Tell me your favourite autobiographies

[KenAdamsRealWife]

Please

And maybe why in a nutshell

Lauren Bacall, I was fascinated by her life after watching a biography on her.

David Niven. Exaggerated (he was famously a wonderful story teller) and it may be more appreciated if you are familiar with the older film stars? I need a re-read now

Child Star, Shirley Temple.

Just very interesting historically. Also it's at odds with a lot of stories told about her.

F

At My Mother’s Knee and Other Low Joints by Paul O’Grady, very, very funny and entertaining.
Claire Rayner’s autobiography is interesting, she was a incredible woman imo, and Good Morning Mr Mandela by Zelda La Grange is very good.
Notes From The Sofa by Raymond Briggs is great, and the books by Lillian Beckwith are very funny, she lived on a croft on an island in the Hebrides and her interactions with the people there are very funny, they are a comfort read for me.The first one is called The Hills Is Lonely.

My animals and other family - Claire balding I really enjoyed this she comes across as a really genuine person

Currently reading becoming by Michelle Obama. Such a strong beautiful woman. Empowering.

I know why the caged bird sings - Maya Angelou. A very inspirational person who writes with such honesty. I loved her very much and have read all of her books to point that I feel as though I knew her.

I just read The Choice by Edith Egar - She is a holocaust survivor and now a psychotherapist. Some of the wisdom she imparts in this book has changed my outlook on life and is having a positive effect.

Unnatural Causes by Dr Richard Shepard, a leading forensic pathologist was very very interesting. Also he reveals his vulnerability and is honest about the trials and tribulations of his career.

'Take it Like a Man', Boy George. I read it twice on the bounce, it was so good. Takes you behind the scenes of the early eighties music scene - a few surprises!

Frances Farmer - Will There Really Be A Morning.

Pretty heavy going.

Maya Angelou fan here too! Started reading "I know why..." In my late teens and worked my way through them and her poetry. Such a wise, fierce, strong, poetic, generous soul.

Debo Devonshire - even though she was born with a silver spoon, she still had challenges and faced them head on with a huge hard work ethic. A lot of her friends (and her husband’s brother) died in WWII.

Moab is my Washpot- Stephen Fry

Insightful and witty. Clever and great.

The Sound of Laughter- Peter Kay

Interesting and literally laugh out loud funny.

Angela’s Ashes- Frank McCourt

Compelling and clever.

Sorry that didn't really explain. Frances Farmer was a 1940s starlet that was destined for great things. She battled with the Hollywood system, a horrific mother, mental health, being put in an asylum, alcoholism. Not the glittering story of your typical Hollywood star but an eye opening read.

A.A Gill - Pour Me.

I can’t put my finger on why, but It’s the only book in recent years that I have highlighted passages from.

Clothes clothes clothes. Music music music. Boys boys boys by Viv Albertine is absolutely fab. Even if you’re not a fan of punk music.

Educated by Tara Westover is inspirational.

The Strangest Man by Graham Farmelo is a fascinating biography of Paul Dirac.

I also enjoyed Frank Skinner’s autobiography. Very funny.

I'm Not With The Band - Sylvia Patterson

autobiography of a music journalist in the 80s and 90s. Excellent read

Ozzy Osbourne
I genuinely laughed out loud, repeatedly, at his antics.

Adam Ant's is great too. He went through a lot.

And John Taylor (Duran Duran) if that's your era of music.

Becoming by Michelle Obama. It’s a fascinating read and she is a remarkable, highly accomplished woman in her own right, the book is so very human and a very absorbing read.

I don’t know what I’ll read once I’m done with this but I’ll be looking for another political autobiography I think.

I loved Open by Andre Agassi and Lucky Man by Michael J Fox. Both write with real warmth about overcoming adversity. My favourite of all time is Roots by Alex Haley which is a biography/ autobiography.

Is That It?
Bob Geldof, just so well written.
I've had my copy for about 30 yrs now, and told my teenage ds to give it a read.
He loved it.

How Not to be a Boy by Robert Webb. I just finished reading it. It’s been described as something that all parents of boys should read, and I totally agree. All about toxic masculinity and how endemic and damaging it is. It is also a hilarious read, and very well written.

Hons and Rebels is great, Jessica Mitford's autobiography, about her life after she left her aristocratic family and eloped/ran away to Spain.

Like a PP I love old actors, my favourite autobiog of that era is probably Basil Rathbone's In And Out Of Character - he had a really interesting early life, as well as his acting career. There are loads of anecdotes about his fellow actors, and apparently he and his wife used to throw these bonkers parties - incl once when they had real snow delivered for a Christmas party in their house (in LA)! Among other anecdotes.

Let IT Go by Stephanie Shirley
Just amazing. The author came to the UK as a refugee on the Kindertransport in the 2ndWW. She started an IT company employing women as freelance programmers around their family ties in the 1960s and was hugely successful despite the sexism of the era/industry - and whilst caring for her severely autistic child. She then gave away the greater part of the money that she'd made in business to help support other children & adults with autism. I'd recommend this book to anyone, completely inspirational.

Who thouggt this was a good idea - Alyssa Mastromonaco. About working in the white house with Obama. Really down to earth woman and hugely entertaining and thought provoking.

Wild Swans - history of modern China interwoven with the lives of 3 generations of women

Another vote for Michelle Obamas book too.

The Yorkshire Shepherdess - easy read and interesting tales of rural life and a big family

Do no harm - henry marsh. Brain surgeon. I liked his first book but not so much the second.

Georgiana - Duchess of Devonshire. Cant remember who it is by but its really interesting.

Andre Agassi. Brilliant and I echo the comments regarding David Niven