Can you please recommend an interesting biography?

[WetAugust]

Preferably an autobiography.

I've recently read Andre Agassi -Open, Joanna Lumley's, Rupert Everett's, Duncan Bannantyne's and Alan Sugar's (which is the best and most candid I have ever read).

Am very open minded, so could be anybody's.

Thank you

I really enjoyed Sue Johnston's book - things I couldn't tell my mother I think it's called.

I really enjoyed Rupert Everett's Red Carpets And Other Banana Skins.

Bedsit Disco Queen by Tracey Thorn was the best autobio I've read for quite sometime.

years ago i bought Daniel day Lewis biography at an airport and really enjoyed it.

Stuart a life backwards is great film.

it is true story. the book would be good.

Clothes Clothes Clothes Music Music Music Boys Boys Boys by Viv Albertine.

For those who don't know - Viv was the guitarist in the punk band The Slits an all female band and very influential. I guess you have to have an interest in punk at least but even if only mildly curious.... Mick Jones of the Clash (they were an item at one point) comes across as a thoroughly nice chap and was very supportive of her when she decided to play guitar - "Yeah, I 've got a girlfriend who plays guitar!!". At times it is very sweet and funny but on occasion sad, too. She describes her romances, friendships with Sid Viscious and Johnny Rotten etc and tells of her time buying clothes from Sex (Vivienne Westwood's shop), ill health, marriage and motherhood. And of course the music!

Hitch-22 and the devastatingly beautiful Mortality, both by Christopher Hitchens.

When did you last see your father? Blake Morrison.

This Boy by Alan Johnson. Loved this fascinating childhood of politician Alan Johnson. I lived through this period and knew many places and events of the time. It is a true reflection of the times told with great humour and self deprecation. Politics not mentioned, just a memorial to the courage of brave women who sustained the young Alan and provided him with the building blocks to climb to a cabinet position in the
Labour Government. Don't be put off by the prospect of a political angle. This is a story of ordinary humanity.

Stephen Fry
David Niven

Pp has just reminded me I want to read Trumpers one.

184 Charing Cross Road or Maya Angelou's I know why the caged bird sings. The last one does chart a difficult childhood but it's not classed as one of the 'hard lives' autobiographies like Angela's ashes or child called it, probably because it was written before the wave of 'misery' autob's came out, it's so well written and it's just generally more inspiring.

Currently reading One Unknown by Gill Hicks, a survivor of the 7/7 tube bombings. It's an inspirational, touching read.

I'm not sure how I came to read it, but Terry Wogan's autobiography was pretty interesting.
Bob Geldof's was very good.

Hi there just read 'Coming up Trumps' by the 92 year old Baroness Trumpington, it's excellent , very enjoyable and easy to read, give it a try!

The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton (former teammate of Lance Armstrong) I don't think you need to be especially interested in cycling to read it - it's mostly about Lance and how he got away with bullying and cheating his way to the top - fascinating stuff.

I also liked Russell Brands booky wook - much better written than most 'celebrity' biographies but his attitude to women is appalling! It is still a real page turner though

Agree re Frank Skinner. I also enjoyed Michael J Fox's, and I recently read and loved Viv Albertine's - highly recommended.

I thought Dawn French's was okay.

Some Other a Rainbow - john McCartney about the time he was a hostage ( not a recent book)

Boris Becker autobiography - good read

Miranda - the book when she 'talks' to her 18 year old self

Rob Bryden's - amusing and I found it an interesting read.

My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding. Beautifully written and in parts so funny that I had to stop reading and try and control myself. I listened to the audio version - Clare narrates and is utterly brilliant.

A Scandalous Life - The Biography of Jane Digby by Mary S Lovell is a biography I read almost 14 years ago for the book group that I was with at the time and we all absolutely loved it. Jane Digby scandalised Victorian England with her unconventional behaviour and today she would be a feminist icon. I found this book un-put-downable. The ending is very poignant and sad. Here is the Amazon link

www.amazon.co.uk/Scandalous-Life-Biography-Jane-Digby/dp/1857024699/ref=sr_1_58?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410210267&sr=1-58&keywords=biography+books

Let me quote one review on Amazon:
"During her "Scandalous Life" Jane Digby was often written about in the popular press and remained a topic for tea time gossip for more than 50 years! Victorian England was fascinated by this unconventional woman who lived her life as she followed her heart and passions across Europe and the Middle East"

I can guarantee if you read this book you will be gripped.

I really liked Sir Roger Moore's autobiography:

'My Word is My Bond'

Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela

My Life, Bill Clinton (Have yet to read Hillary's. Must get that done!)

Not a biography but still a very lovely book and such fun - My Love Affair with Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor

Keith Richards about the Rolling Stones although I think it was ghost written.

Duncan Bannantyne's and Hilary. ?? From Dragons Den. Both really interesting.

arnold schwarzenegger was very interesting.
You do not need to be a fan of his films or his politics.
There is a lot about body building, which you also don't need to know anything about, it was very interesting.
And a lot about the difference in culture between growing up in Europe and living in US.

My DH recommends Chris Evans but I've not read it.