My choice at book group tomorrow - I need non fiction recommendations

[lilibet]

We always pick a novel, so I thought that this month I would recommned some non fiction. We suggest three then the group picks one, so far thanks to Roisin I am suggesting Blue Eyed Son but need another couple. I thought of Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawkes.

anyone have any other suggestions - I don't fancy the 'I had a crap childhood' books, but would love other suggestions.

What about "It's not about the bike" by Lance Armstrong? I knew nothing about cycling but thoroughly enjoyed this book - pretty inspirational .

primo levi's books on his experience at auschwitz are amazing. if this is a man, and the truce are incredible books.
nto sure if it's really the type of thing you want though...

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I really enjoyed Elizabeth by David Starkey, was expecting it to be dull dull dull but couldn't put it down.

What about going solo by roald dahl?

My absolute fave book is 'Tracks' by Robyn Davidson. It is about her journey across 1700 miles of Australian Desert with a camel and Diggity her dog.
Desert Places by the same author is also a fantastic read. It is about her travels with nomads in Northern India.
reviews here Tracks
and here Desert Places

"Once in a house on fire" is brilliant - but it is a bit 'I had a crap childhood'.

I enjoyed Hillary Clinton's autobiography

What about a Bill Bryson one?

The books by Dave Pelsey 'Child called It'. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. Or a biography by soneone everyone likes eg Barbara Windsor

Tim Moore's book on the Tour de France is very funny and interesting - so much so that I have forgotten the title
A classic is "Something Wholesale: my adventures in the rag trade", by Eric Newby. His short-lived adult career in the fashion business his dad ran, and he grew up with. I love Eric Newby

Why the Marina??

To indicate how much I really love his writing. He is an ancient gnarly old married man, flashingnose, but what an original and funny mind.

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson is still the best non-fiction thing I have ever read, but it might just be my personal taste (I read a lot of mountaineering books).

A biography of Jane Austen by Claire Tomalin.

OK - I wondered whether he was your Dad and everyone knew except me!

I wish, but in certain respects (bitten by travel bug after horrendous WW2 experiences, wearer of wide shorts and a year-round suntan) he is very like my dad!

"Bad Blood" by Lorna Sage is very good.

Starlover, I was looking at Anthony Sher's book about his one man show on Primo Levy this weeknd, Are they heavy going?

not at all lilibet, I can't really describe it. It is honest and truthful without being very dark and depressing.
It is more of an account of how he survived auschwitz than how awful it was in there IFSWIM.
Of course, it IS awful, and it IS dark, but his way of writing makes it very easy to read

What about 'An Italian Education' by Tim Parks. It is really funny to read how the english view life in Italy and so so true!

I'd also vote for Touching the Void. I stayed awake until 3 in the morning reading it, couldn't put it down. It's not the sort of book I would usually read but it is absolutely gripping.

Also Wild Swans if you haven't already read it (bit long though). Or Longtitude (can't remember who that's by).

eats, shoots & leaves by lynn truss if you fancy being grammar curmudgeons..

I think you mean Lynne Truss there bundle

doh! the trubble is merina, you don't have to spell wright on the raydio...

Anything by William Dalrymple, the travel/history writer. Or there's The Virago Book of Women Travellers.