Biographies that you've enjoyed

The Unequalled Self (Samuel Pepys) Claire Tomlin
Ungrateful Daughters - (Queen Anne and Queen Mary daughters of James II) Maureen Waller
Victoria - A N Wilson
Lady's Maid - Lady Ann Glenconner
Daphne Du Maurier - Margaret Forster
Educated (a memoir) Tara Westover

Soroptimum Yes unfortunately I missed that too, if you are referring to the one in Ellesmere where she spoke about Eglantine Jebb and her sister who founded the Save The Children charity.

Also loved Houseful of Daughters by Juliet Nicholson, granddaughter of Vita Sackville West. She provides a detailed account of seven generations of women starting with an umpteen great grandmother a Spanish flamenco dancer way back in the 19th century born into poverty, but somehow or other ends up marrying into the Sackville West family. All the women that follow are very interesting particularly of course Vita.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. A disturbing memoir of her childhood.

Alan Johnson’s books are great, and Don Black (songwriter) The Sanest Guy in the Room.

Roy Jenkins’ epic biography of Winston Churchill.

'First Light' by Geoffrey Wellum; a very young fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain and later in WW2. Originally crafted from his schoolboy-type diary entries for his grandchildren, it's a mesmerising read.

I loved Being David Archer by Timothy Bentinck, but then I am a huge Archers fan. It was both funny and gave an insight into the making of the programme.

Diplomatic Baggage: The Adventures of a Trailing Spouse
by Brigid Keenan
Wife of a Diplomat, very funny read.

The Mountbattens - Their Lives and Loves.

An excellent biography - couldn't put it down!

I have just been lent Clementine, a biography of Churchill's wife by her daughter, Mary Soames. It is huge, but so well written that it is absorbing reading and I can't put it down.

Also Becoming by Michelle Obama, which is really interesting too. What a strong woman.

I second Becoming. I listened to the audiobook which is read by Michelle Obama.

Several years ago I read Kenneth Williams diaries. I hadn’t ever been a fan of his but was interested as he was quite a raconteur on Parkinson’s show back in the day. What a book! Lots of gossip about his Carry On friends, his mother and his life. He was so different behind the scene and very sad. It’s book that has stayed in my mind.

I was fascinated listening to Pamela Hicks talk about her life as a close friend of the Queen, on the TV the other day. You felt she had been able to watch History from the sidelines. So interesting to be in that position. Would love to read a biography on her. Is there one??

Daughter of Empire: Life as a Mountbatten – 7 Nov. 2013
by Lady Pamela Hicks (Author

don't know if there's a later edition.

Thank you for reviving this thread Rosiebee - I'd forgotten I'd started it, and there are some fabulous recommendations on here
Thanks lemsip - I just looked on Amazon and there is a newer version, bought out to coincide with the film The Viceroy's Daughter, which was based on Hicks' book
There is also an audible version

Nell
I also enjoyed ‘The Five’ I learned a lot about that era, particularly, how hard it was to survive as a woman alone.
More recently I really enjoyed‘The Duchess’
by Penny Junor, an interesting book about Camilla, I was already a fan, but after reading this, I felt I could happily sit down in her kitchen for a cup of tea and a chat.

I loved the autobiographies x3 by Craig Revel Horwood and I have just finished a novel he has written. I enjoyed every book and could not put them down. He had a hard life and worked like a trojan to get where he is today.

I am currently reading a biography of Catherine the Great by Henri Troyat. I have read several other of her biographies but not this one. It is very good, fairly detailed and is written from an interesting perspective. I like this writer very much and have read others of his books in the same vein. I don’t always agree with his point if view, but that is the fascination of biographical writing-the conclusions drawn by the authors can vary so much, in particular when dealing with historical figures.

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar- This biography of esteemed mathematician John Nash was both a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize and the basis for the award-winning film of the same name.

I enjoyed Lady In Waiting by Anne Glennconner. It's a biography of Princess Margaret.

Lexisgranny
.
I have ordered. the book “Spreading my wings” on your recommendation, sounds a good read.

muse

Autobiography: Bring on the Empty Horses (David Niven)

I was only thinking of that book the other day. At round about the same time I used to read Dirk Bogardes biographies. I think there was a programme on tv recently that mentioned Dirk Bogarde and that’s what made me think of both books.

I'm not very keen on biographies but I have read both Alan Johnson's books and am currently reading Lorraine Kelly's.