Biography books

HJW

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah is a haunting memoir - its really compelling reading of survival from rejection. Its really inspiring.

Sport

HEY JATZ,SPEAKING OF BIOGRAPHIES,RECENTLY READ A BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE MADELINE CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT GROWING UP IN AUSTRIA,LIVING IN A HOTEL.ALL ABOUT THE UPS AND DOWNS OF WORKING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY,AND HOW HE ROSE UP FROM BEING DOWN THE FOOD CHAIN AS A LOWLY BUSBOY,TO RUNNING THE HOTEL SPENDIDE.
A VERY GOOD INTRODUCTION AS TO THE WORKINGS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.HAPPY READING! THE AUTHOR'S NAME IS LUDWIG BEMELMANS.AN EXCELLENT READ.

Sport

RECENTLY READ WILD SWANS,AWESOME BOOK ALL ABOUT THE CHINESE RED GUARD,AND LIVING UNDER THE THUMB OF MAO.VERY INTERESTING BOOK.ENGROSSING READ,KEPT ME UP ALL NIGHT.

Mandymoo

I love anything written by Peter FitzSimmons. He has one about Nancy Wake, an amazing Australian lady from WWII.

Colliedog

Yes,Fly For Your life.R.R.Stanford Tuck WW2 fighter ace.An excellent read.

megz

I'm not sure if you would classify it as a biography exactly, but First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung is the true story of Loung Ung and how she survived the Pol Pot era in Cambodia. I had to read it in year 12 for school, and when I feel like my life couldn't get any worse, I pull it out and it helps me put my life back into focus. She writes about it from when it started when she was 5 years old, and it's not her memories of the time and her adult interpretation of it all, it's how it happened, and how she understood it as a 5 yr old onward. Its very moving, and like I said, helps me get my life troubles in focus.

Opa

I have recently read both Eric Clapton's Biography & Keith Richards' 'Life',but wouldn't really feel like recommending either.Keef's is a bit more entertaining,but extremely coarse of language & the relentless accounts of his drug taking became somewhat tedious to me.'God's bio is more or less just a chronicle of events & people he met,but does'nt really provide many insights.I was a bit disappointed as I am quite a fan of both their musicianship,but they didn't endear themselves to me as human beings.

Anonymous

have read "tell me im here" by ann deveson aabout her late son and their life together. very sad and a great eye opener

suzieq

Have read the first book that Billy Connelly's wife Pamela Stevenson wrote about him and found that to be a great read. Haven't got to read the second one yet, but am hoping it will be just as good...

Jewels

Have you read biographies by individual indigenous Australians e.g Ruby Langford, Sally Morgan many others? Because of our shameful history much is sad but also the strength and overcoming hardship is inspiring

wilhamina

Have recently read Malcolm Fraser's biography, also portions of John Howard's.Am currently reading Carrie Fisher and Chanel. I laughed with Carrie, am enjoying the book on Chanel, and changed my opinion of Malcolm Fraser. I am now an admirer of his. There are a number of others I wish to read before the year is out.

savagegardengirl

'Making A Miracle' by Hunter Tylo (The Bold & The Beautiful) & 'All The Days Of My Life (So Far) by Alison Sweeney (Days Of Our Lives) - good reads for those who know these two girls from the daytime soaps.

neety

Just finished 'Guantanamo' by David Hicks. Probably more of an autobiography, but an interesting read nonetheless.

carton

I had a read of Dalai Lama's own biography. Very interesting stories. Enjoyed a lot./

penguin73

walk the line,it was a great read,kept me busy for hours

wen

I just read "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham. Great. I love bios too, they really capture the moments of peoples interesting lives. I always learn things I never knew.

Flick

I have just finished reading "Dinner with Mugabe", about Robert Mugabe. The author delves into the man behind the "monster", and tries to establish why his leadership style changed from saviour to dictator.

charming

Just finished reading'Tweak" by Nic Sheff & he definately opens your mind .It's told with brutal honesty that I'm sure was just as harrowing for him to put it all down in black & white for all to see & pass comment.
I'd previously read 'Beauitful Boy' that was penned by his father David Sheff that allows you the view from both sides of the fence but I'd wish I'd read Tweak first but they either are brilliant.

HJW

Not quite a biog as such, but Choir of Hard Knocks has many mini biogs of the members of the choir. Very humbling/uplifting.

Lani6

I've read both of the Michael Palin Diaries - as a Monty Python fan I loved them, but I also loved learning more about Michael Palin, it was well worth the long read! (Both books are rather thick)

david

billy thorpe 2 books great reading.pity he died so young,was a great entertaineranother is one crowded hour,neil davis a photo journalist who died in a peaceful demonstration.after many years as a war journalist.good reading to you

Miz_Kaz

Mao's Last Dancer

Paulie

You should read Walley Lewis' autobiography. It gives you a greater understanding, of not only the man and what he's had to live with, all of his life. But also you will learn a lot about epilepsy. A great read!!!

Razorfish

Not really a biography kinda guy but Errol Flynn's biography is a cracker. If you ever get chance give it a try.

jatz50

Got 2 books for xmas. Never Say Die by Chris O'Brien (RPA's favourite surgeon on his life from doctor to patient). I loved watching him on RPA and found reading his story a great read. He was a character in his early days and there are times that I am laughing at his antics then crying at what he had to go through. Such a lovely man to of been taken away from the medical profession so soon.
The other book is Stars Over Shiralee by Sheryl McCorry (the Million-Acre Cattle Queen) I started reading this not knowing that she had a bestseller called Diamonds and Dust. Not that it matters, because the second one, follows her journey on building up out in the outback. It's a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I am just a surburbia female.

Twang

Again, not a biography, but Steve Waugh's (former Australian Cricket Captain) book is the best autobiography by a sportsperson I have ever read.

Twang

It is not technically a biography but it sort of is, but Peter Carey's The Kelly Gang is one of the best reads for me in the past 5 years, and I am a prolific reader.

Pez

The Michael Palin Diaries ( the Python Years) is a very hard Bio to get through, it is not so much of a Bio as it is a recount of personal experiences which happened at the same time that Monty Python was being founded. It does not shed much light on the founding of Monty Python but it does give great insight into Michale Palins true self.

Pez

I highly recommend Inside Little Britain. It is written from a close friend's point of view but is extremely in depth and gives you a lot of insight into the workings of the comedy duo.

elle

yes stalin biography very interesting.

sprinkles

Yesterday I bought the Here's The Story by Maureen McCormick. Haven't started it yet. Has anyone read the one written by Chris O'Brien - Never Say Die?

Hi Jatz, Maureen McCormick's book is wonderful, I hope you enjoy it.There's a very unputdownable book called "And I don't want to live this life" by Deborah Spungen.
She is the mother of Nancy Spungen, who was the girl friend of punk star Sid Vicious.
It's one of those books that you never stop thinking about.
I also read "Angelina The Unauthorised Biography" by Andrew Norton.It's entertaining .

blondie72

Kate Holden's In My Skin is a challenging biog to read

I read this just recently and then passed it onto my daughter who is 19. I think its a bio that should be read in late High School yr12 or so as it could be very discouraging for some students who may want to experiment with illegal substances and the sex trade. A blatantly honest account of the consequences of heroin addiction and prostitution.

HJW

Thirteen Tonne Theory by Mark Seymour (lead singer of Hunters and Collectors).

A great read to gain an insight into an Aussie rock band.

Recieved Ian Gawlers biog for Christmas. Its humbling & enlightening.

Timboli

Happy reading. Alan Alda (MASH) makes for a good read too

Thirteen Tonne Theory by Mark Seymour (lead singer of Hunters and Collectors).

A great read to gain an insight into an Aussie rock band.

HJW

Great, thanks, writing all those books down.

Happy reading. Alan Alda (MASH) makes for a good read too

jatz50

Also good read is The Two of Us by Shiela Han**** about her life with actor John Thaw - its sort of a biog

Great, thanks, writing all those books down.

HJW

peter costello very ionteresting bio

Also good read is The Two of Us by Shiela Han**** about her life with actor John Thaw - its sort of a biog

elle

Kate Holden's In My Skin is a challenging biog to read

peter costello very ionteresting bio

HJW

nop

Kate Holden's In My Skin is a challenging biog to read

elle

Yesterday I bought the Here's The Story by Maureen McCormick. Haven't started it yet. Has anyone read the one written by Chris O'Brien - Never Say Die?

nop

jatz50

yes stalin biography very interesting.

Yesterday I bought the Here's The Story by Maureen McCormick. Haven't started it yet. Has anyone read the one written by Chris O'Brien - Never Say Die?