2007-11-21 00:45:34 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Hi there.
The best half-dozen I have read are:-
The Moon is a Balloon, by David Niven.
JRR Tolkein, by Humphrey Carpenter.
Wild Swans, by Jung Chang.
Schindlers Ark, by Thomas Kenneally.
Confessions of a B-Movie Actor, by Bruce Campbell.
Longitude, by Dava Sobel.
There are far too many non-entities writing these things, so there is a ot of dross to avoid. I always try to go for someone who actually had a life. I heard on radio 4 this morning that Hayley Westenra has done an autobiog, now that she has reached the ripe old age of 20. She was on the same program as Miriam Karlin, who has just produced an autobiog based on her 63 years as an actress and political activist, yet somehow failed to see any irony in this. Ah youth.
Enjoy, Steve.
2007-11-21 01:04:35 · answer #1 · answered by Steve J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Peter Jackson, a Film-Maker's Journey by Brian Sibley
England's Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton by Kate Williams
Leonardo da Vinci - Flights of the Mind by Charles Nicholl
These have been the best of the ones I've read recently, and I enjoy a lot of biographies/autobiographies. I was most impressed by the Emma Hamilton one - I've always pictured her as being very shallow - but she comes across as loyal, loving, and a truly genuine person, who's only "crime" was to fall in love with a hero. A fantastic read.
2007-11-22 08:02:01 · answer #2 · answered by cranston 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love "The Hiding Place". It's the biography/memoir of this gal who hid Jews for the dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of Holland. She was eventually betrayed, caught and taken to a concentration camp in Germany, but she survived and went on to provide a safe home after the war for both nazi survivors and nazi's. It's a great read! Very inspiring, with appropriate information for a 7th grader --compelling story, yet not too graphic.
2016-05-24 21:17:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The diaries of Tony Benn ( he is still writing) are a fascinating insight into British life from WW2 through to 2001 .
This vindicates the advice someone gave me years ago namely to understand today's politics, you must have a good grasp of what happened 25 or more years ago.
I do not necessarily go along with all his left-wing ideas but a really challenging read.
Keep up the stimulating work Tony.
2007-11-21 01:51:46 · answer #4 · answered by wirralman1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Haven't read many but just finished reading the biography of C Jung the psychologist, 'Memories, dreams and reflections', what an interesting life he led.
2007-11-21 00:58:13 · answer #5 · answered by ivanosakin 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have only ever read one biography and that was on a British band called busted who split up two years ago,
2007-11-21 00:50:56 · answer #6 · answered by wee suzie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Michael Palin's "Diaries 1969-1979". Not only is Michael Palin a really funny guy, he's a great writer with an interesting life, making a great autbiography!
2007-11-21 10:57:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ava Gardner: Love is Nothing by Lee Server was just so well researched, informative, and overall, just amazing.
Also reading Greta Garbo's biography by Barry Paris which is also proving to be nearly as good, and perhaps even better.
Good question, thanks :)
2007-11-21 08:33:09 · answer #8 · answered by Curiousity killed the cat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'Niv' - a biography of David Niven the actor. Can't remember who wrote it but it was a great insight into the heyday of Hollywood, and a very moving account of his life, which seemed so perfect but in fact was often very sad.
2007-11-21 00:55:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mr Nice, Howard Marks. Couldn't put it down. I'm really looking for the Andrew Norton one on Tom Cruise as well though - a few skeletons in the closet there I think :-)
2007-11-21 01:00:47 · answer #10 · answered by toothache 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋