Biographies that you've enjoyed

I have just finished reading John Bercow’s autobiography. It is interesting because it describes how parliament works and the responsibilities of the Speaker. He is quite honest about his loyalties to the Conservatives so I am not surprised that he has now joined the Labour Party.

Lexisgranny

Sorry started to speak about Dame Stephanie and then got interrupted ( must have words with him). She was an amazing lady who was educated in my neck of the woods, definitely second that NotaGran.

My mum went to the same school as Dame Stephanie, in the same year. OGHS. They were born in the same year.

Lexisgranny
Thanks for the reminder about Diana Barnato Walker. I read her book after meeting her at a vintage car rally, a most remarkable woman as were all the others in the ATA.

Wait for me by Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire. The story of an incredible woman whose life took her from Mitford sister to Duchess of Devonshire. Not just her tale, but a tale of the 20th Century.

Also second previous recommendations for Lady In Waiting by Anne Glennconner.

A diary rather than an autobiography but I also really recommend the very funny series of books by Shaun Bythell....a very likeable but curmudgeonly book shop owner.

Must have been.

I've just finished Regions of the Heart about Alison Hargreaves, the girl who died on K2. She had two young children. No matter what you may think of her actions this is very moving at the end. I thought it mist have been hard for them to read this book as her marriage was

Currently listening to Captain Tom’s autobiography “Tomorrow Will be a Good Day”. Loving it.

Henry VIII and his Court, Alison Weir. A doorstop of a book but interesting and full of detail.

I love Rupert Everett’s autobiographies and Nicky Haslam.

Borrheid55

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 am listening to Barbara Windsor's autobiography and she was a good friend to Kenneth. When she married Ronnie Knight he tagged along to Madeira and took his sister and mother as well . They were all miserable as it rained all the time they were there . At his funeral Barbara was amazed to meet up with other show biz people she did not know were also his friends . He never mixed his friends and would leave a restaurant if he was with one friend and he spotted another. He could be rreally horrible to people as well .

I enjoyed the first biography by Paul O`Grady, but keep forgetting to get the second one. He`s a lovely fella.

I don't read many biographies/autobiographies and I'm not especially politically aware but I thoroughly enjoyed Ken Livingston's autobiography, "You Can't Say That".
It's a real trip down the Memory Lane of (mostly) London politics of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

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

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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??

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

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