Best Autobiography/biography?

[Jennykenny]

What's the best autobiography/biography you have read.
My two choices are David Niven's The Moon's a Balloon, (a bit old I know but an excellent read) and Alan Johnson's This Boy.

[Peter Pedant]

Gizm: amongst all the Cowells - havent you missed out

Simon Cowell - the Men in my life ?

[andy-hughes]

Frank Skinner's autobiography is not only one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, it is one of the best books, period.

I also enjoyed Russell Brand's My Booky-wook - without the distraction of his Dickensian panto villain delivery, his writing is sublime.

[Jennykenny]

Gizmonster, haven't come across that name but will investigate.
Can't stand Stephen Fry - just one big show-off and he obviously hates women. Not a nice man at all. Ditto Nigel Slater, very snippy!!!

[inksplotter]

I think Fry only hates women in the biblical sense. Were you talking about why there aren't women on QI?

[Ken4155]

I have read quite a few autobiographies, some good (Brian Clough, Bobby Charlton, A P McCoy), some bad (Eric Clapton, Chris Waddle) but the one which i couldn't put down was, "I Am Ozzy" by Ozzy Osbourne. Being a Black Sabbath nut, i may be a little biased, but some of it is hilarious. As you would expect from the 'Prince Of Darkness'.

[ChillDoubt]

Can't stand Stephen Fry - just one big show-off and he obviously hates women. Not a nice man at all.
-------------------------------
I'm afraid you're very wide of the mark there, being homosexual doesn't make him a woman-hater. One of his best friends is Emma Thompson, of whom he speaks very fondly and indeed highly.
To get the measure of the man, you need to read about him IMHO. He's just about the most open and honest celebrity I've ever read.

[Gizmonster]

@ Peter Pedant - the amount of times people ask me if I'm related to Simon, just because my surname is Cowell ... well, I couldn't even guess.

@ Jenny Kenny - you won't have heard of them, as they're not big time authors. The books were initially written for the family and friends .... but they have sold quite a lot more than was originally anticipated :)

[Peter Pedant]

Gizzie - you probably dont want relations with Simon - a relationship with his bank account would be very different matter.

Following the success of that title - what about

George Michael - who wrote Hard Times, vol 1 - Tea for two vol 2
and the expected Vol 3 of his auto - Lets get one thing straight between us.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah what about

Dorothy Parker's People's Reputations and Other trash ?

[jeffa]

Bob Geldof - "Is That It?"

[crisper]

I loved A street cat named Bob.. by James Bowen... Gloria Hunifords autobiography.. cant remember the title..sorry...and Billy Connollys...I could name loads I love 'em..lol

[ladybirder]

I Loved ALL Dirk Bogarde's SIX volumes of his autobiography; A Postillion Struck by Lightning, Snakes and Ladders, An Orderly Man, Backcloth, Great Meadow, and my favourite A Short Walk from Harrods.

[Tilly2]

I have read all of those LB. They are a pleasure to read.

[ladybirder]

He was such a beautiful writer Tilly wan't he. Much more talented as an actor than his early Doctor in the House films would have you believe but he became a much acclaimed writer and actor and Knight of the Realm. An interesting man who led an interesting life. His life in France sounded idyllic.

[inksplotter]

Apparently Niv's anecdotes in The Moon's a Balloon (and its follow-up Bring On The Empty Horses involved a great deal of invention and adaption of stories) Read Sheridan Morley's The Other Side of the Moon.

Although not biogs, the Charles Paris books have many showbiz anecdotes-for example the bloke so obsessed with Abraham Lincoln that he went to the audition dressed as him. Arriving at the theatre...he was shot...

[Canary42]

The Trail of the Fox, by David Irving.