News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

This month we feature some biographies of people so well -known that they are almost household names. It would not be thought possible that there was more to be known about Captain Cook and Winston Churchill yet two writers have found interesting new aspects to their stories. And what would life be without a few rogues and renegades – an interesting study of the unconventional life of the wife of a former Archbishop of Canterbury and the autobiography our own Paul Henry provide a delicious counter-balance.

“Captain Cook : master of the seas / Frank McLynn.
“Numerous biographies of Capt. James Cook have been written, but this one takes a fascinating and refreshing new look at Cook’s life, personality, and nautical exploits. British historian McLynn (Napoleon) begins with Cook’s humble upbringing in Yorkshire, followed by his early career in the Royal Navy during the time of the Seven Years War. His rise from an ordinary seaman to an officer resulted largely from his outstanding navigational and cartographic skills. Cook is most famous for the three voyages of discovery that he led to the Pacific region during the late 1760s and 1770s, culminating in his untimely death at the hands of native Hawaiians in 1779. McLynn effectively probes Cook’s complex character, his ambition, and his leadership style while focusing also on his major achievements in oceanic navigation and his uncanny accuracy at mapping newly discovered lands.” (Syndetics summary)

Sister Queens : Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile / Julia Fox.
“The history books have cast Katherine of Aragon, the first queen of King Henry VIII of England, as the ultimate symbol of the Betrayed Woman, cruelly tossed aside in favor of her husband’s seductive mistress, Anne Boleyn. Katherine’s sister, Juana of Castile, wife of Philip of Burgundy and mother of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, is portrayed as “Juana the Mad,” whose erratic behavior included keeping her beloved late husband’s coffin beside her for years. But historian Julia Fox, whose previous work painted an unprecedented portrait of Jane Boleyn, Anne’s sister, offers deeper insight in this first dual biography of Katherine and Juana, the daughters of Spain’s Ferdinand and Isabella, whose family ties remained strong despite their separation. Looking through the lens of their Spanish origins, Fox reveals these queens as flesh-and-blood women-equipped with character, intelligence, and conviction-who are worthy historical figures in their own right” (Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

“The inner life of empires : an eighteenth-century history / Emma Rothschild.
“This remarkable book is both a moving evocation of an extended family’s intimate experience of empire and Enlightenment in the eighteenth century, and a powerful meditation on the work of historical writing in the post-Enlightenment, postimperial present. Profound and strikingly original, this book will become a classic.”–Robert Travers, Cornell University”This is an important and original book. Based on a wealth of archival research–much of which has been neglected by previous historians–”The Inner Life of Empires” looks at the Johnstone family to explore issues of British imperialism. It makes a critical intervention in the history of intimacy and interiority, and poses a series of challenges to concepts of the public and private. A wonderful read.”–Margot Finn, Warwick University” (Syndetics summary)

Churchill / Ashley Jackson.
“Winston Churchill attracted far more criticism alive than he has since his death. He was, according to Evelyn Waugh, always in the wrong, surrounded by crooks, a terrible father, a radio personality? Whatever one? view of ?he greatest Briton? and despite the best efforts of an army of writers who have penned portraits of him, Winston Churchill remains splendidly unreduced. He also remains enormous fun. In this new biography Ashley Jackson seeks to describe the contours of Winston Churchill? remarkable life and political career, whilst giving a sense of the man behind the dark eyes and bulldog features. From thrusting subaltern to political pup in a hurry, from Cabinet outcast to the greatest war leader ever, from electoral loser to elder statesman on the international stage in the years of Cold War and imperial decline, this is the eternally fascinating story of Winston Churchill’s appointment with destiny.” (Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

Autobiography of Mark Twain. Volume 1 / Harriet Elinor Smith, editor ; associate editors: Benjamin Griffin, Victor Fischer, Michael B. Frank, Sharon K. Goetz, Leslie Myrick.
“The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death. In celebration of this important milestone, Twain’s uncensored autobiography is available in its entirety and exactly as he left it.”(Syndetics summary)

As good as God, as clever as the devil : the impossible life of Mary Benson / Rodney Bolt.
“”As Good as God, As Clever as the Devil’ tells the extraordinary story of Mary Benson and her family, bringing the late Victorian and early Edwardian period vividly to life.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

The Alastair Campbell diaries. Volume 2, Power and the people, 1997-1999 / edited by Alastair Campbell and Bill Hagerty.
“The second volume of Campbell’s riveting diaries, rejoining New Labour as they come into power. Power and the People is the second of four volumes, and covers the first two years of New Labour government, beginning with their victory at the polls in 1997. Volume Two details the initial challenges faced by Labour as they come to power and settle into running the country. It covers many of the memorable events of the period: from the Omagh bombing to President Clinton’s ‘relations’ with Monica Lewinsky.” (Syndetics summary)

What was I thinking : a memoir / Paul Henry.
“From the man whose outrageous comments on TV divided the country, and almost caused an international incident, comes this very funny memoir. Packed with stories from his eventful childhood and his long and adventurous career in journalism, this is a gripping, often hilarious and always entertaining read. It gives a fascinating insight into the complex character of Paul Henry.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com).

“Louisa May Alcott : a personal biography / Susan Cheever.
“Susan Cheever’s comprehensive and definitive biography sheds new light on the life of Louisa May Alcott, whose work has inspired generations of women. Cheever laces this provocative biography with musings on the genesis of genius, and her identification with Jo March when she was a rebellious girl in the throes of puberty.”(Syndetics summary)

We have a little bit of everything this month -among them biographies of a celebrated British actor, a foreign girl in Iran, a daughter paying tribute to a father who gave her a lifelong love of reading, a woman living an exciting life in the Australian outback and an comprehensive study of the woman who first shaped Barack Obama – his mother. We hope there is something to take your fancy in this eclectic mix.

William & Catherine : their romance and royal wedding in photographs : including a brief photographic history of British royal weddings / created by David Elliot Cohen ; foreword by Robert Jobson.
“This book profiles the relationship, courtship, and royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and provides a brief history of previous royal weddings.”(Syndetics summary)

Farangi girl : a memoir of my mother, parties with princes and growing up in Iran / Ashley Dartnell.
“Born a farangi (foreign) girl in 1960s Tehran to an American beauty and a handsome English father, Ashley Dartnell’s life had all the ingredients of a fairy tale. This stunning memoir tells how it all went wrong: from servants and parties to betrayals and bankruptcy.”(Syndetics summary)

G. K. Chesterton : a biography / Ian Ker.” G. K. Chesterton is remembered as a brilliant creator of nonsense and satirical verse, author of the Father Brown stories and the innovative novel, The Man who was Thursday, and yet today he is not counted among the major English novelists and poets. However, this major new biography argues that Chesterton should be seen as the successor of the great Victorian prose writers, Carlyle, Arnold, Ruskin, and above all Newman.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com).

John Gielgud : matinee idol to movie star / Jonathan Croall.“John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Staris the most authoritative and comprehensive account of the finest classical actor of the twentieth century. This entertaining but critical biography charts the ups and downs of Gielgud’s long and glittering career, from his young ground-breaking Hamlet to his later success in plays by Pinter, Storey, Bond and Bennett, and his recognition as a major movie star following his role in Arthur. It also reassesses his complex relationship with his great rival Laurence Olivier and throws fresh light on his personal relationships and the turbulent episodes of his private life that threatened to shatter his career.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com).

A singular woman : the untold story of Barack Obama’s mother / Janny Scott.
“The mother of a path-breaking politician was a quiet revolutionary in her own right, according to this vibrant biography. Former New York Times reporter Scott paints Stanley Ann Dunham (1942-1995) as a study in unconventionality: a white woman who entered an inter-racial marriage at a time when they were illegal in many states; bore a son at 18; became an expatriate who thrived in the alien culture of Indonesia after her divorce from Obama’s father. In Indonesia, she remarried and bore a daughter but ultimately became a single mother who forged a significant career as an anthropologist and economic-development expert. Drawing on Dunham’s personal and professional writings and reminiscences by friends, colleagues, and the president and his half-sister, the author sensitively portrays a woman of both the warm sociability and charisma and a sharp, strong-willed and sometimes prickly intellect.” (Summary from globalbooksin print).

The night cleaner / Florence Aubenas ; translated by Andrew Brown.
“The idea was simple: pack a suitcase, go to another city where you have no connections and try to find a job, anonymously. That was the idea that took Florence Aubenas–one of France’s most accomplished undercover journalists–on a journey into the worst recession since the Great Depression. Day after day she searched for work, one unemployed worker among others, with no special skills or qualifications. She immersed herself in the crowd of job seekers, going from one employment office to another, eventually managing to cobble together a few hours working as a night cleaner on a ferry that crossed the English Channel. For many people the global financial crisis seems real enough but remote from their daily lives. They have little sense of what it really means to be unemployed in the midst of a recession. Florence Aubenas was determined to find out. This book is the story of her journey.”–From publisher description.

An outback life / Mary Groves.“All I could think of as my heart thumped in my chest and the rumble of 900 stampeding buffalo rocked my vehicle was, ‘Strewth! Am I in trouble now!’ In AN OUTBACK LIFE, Mary Groves describes the heart-breaking isolation, the hard work and the rises and falls in her family fortunes as they battle to survive in the Top End. Mary was just 14 when her family moved to the Northern Territory from Melbourne. In her early 20s, she met Joe Groves – a cattleman, horse breaker, drover and rodeo rider. Mary and Joe fell in love and raised four children while leading an exciting and challenging life on an array of cattle stations. During her 40 years in the outback, Mary faced death, disaster and disappointments with remarkable resilience and stoicism.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

The reading promise : 3,218 nights of reading with my father / Alice Ozma ; [foreword by Jim Brozina].“When Alice was nine years old, she and her father – a beloved school librarian – made a promise to read aloud together for 100 consecutive nights. Upon reaching their goal, they celebrated over pancakes, but it was clear that neither wanted to let go of what had become their reading ritual. They decided to continue what became known as The Streak for as long as they possibly could. From L. Frank Baum to Dickens to J.K. Rowling to Shakespeare, Alice’s father read to her every night without fail until the day she entered college, a remarkable eight years later. In this deeply affecting memoir, Alice tells the story of her relationship with the extraordinary man who raised her.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

This month a couple of unexpected items plus some classics and a bit of Broadway: from Richter to Pet Shop Boys

Naked Byrd. Two [sound recording].
“This splendid second volume in the Armonico Consort’s Naked Byrd series continues the punning tradition of a cappella versions of choral pieces by composers who, in the words of the Consort’s artistic director Christopher Monks, “wore their hearts on their sleeves”. Thus alongside the familiar repertoire of period religious works ranging from William Byrd to Hildegard of Bingen can be found more recent compositions by John Tavener and the Consort’s own Jonathan Roberts, both of whom contribute moving pieces based around texts by William Blake. But perhaps most moving of all is the “Agnes Dei” section of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, re-scored by the composer for eight-part harmonies. –The Independent” (Summary from Amazon.co.uk)

The Reich’s orchestra : the Berlin Philharmonic 1933-1945 / Misha Aster.
“There has never been a book written on the subject of the Berlin Philharmonic during the Third Reich, in any language. The historiography is scant, and strewn with rumours and misinformation. This book represents the first comprehensive study of the relationship between Hitler’s regime and its musical crown jewel. The Nazi regime’s patronage afforded the Berlin Philharmonic innumerable privileges unique among German cultural institutions.” (Summary from Globalbooksinprint.com)

The Italian intermezzo [sound recording] : music without words.
“Delivered here with sensitivity and freshness by the BBC Phil’ under Gianandrea Noseada,who approaches each item with relish and stylistic certainty that makes you sit up and listen.The playing,also, is the equivelent of what one might hear in a major opera house,and a good night too. Performance **** Recording **** –BBC Music Magazine,Mar’11″ (Summary from Amazon.co.uk)

Finishing the hat : the collected lyrics of Stephen Sondheim with attendant comments, principles, heresies, grudges, whines and anecdotes / Stephen Sondheim.
“The winner of seven Tonys, seven Grammys, an Oscar, and a Pulitzer Prize, Stephen Sondheim has become synonymous with the best in musical theatre. Now, in Finishing the Hat, he has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he’s giving readers a rare, personal look into his extraordinary shows and life.Along with the lyrics, both published and unpublished, for all of his productions from 1954 to 1981….” (Summary from Syndetics)

Sviatoslav Richter : pianist / Karl Aage Rasmussen ; translated by Russell Dees.
“Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) is widely recognized as one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. In this translation of the first full-scale biography of Richter, Danish composer Karl Aage Rasmussen combines his artistic appreciation of Richter’s career with a sympathetic telling of the pianist’s life based on family archives and interviews with people who worked and lived with him.” (Syndetics summary)

The most incredible thing [sound recording] / Pet Shop Boys.
“Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (AKA Pet Shop Boys) write the music for their first ever full-length ballet. The Most Incredible Thing is a collaboration with choreographer Javier De Frutos and Britain’s leading contemporary dance theatre, Sadler’s Wells. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson story of the same title.” (Summary from Syndetics)

I’ve chosen stories of movie and television stars this time -some glamour and glitz to cheer us through the early days of winter- and a heartwarming story of travel, food and friendship in sunny Italy, featuring Elizabeth Gilbert of “Eat pray love” fame.
Gravitas is added by the inclusion of a study of Noah Webster,the confidante of George Washington and publisher of the famous dictionary, who has been dubbed “the forgotten founding father of America.”

Un amico italiano : eat, pray, love in Rome / Luca Spaghetti ; translated by Antony Shugaar.
“”Luca Spaghetti is not only one of my favorite people in the world, but also a natural-born storyteller. . . . This [is a] marvelous book.” -Elizabeth Gilbert When Luca Spaghetti (yes, that’s really his name) was asked to show a writer named Elizabeth Gilbert around Rome, he had no idea how his life was about to change. She embraced his Roman ebullience, and Luca in turn became her guardian angel, determined that his city would help Liz out of her funk. Filled with colorful anecdotes about food, language, soccer, daily life in Rome, and Luca’s own fish-out-of-water moments as a visitor to the United States-and culminating with the episodes in Liz’s bestselling memoir, told from Luca’s side of the table-”Un Amico Italiano” is a book that no fan of “Eat, Pray, Love” will want to miss.” (Syndetics summary)

And God created Burton / Tom Rubython ; foreword by Roger Moore ; prologue by Robert Hardy.
“A sweeping family saga spanning 1898 to 1984, stretching from the mining fields of South Wales to the film sets of Hollywood and from the playhouses of Cardiff to the grand theatres of Broadway – this far-reaching biography examines every detail and every facet of the life of Britain’s greatest ever actor, Richard Burton.” (Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

Colin Firth : the biography / Alison Maloney.“From the moment Colin Firth took on the role of Mr Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, emerging from the lake in ‘that scene’, he was set on a path from sex symbol to national treasure and Hollywood star. This biography reveals his early life in Nigeria; the secrets of his escape to Canada with actress Meg Tilly, and more.”(Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

Michael Douglas : acting on instinct / [John Parker].“In the shadow of his father Kirk ’s overpowering fame, Michael Douglas forged a career for himself and became recognised in his own right as an award-winning actor and producer. But fame has taken its toll on Michael ’s personal life. His struggles with sexual addiction, his treatment for alcoholism and drug dependency and the break-up of his first marriage show another side to Michael ’s success.” (Summary from globalbooksinprint.com)

The forgotten founding father : Noah Webster’s obsession and the creation of an American culture / Joshua Kendall.
“American’s own “The Professor and the Madman”: a story of Noah Webster, author of American English. Noah Webster’s name is now synonymous with the dictionary he created, but his story is not nearly so ubiquitous. Webster hobnobbed with various Founding Fathers and was a young confidant of George Washington and Ben Franklin. He started America’s first daily newspaper, predating Alexander Hamilton’s “New York Post.” His “blue-backed speller” for schoolchildren sold millions of copies and influenced early copyright law. But perhaps most important, Webster was an ardent supporter of a unified, definitively American culture, distinct from the British, at a time when the United States of America were anything but unified-and his dictionary of American English is a testament to that.” (Syndetics summary)

From high heels to handcuffs / H. M. Goltz.
“What makes a girl throw away a six-figure salary and a marketing career to enter the Police Service? A mid-life crisis? Trying to escape a failing marriage? The search to reignite her passion for life? All of the above? From High Heels to Handcuffs is for anybody who has ever lost their footing in this world and wondered, “can I start again?”".(Summary from Library catalogue note )

Uncharted terriTORI / Tori Spelling with Hilary Liftin.
“UNCHARTED TERRITORI continues the proven, bestselling formula of her preceding memoirs STORI TELLING and MOMMYWOOD – letting readers share her unique and very public life/misadventures – complete with growing kids, daredevil husband Dean, a tight circle of friends, welcome and invasive cameras and an infamous mother – with humour and welcome candour. The anticipated new volume will offer fans the latest updates on her never-complacent life balancing parenthood with the pressures of living in Tinseltown, including reaction to the tabloid scrutiny of her weight, the truth behind the latest ‘feud’ making headlines, becoming a mini-mogul via her many business ventures and lines, the evolving relationship and health scare of Tori’s baby nurse/surrogate mother-figure Patsy, her marriage to Dean McDermott, a nostalgic visit to the new 90210, and possibly adding another Spelling-McDermott to the growing family.” (Summary from Amazon.co.uk)

If you ask me : (and of course you won’t) / Betty White.
“Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White’s wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood”–Publisher’s description.

Have a read below of our most recent biography books for the month of June 2011. Which one will you pick?

The Churchills : in love and war / Mary S. Lovell.
“Portrays the ambitious, brave, and arrogant English family that gave the world Winston Churchill, describing generations of ancestors who were reckless womanizers but also triumphant military leaders all saddled with the upkeep of the family palace, Blenheim” (Summary from Syndetics).

Behind Closed Doors : the tragic, untold story of the Duchess of Windsor / Hugo Vickers.“Hugo Vickers has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Royal Family, and has had a fascination with the story of the Duchess of Windsor since he was a young man. There have been a number of books about this doomed couple (and Channel 4 is very interested in doing a programme based on Hugo’s text), but this book brings a new perspective on the story by focussing on the later years of exile.” (Summary from Amazon.co.uk)

Katherine the queen : the remarkable life of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII / Linda Porter.
“The general perception of Katherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII, is that she was a provincial nobody with intellectual pretensions who became queen of England because the king needed a matronly consort to nurse him as his health declined. In the various studies of the six wives of Henry VIII she receives much less attention than Katherine of Aragon or Anne Boleyn. Her main achievement, in the famous rhyme about Henry’s six wives, is that she ’survived’. Yet the real Katherine Parr was attractive, passionate (she had a mighty temper when aroused) ambitious and highly intelligent.” (Summary provided by Amazon.co.uk)

Bird Cloud : a memoir / Annie Proulx.
“*Starred Review* As Proulx divulges in a rare venture into nonfiction, home is a loaded concept for her. While she was growing up in New England, not only did her family move constantly, her father also attempted to escape his French Canadian heritage, identifying instead with his wife’s colonial Anglo family. Proulx’s love of wilderness propelled her all across the country, until Wyoming became her passion and muse. She bought land there, drew up plans for her dream home, and chaos ensued. Writing with her signature precision, candor, and gift for archetypal drama, Proulx chronicles extreme construction debacles, epic snowstorms, and magnificent wildlife. She also offers glimpses into her writing life…–Seaman, Donna Copyright 2010 BooklistFrom Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)

The Shah / Abbas Milani.
“Over the course of almost 40 years, Mohammad Reza Shah was a colossus in Iran, the one constant in a swirl of changing loyalties, political fortunes, and pressures both domestic and international; by the end of his reign, virtually no state decision could be taken, save by him. But as this biography reveals, this accumulation of authority was more a function of the Shah’s lifelong distrust of all around him than it was any indication of skill in governing, or of genuine control. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved” (Publisher Weekly)

David Lloyd George : the great outsider / Roy Hattersley.“David Lloyd George was the authentic radical of British history who rose from his ‘cottage bred’ origins to become Prime Minister of Great Britain, acclaimed in 1918 as ‘the man who won the war’. His career was built on charm, courage and energy. His contempt for the conventions of society made him ‘The Great Outsider’ who exploited the establishment but never wished to join it. As a young Liberal MP, he made his name with vitriolic attacks on his opponents and established his reputation as a man who pioneered old age pensions, sickness pay and unemployment benefit. Once the war was won, his attempts to maintain the coalition that he had created and convert it into a new party failed. After sixteen years in the cabinet, six of them as Prime Minister he was out of office, destined to remain in the political wilderness.” (Summary by Amazon.co.uk)

The omnipotent magician : Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, 1716-1783 / Jane Brown.“Lancelot Brown changed the face of eighteenth-century England, designing country estates and mansions, moving hills and making flowing lakes and serpentine rivers, a magical world of green. This English landscape style spread across Europe and the world. At home, it proved so pleasing that Brown’s influence spread into the lowland landscape at large, and into landscape painting. He stands behind our vision, and fantasy, of rural England.” (Summary from Amazon.co.uk)

Stephen Fry’s presence is found in a never ending number of genres including television, stage, comedy and many more. Not that this is a bad thing! With a brain the size of a planet and a gentle interviewing manner he is as easy to watch, read or listen to. The Fry chronicles is the follow-up to his first autobiography Moab is my washpot.

Maurice Micklewhite – not a name that shouts film star which is probably why he chose Michael Cain – worked well for him! Born in a poor area of London and with rickets he has achieved much, including two Oscars and a knighthood. The Elephant to Hollywood: the autobiography is a real story of rags to riches.

Nature or nurture? This will always be an on-going discussion. The other Wes More: one name, two fates by author Wes More looks at this from a very human aspect. Two boys with the same name grew up in the same poor community. Why did one have a successful life and the other not? What made the difference?

Read about these interesting lives and others including Joy Cowley, Christopher Isherwood, Deborah Devonshire and Jessica Mitford in November’s Biography Recent Picks.

A life on Gorge River: New Zealand’s remotest family by Robert Long is the biography of a family like none other in New Zealand. Living in a hut two days walk south of Haast in South Westland they have limited contact with the outside world relying on each other and living the life of the earliest pioneers. Their story is unique.

Current New Zealander of the Year Ray Avery tells of his life in Rebel with a cause: the inspiring story of a true Kiwi hero whose can-do attitude is saving lives in the third world. His successes have included affordable cataract operation and incubators for babies. Brought up in an orphanage and running away to live on the streets gives him a unique understanding of those in need.

There have been many biographies of Katherine Mansfield but in Kathleen Jones’ Katherine Mansfield: the story-teller she looks at her illnesses and relationships in a different way. New light is shed on the influence her husband John Middleton Murry had on some of her unpublished works after her death.

Enjoy this mixed bag of New Zealanders’ lives and other biographies including Cleopatra, T. S. Elliot, and Beatrix Potter in this month’s Biography Recent Picks.

Kitty Kelly has written a number of unauthorised biographies of the rich and the famous and her latest is of Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential and powerful women in America. A thumbs-up or thumbs-down from her can make or break a book, a show, a recipe – well anything really. Critics are divided about the accuracy of Kelly’s information but the book Oprah: a biography entered the USA Today’s bestseller list at # 4. Read the book and decide for yourselves.

The rise and rise of Barack Obama has been nothing less than spectacular and his election to the White House is the summit of any politician. This biography by David Remnick The bridge: the life and rise of Barack Obama uses on-the-record interviews with those who knew him well, both his detractors and supporters and Obama himself.

Young romantics: the Shelleys, Bryon and other tangled lives by Daisy Hay follows the history of a group of talented like-minded people in the early 19^th century. Including tales of love, disloyalty, sacrifice and companionship, all of which were played out against a backdrop of politics and passionate literary creativity, this book will change the myth of the romantic poet as a brooding reflective personality.

Enjoy reading about these fascinating people and others including Gandhi, Rupert Thomson, Gervase Phinn, Constance Spry, Christopher Lloyd and Max Hastings in this month’s Biography Recent Picks.

Elizabeth Bard, an American journalist married to a Frenchman, has written a memoir about how she learnt to live and eat in France. Entitled Lunch in Paris: a love story with recipes, she chronicles her progress of learning how to prepare authentic Parisian recipes using the best produce available locally. Even tips from her mother-in-law are in the book – including how to stay slim: drink lots of water and don’t snack!

Instant stardom – does it ever happen? In the case of Susan Boyle it did. Biographer Alice Montgomery has written about the phenomenal rise of this unlikely star in the book Susan Boyle: dreams can come true. Her success has inspired many and given them hope to achieve their own dreams.

Burying the bones: Pearl Buck in China looks at the life of a blonde and blue eyed child being raised in China by American parents. Her father was a Presbyterian missionary bent on converting the locals and was oblivious to the effect his zeal had on the family. Now a bestselling author whose work has been selected for Oprah’s Book Club, Pearl Buck allows Hilary Spurling to record her unique story.

Read about these diverse people and others including Harold Pinter, Victoria and Albert, “the girl on the wall” Jean Baggott, Nancy Cunard and Mark Twain in this month’s Biography Recent Picks.

Friends like these: my worldwide quest to find my best childhood friends, knock on their doors and ask them to come out and play by Danny Wallace is an exercise in whether you can go back and recreate an earlier part of your life. Wallace found an address book with the names of his ten best childhood friends and wondered if the relationship between them was still intact after so many years. His “quest” led him from Berlin to Tokyo, from Sydney to LA. Did they still have things in common? Read and find out.

One of the most appealing books, Little Women has been read worldwide but what is known of the author? The biography by Harriet Reisen of Louisa May Alcott: the woman behind Little Women fills in the gaps. Using journals, letters and reader’s recollections her life-story is told. Early family economic difficulties, frequent moves and poor health were overcome ultimately leading to recognition and financial security.  This is a classic rags-to-riches tale.

Read about these lives and others including J. M. Barrie, Churchill, Paulo Coelho, Harriet Cohen and Che Guevara in this month’s Biography Recent Picks.