Nominate a Biography: what authors say
See below for a selection of quotes from biographers. These titles are on display in our Reading Room and can be viewed during normal opening hours.
Tony Peake, author of Derek Jarman
"Most of us, as we live our lives, like to peer over the fence at our neighbours to see how they are faring in theirs. Maybe, we think, they can teach us something we don't know? In essence, this is what biography is about: peering over the fence at a neighbour..."
Ian Freer, author of The Complete Spielberg
"Biogs are invaluable aids as film research for anyone writing seriously about film. They not only offer more information, colour and insight than any magazine or newspaper article, but they also help you to join the dots along a body of work..."
Charles Drazin, author of Korda: Britain's only movie mogul
"When it is done well, biography reveals the complexities of human motivation, thereby providing a vital insight into life... A good biography is a combination of thorough research and empathetic, sensitive interpretation of the subject..."
Kevin Brownlow, author of David Lean: a biography
"Biographies are essential for film researchers because they contain information about films and film people which would never find its way into publicity handouts or critical surveys..."
John Coldstream, author of Dirk Bogarde: the authorised biography
"Most crucial to the biographer is the autobiography - although, as I know at first hand, it must be treated with extreme caution!..."
Piers Paul Reed, author of Alec Guinness: the authorised biography
"Biographies vary in scope and ambition; some are long, detached and fully documented records of the subject's life, others a shorter comment or appreciation coloured by the biographer's own interest..."
Lee Hill, author of A Grand Guy: The Art and Life of Terry Southern
"As a writer, I have found biographies of various film figures essential in my first step to researching a writing project..."
Eve Golden, co-author of The brief, madcap life of Kay Kendall
"Writing a biography is like painting a portrait: you not only have to show all the lights and darks, but 'the time and the place' as well as 'the girl'..."
