o/t what's the best biography you have ever read?

[Q165]

Somewhere over the rainbow by john McCarthy and Jill morrell. All about his time in captivity and written from both sides, an excellent read.

Very good. 'An Evil Cradling' by Brian Keenan is very worth reading

[Q165]

Not technically an autobiography but the relation of a correspondent's experience in Vietnam. Dispatches, Michael Herr

On the Vietnam theme I would thoroughly recommend 'Matteerhorn' by Karl Marlantes

On the 2WW in the far east (Siege of Kohima), 'Road of Bones' by Fergal Keane

On the war in Rwanda the harrowing 'Seeason of Blood' by Fergal Keane

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ismael Beah

Utterly gripping account of the horrors of the civil war in Sierra Leone, recruited as a soldier as a boy by the very people who murdered his family.

Yes I remember that one. Wasn't there some controversial comments that the facts and dates in the book didn't add up and most of it was "embroidery" ?

[John2]

Yes I remember that one. Wasn't there some controversial comments that the facts and dates in the book didn't add up and most of it was "embroidery" ?

Did you read it?

It is entirely possible that the account of the author is muddled and/or embellished. They were forced to take drugs for much of the experience and were children after all. However it provides a fascinating insight into the methods and experiences these boys faced, whether the dates all match up perfectly or not.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

Did you read it?

It is entirely possible that the account of the author is muddled and/or embellished. They were forced to take drugs for much of the experience and were children after all. However it provides a fascinating insight into the methods and experiences these boys faced, whether the dates all match up perfectly or not.

So I’ll find it in the fiction section then?

[great_fire]

Reminds me of Haley's "Roots", that was presented as fact when it was fiction.

And "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey.

[Monkey46]

Anger is an energy John Lydon, Bobby Robson forget the name of it great read, lovely bloke.

[loyalmiller]

Anger is an energy John Lydon, Bobby Robson forget the name of it great read, lovely bloke.

I've tried twice to read anger is an energy and just can't get into it for some reason.

[John2]

So I’ll find it in the fiction section then?

If you live in a world of black and white where you lack the capacity or compassion to consider the context of a person's experience, sure. That would require the kind of mindset that would completely reject the account of a Jimmy Saville victim because the he didn't visit the place they alledged an abuse took place until 2 years after the year they originally said.