

I think it's probably impossible to tell, isn't it, if they are honest or not. Although maybe it doesn't necessarily matter if it is or not?

For example, at the time, a lot of people touted Andre Agassi's book as very candid at the time. I like Agassi. I enjoyed the book and found it interesting. However, I don't know, I just wasn't sure how honest it was.

I've come to the conclusion that you can read an autobiography and find it interesting to see what the author wants you to take from it. How they would like to be thought of. Reading autobiography and also biography of a person and comparing the two can be intriguing.

Even with a diary, despite being (presumably) written contemporaneously, who knows how it's been edited?

Brian Blessed's autobiography is wonderful. I listened to the man himself read it on audiobook, but had to pull the car over I was laughing so loudly.

Michael Caine's autobiography is very good, so too Peter Ustinov. Robert Graves' Goodbye to All That is a masterpiece. He is simply incapable of being boring. Every paragraph contains some fascinating little anecdote or observation. Stephen Fry's Moab is my Washpot will probably be remembered as the best thing he ever did. Parts of it are superb.

Bertrand Russell's autobigraphy is great as well. Sounds a bit heavy, but it really isn't. He's such a loveable human being, and every page is so warm and witty and wise.

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance - US VP elect

My DD did and was disappointed in it.

Long time gone by David Crosby holds nothing back if you're interested in music at all. And Julian copes head on

Viv Albertine's "Clothes Clothes Clothes Music Music Music Boys Boys Boys" and "To Throw Away Unopened" are fabulously raw, honest and compelling books even if you know nothing about her and the early Punk scene. Be warned, though, they're not an easy read.