Best autobiographies youve read

[Shane Hird]

Malcolm Blight
Agassi
Slash
Ozzy
Micheal Caine
Roy Keane
The Wolf of Wall St
Oliver Stone

 

[Gough]

The Bell Jar is similar, lots of caricatures and narrative embellishments and flourishes but predominantly autobiographical.

I've always thought the Bell Jar is like Catcher in the Rye for chicks.

 

[Macca19]

Marilyn Manson

 

[HeavyPop]

I've always thought the Bell Jar is like Catcher in the Rye for chicks.

Bell Jar is feminist literature. I didn't really pick up on it until I'd finished the book and thought back about it. Both comment on society, but I think CITR focuses more on society in post war times, while Bell Jar is about the opression of women.

Both are probably autobiographical.

 

[RolandF1]

I quite enjoyed Hollywood Animal by screenwriter Joe Eszterhas. Back in the day he was the highest paid screenwriter along with Shane Black in an era when they paid quite a bit of doe for original screenplays, Flashdance, Jagged Edge, Jade, Basic Instincts, Showgirls, etc. He was getting lots of cash from writing scripts even early on yet it wasn't until his 3rd or 4th screenplay they decided to make a movie! A lot of his scripts went unproduced. Self-serving, probably a lot of bullshit, but very entertaining.

 

[Commissioner Gordon]

Malcolm Blight
Agassi
Slash
Ozzy
Micheal Caine
Roy Keane
The Wolf of Wall St
Oliver Stone

What is the Michael Caine Autobiography like? have always been a big fan.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Yes I Can, by Sammy Davis Junior. First published in the 60s, it is a non-political view of what it was to grow up black during the 40s and 50s. It is, sadly, probably now out of print.

It deserves to be read for this joke alone. Sammy is playing a game of golf with his mates from the 'rat pack' - Joey Bishop, Frank Sinatra, Peter Crawford, et al. It comes to pass that Sammy has the first hit on the first tee. As he addresses the ball, one of his playing partners says to Sammy, "Hang on Sammy, what's your handicap?"

Sammy replies, "Are you trying to tell me that a black, one-eyed, Jewish Catholic needs a handicap?" (Sammy had converted from Catholicism to Judaism).

"You know what that book should be called? Yes I Can, If Frank Sinatra Says It's OK. 'Cos Frank calls the shots for all of those guys you know."

 

[Illinois Nazi]

For music types, Mark Seymour's 13 Tonne Theory. Brutally honest, both about himself and the other people involved.

 

[Gough]

For music types, Mark Seymour's 13 Tonne Theory. Brutally honest, both about himself and the other people involved.

I've often pondered getting that book. On your recommendation I shall. Cheers.

 

[Gough]

"You know what that book should be called? Yes I Can, If Frank Sinatra Says It's OK. 'Cos Frank calls the shots for all of those guys you know."

Peter Lawford's autobiography was good. Rat Pack + Kennedys.

 

[Shane Hird]

What is the Michael Caine Autobiography like? have always been a big fan.

What's It All About...a really great read. Not one hint of self importance (but he does like mentioning all the stars he hung out with) and it's fascinating to read his story of how he become a movie star from the background he come from.

Great bloke. Down to earth and a good writer.

 

[checkraiseulite]

not a huge biography fan, but this was very interesting.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I've often pondered getting that book. On your recommendation I shall. Cheers.

Hopefully you will be as lucky as me and find it in the $5 bin.

Another great music related book is My Bass and Other Animals by Guy Pratt. He was bass player for Icehouse for a while but has also worked extensively with a lot of big names including Pink Floyd, Madonnas, Roxy Music, Michael Jackson and many others. The book is basically an autobiography told through a series of anecdotes about all the different people he has worked with, and is hilarious. Not the book for you if you want dirt, but very honest and very funny.