Biographies that you've enjoyed

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

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 .

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.

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

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

Must have been.

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.

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.

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.

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.

lovebeigecardigans1955

I enjoyed The Adventures of the Crumpsall Kid by Mike Harding - witty, funny and some sad stuff.

Reckless by Chrissie Hynd.

These are more modern autobiographies but worth a read.

I didn’t realise Mike Harding had written so many books. I looked them up to find the one book of his that I’d read and loved ( it mentioned something about Moses and constipation). And I saw a programme about Christie Hynd and really warmed to her.

"Below Stairs" by Margaret Powell. Circa 1921 aged 14 she was sent out into "service" as a kitchen maid. A real-life "Downton".

Soroptimum

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.

Here she is on Ted Talks

www.ted.com/talks/dame_stephanie_shirley_why_do_ambitious_women_have_flat_heads

Apart from Florence Nightingale,whose biography I read years ago,
Simone Veil, a french politician and fighter for women's rights .
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Veil
She died not long ago.

Lexisgranny

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.

Yes, that’s the one! She is coming to Oswestry in August to unveil a Blue Plaque in her honour. (Sorry to hijack the post OP)

No worries Soroptimum!
I love it when a thread meanders.
In fact, I’d forgotten that I’d started this thread, it’s been a pleasure to read the more recent replies.
Thank you all for your recommendations

Another vote here for Alan Johnson. I’m just “reading” This Boy as an audiobook from the library. It’s very good and a big plus is that he’s the narrator. It can be off putting if the voice isn’t right for the book.

Maggie I quite agree, in fact I think that the voice is more important than the book.
It certainly affects my purchasing choices more

Born to Run, Bruce Sprinspgsteen is the best audible book I’ve listened to so far. I wasn’t a Bruce Springsteen fan until I found his book. It’s been a wonderful surprise.

Bruce reads it and his voice is magical. His writing is beautiful and I really don’t want it to finish.

I really enjoyed "A Woman of No Importance" by Sonia Purcell. It's the story of Virginia Hall who worked as a spy in WW2 and later for the CIA. It's fascinating and moving. She did so much but no one has heard of her.

muse

Autobiography: Bring on the Empty Horses (David Niven)

Totally agree with you, I fell madly in love with David Niven after reading this a few years ago, he seems to have been such a lovely man and is never nasty about anyone. The follow up , "The Moon's a Balloon" is also good.

Thans Trisher, I've just ordered A Woman of No Importance on kindle.

Enjoy Framilode not my usual sort of read but I loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Faithfull: an autobiography”, written by Marianne Faithfull in collaboration with David Dalton.