Biographies
43 Products
Discover remarkable real-life stories with biographies at The Works. Offers something for every curious reader, with a range that includes honest autobiographies, celebrity memoirs, and stories from sport, music, history, and beyond. Explore personal accounts of success, challenge, adventure and change, alongside true stories that offer a closer look at the people and experiences behind the headlines. Find a biography that informs, inspires or simply keeps you turning the pages.
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THE PHENOMENAL INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER | TRANSLATED BY INTERNATIONAL BOOKER SHORTLISTEE ANTON HUR PSYCHIATRIST: So how can I help you? ME: I don't know, I'm – what's the word – depressed? Do I have to go into detail? Baek Sehee is a successful young social media director at a publishing house when she begins seeing a psychiatrist about her – what to call it? – depression? She feels persistently low, anxious, endlessly self-doubting, but also highly judgemental of others. She hides her feelings well at work and with friends; adept at performing the calmness, even ease, her lifestyle demands. The effort is exhausting, overwhelming, and keeps her from forming deep relationships. This can't be normal. But if she's so hopeless, why can she always summon a desire for her favourite street food, the hot, spicy rice cake, tteokbokki? Is this just what life is like? Recording her conversations with her psychiatrist over 12 weeks, Baek begins to disentangle the feedback loops, knee-jerk reactions and harmful behaviours that keep her locked in a cycle of self-abuse. Part memoir, part self-help book, I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki is a book to keep close and to reach for in times of darkness. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781526648099 • Author: Baek Sehee • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc • Format: Paperback • Pages: 208 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.6 cm
Enthusiastic trainee farmer Jeremy Clarkson made just £144 in his first year at Diddly Squat Farm. This year he's determined to do better. Not because he now knows what he's doing. But because he's fed up of getting stick from Kaleb. Yet farming continues to be a challenge. For instance... Loading a grain trailer was more demanding than flying an Apache gunship? Cows were more dangerous than motor-racing? It's easier to get planning permission to build a nuclear plant than to turn a barn into a restaurant? Jeremy's always got a plan. Loads of them. Often cunning. Not always greeted with wild enthusiasm by Kaleb and Cheerful Charlie, however... Product Information: • ISBN: 9781405954631 • Author: Jeremy Clarkson • Publisher: Penguin • Format: Paperback • Pages: 240 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 1.5 x 12.9 cm
In this poignant, moving book, Muhammad Ali shares the beliefs he has come to live by and which he has passed on to his children. Some of the wisdom is his own; some comes from the teachings of true Islam, from his spiritual studies, and from people he has met in the course of his extraordinary life. Here, as he recalls his early days as a young warrior in Louisville, Kentucky, and his meteoric rise to fame as Heavyweight Champion of the World, a title he won three times, he tells of the many battles he won and lost, both inside and outside the ring and his conversion to Islam in the 1960s. Now, working tirelessly as a worldwide ambassador for peace, he talks of the damage caused when religion is used to tear people apart, the essential need for unity in this troubled world, and how his faith sustains him on this, the most important journey of his life - the journey to forgiveness and peace. Together with his daughter Hana, in this timely spiritual memoir Ali draws upon his rich reserve of notes, tapes and journals, and writes with compassion, warmth and, of course, humour on how we can liberate mind, body and spirit when we pursue and embrace the one essential truth - love. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781911754831 • Author: Muhammad Ali & Hana Yasmeen Ali • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback
Revealing the most outrageous secrets and fiercest rivalries, The Mechanic follows Priestley as he travels the world working in the high-octane atmosphere of the F1 pit lane. While the spotlight is most often on the superstar drivers, the mechanics are the guys who make every World Champion, and any mistakes can have critical consequences. However, these highly skilled engineers don't just fine-tune machinery and crunch data through high-spec computers. These boys can seriously let their hair down. Whether it's partying on luxury yachts or photo opportunities aboard gravity-defying aeroplanes, this is a world which thrills on and off the track. This is Formula One, but not like you've seen it before. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781787290631 • Author: Marc 'Elvis' Priestley • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 256 • Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.9 x 1.7 cm
Bear Grylls has always sought out adventure. From childhood escapades to would-record-breaking expeditions, to his infamous survival challenges, Bear has spent a lifetime in the wild. In his autobiography, the global adventurer, Chief Scout and TV presenter reflects on the extraordinary adventures that have shaped his life. Sharing personal stories from his toughest expeditions and capturing the exhilarating reality behind some of the hairiest survival missions, Bear takes readers up mountains and across oceans, through jungles and deserts. Immersing us in the behind-the-scenes action on his celebrated television shows, and with a rare insight into his family life, Bear recounts his most death-defying and life-defining moments. Packed with deeply personal and wildly entertaining tales, Never Give Up is a testament to the value of adventure. It celebrates the power of the wild and what it can teach us, and highlights the importance of courage, kindness and a resilient attitude - a 'never give up spirit' - to navigate the great adventure of life. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781837321001 • Author: Bear Grylls • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 432 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.9 cm
The sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912 is one of the most dramatic stories in maritime history. The largest passenger steamship in the world, fitted with more advanced safety features than any of her rivals, she was proclaimed to be virtually unsinkable. Just how and why the Titanic foundered on such a beautiful April evening is the subject of this fascinating book. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781398879829 • Author: Rupert Matthews • Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Ltd • Format: Paperback
A deeply moving and unforgettable portrait of an ordinary and yet an extraordinary teenage girl. First published over sixty years ago, Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl has reached millions of young people throughout the world. In July 1942, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the occupation, went into hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. Over the next two years Anne vividly describes in her diary the frustrations of living in such close quarters, and her thoughts, feelings and longings as she grows up. Her diary ends abruptly when, in August 1944, they were all betrayed. Product Information: • ISBN: 9780241657959 • Author: Anne Frank • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 372 • Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 2.2 cm
The true and extraordinary story of one of the last surviving women to have worked in codebreaking at both Bletchley Park and the Pentagon. Born in 1923, Charlotte (Betty) Webb MBE, LOH (Legion of Honour) had a ringside seat to history. After graduating from school, she faced the usual limited opportunities for employment on offer to women at the time. However, with the war in full swing, fate intervened and in 1941, wanting to play her part in the war effort, Betty joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (Women’s Army). After being interviewed by an intelligence officer, she found herself at Euston station with her kit-bag, a travel warrant in her pocket and instructions to get off the train at Bletchley Park. Between 1941 and 1945 Betty played a vital role in the top-secret efforts being made to decipher the secret communications of the Germans and later the Japanese. In 1945, as other members of the forces returned home from the war in Europe, she was sent to the Pentagon and was in Washington DC when the atomic bombs fell and when Eisenhower announced the end of the war. Betty was unable to reveal the true nature of her work, even to her parents, until years later. Visit the fascinating key moments of Betty's life as she recounts the incredible stories from her time at Bletchley Park. Betty died in 2025, at the age of 101. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781914902321 • Author: Betty Webb • Publisher: Ad Lib • Format: Paperback
A revealing and honest first book from one of the UK's biggest trendsetters and star of the Amazon Prime series Molly-Mae: Behind It All. This is the real Molly-Mae, in her own words. Molly-Mae Hague is no stranger to the limelight, having found fame on TV and online. But behind the polished exterior there is a young woman with a unique story. It's the Molly not everyone gets to see. In Becoming Molly-Mae she unravels herself completely for the first time to open up about how she nurtured her creativity from a young age, took ownership of her body image, battle self-doubt and built a happy life. Along the way she shares the moments, relationships and life lessons that have made her who she is. From the energetic child who loved Irish dancing and pageants, to the teenager holding down a job at Boots whilst building her dreams at fashion school, her journey to Love Island and how she copes with fame today. By sharing these parts of herself, Molly-Mae gives a fresh take on finding beauty and balance in a busy world. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529996166 • Author: Molly-Mae Hague • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 304 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.6 x 1.9 cm
'I'm not past my prime. And neither are you!' Engaging and wise, A Work in Progress will resonate with every middle-aged woman who feels newly invisible, silenced, underestimated or diminished. From knowing our worth, looking ahead with excitement and possibility, and realising that we still have so much to give and enjoy, this is a book that will change lives. Sue Cleaver shares her experiences and life stories, reflects on how they made her feel and what she learned, and offers advice and tips for others who find themselves in similar situations. Are you a chronic overthinker, do you have anxiety, or suffer from self-doubt? Sue has been there, done that, and is still learning from it. Training as a therapist was only the start of her journey of self-discovery and at sixty she feels more empowered to live life to the full than ever before. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781526681300 • Author: Sue Cleaver • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc • Format: Paperback
Every family has its secrets, but some are worse than others. Lynn’s mother wanted the world to see the perfect family. An immaculate house, three well-dressed children and a charming husband. But behind closed doors it was a different story. Abused by her father from when she was just a baby, Lynn would scream for her mother, who ignored the little girl’s cries. Nothing was going to shatter her perfect life. Threatened by their parents, Lynn and her brother never told anyone in fear of being separated, but the trauma of their past followed them throughout their lives, with devastating consequences. Now as Lynn tries to piece together and come to terms with her past as an adult, she discovers she wasn’t the only one with a secret. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529988505 • Author: Toni Maguire & Lynn Murray • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 320 • Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
HMP Wakefield. ‘Monster Mansion’. Hell to be inside. Almost impossible to escape. This prison has seen some of the most infamous prisoners of all time pass through its cells – from Levi Bellfield to Harold Shipman, Ian Huntley and Charles Bronson. Jonathan Levi and Emma French are the perfect authors to give chilling insight into all the terrible men who have served time there. After detailing the shocking truth of life in Britain’s most high-profile psychiatric hospital in their bestselling book Inside Broadmoor, now they will take readers behind bars in this the UK’s most notorious prison. Inside Wakefield Prison will trace its long and intriguing history, from when it was first built in 1594 all the way up to the present day. Today, just over 750 of the country’s most dangerous offenders are kept there, including ‘Hannibal the Cannibal’ Robert Maudsley, notorious killer Jeremy Bamber and former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins. Featuring all the sinister and truly horrifying stories that have emerged from the prison, as well as new unheard tales, this book will fascinate and shock readers on every page. Told with the help of interviews with staff, experts – and even in the words of the prisoners themselves – this is a no-holds-barred journey into the dark. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781789467536 • Author: Jonathan Levi & Emma French • Publisher: Bonnier Books UK Limited • Format: Paperback • Pages: 336 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2cm
Brain: No one's going to buy your book Me: But it's good! My editor says so! Brain: Well she would, wouldn't she... Btw, didn't you leave your hair straighteners on? Me: I can't get into this now, I've got a book description to write Hello! Hayley Morris here. You might have seen me on your feed dressed up as a vagina. People seem to find me quite funny. I'm on a mission to prove once and for all that You. Are. Not. A. Weirdo... Or, maybe, We. Are. All. Weirdos. Yes, you're not the only one whose body does that gross thing you've never even told your mum about. And yes, we're all walking around saying embarrassing things constantly and waking up in a cold sweat at 3am thinking about them. So we might as well have a laugh about it, right? In this book, I've overthought absolutely everything so that you don't have to. I'm going to be talking about everything from dating to discharge, mental health to menstrual cups. I might not be able to banish your anxiety or make you feel 100% comfortable in your skin but I hope I can at least give you a break from the constant brain chatter and we can have a giggle about it together. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781804965214 • Author: Hayley Morris • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback • Pages: 304 • Dimensions: 19.7 x 13 x 2.2 cm
Why are Scotland Yard murder detectives considered among the finest in the world? And why is so little known about how they truly work? Take a look at what lies behind that success with someone who knows. DI Steven Keogh spent over half of his 30-year police career as a Scotland Yard detective, helping to hunt down terrorists and some of the worst murderers in London. Step inside the mind of an investigator in a never-before-seen look into what it takes to catch killers and bring them to justice. In a journey from crime scene to trial, you will witness the emotional highs and lows of cracking real-life murder cases and discover why people kill, while debunking the myths that surround this detective work. Are you ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about the world of murder investigations? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781789466423 • Author: Steven Keogh • Publisher: John Blake • Format: Paperback • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 2cm
Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years is terminally ill, the couple lose their home and their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. They have almost no money for food or shelter and must carry only the essentials for survival on their backs as they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter, and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey. The Salt Path is an unflinchingly honest, inspiring and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt, and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways Product Information: • ISBN: 9781405937184 • Author: Raynor Winn • Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd • Format: Paperback
Full of fascinating anecdotes of murder, mystery and occasional mayhem, ex Chief Crime Correspondent Jeff Edwards reveals the details of cases that will grip readers from start to finish. The Murder Guy is an action-packed ride through some of the biggest cases from the 1970s to recent years. It tackles everything from the search for the 'Mardi Gra' bombers to Chechen hitmen, from the murder of PC Stephen Tibble to the inside track on Heathrow Airport's biggest crimes of all time, and the unsolved murders of three young women still baffling Scotland Yard With unrivalled access, Jeff takes readers on a journey to explain what really goes on behind the headlines. It is sprinkled with funny stories about his relationships with cops, bank robbers and serial killers, as well as world changing events. Jeff Edwards became the Daily Mirror Chief Crime Correspondent after starting out in local papers in the East End of London in the 1960’s and 70’s. Now retired, he is ready to share the true stories behind some of the most high-profile crimes in Britain. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781917439794 • Author: Jeff Edwards • Publisher: Mirror Books Macmillan • Format: Paperback • Pages: 288
Diego's Story is the thirteenth instalment in the popular Thrown Away Children paperback series. Diego and his siblings live in desperate poverty, but nobody seems to notice or care as they come close to starving, scouring food banks to survive. But he’s wrong – someone has noticed him. County Lines gang members can see his vulnerability. With an absent father, alcoholic mother and dependent young siblings, Diego is the perfect mark. Entrapped, used, abused and witness to terrible crimes, young Diego escapes a murder scene and runs. Experienced foster carer Louise Allen steps in when 14-year-old Diego is placed with her. Can she help him overcome his disturbing past and finally feel safe again? And what will happen if the County Lines gang finds him – with Louise and her family? Product Information: • ISBN: 9781917439732 • Author: Louise Allen • Publisher: Ad Lib • Format: Paperback • Pages: 288 • Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 3 cm
'HI, MY NAME IS MATTHEW, although you may know me by my full name. My friends call me Matty.' So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who travelled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us . . . and so much more. In an extraordinary story that only he could tell - and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it - Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he's found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humour, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fuelled it despite seemingly having it all. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781472295972 • Author: Matthew Perry • Publisher: Hachette UK • Format: Paperback
'I am a survivor. That comes with a survivor's obligation to represent one and half million Jewish children murdered by the Nazis. They cannot speak. So I must speak on their behalf.' Tova Friedman was one of the youngest people to emerge from Auschwitz. After surviving the liquidation of the Jewish ghetto in Central Poland where she lived as a toddler, Tova was four when she and her parents were sent to a Nazi labour camp, and almost six when she and her mother were forced into a packed cattle truck and sent to Auschwitz II, also known as the Birkenau extermination camp, while her father was transported to Dachau. During six months of incarceration in Birkenau, Tova witnessed atrocities that she could never forget, and experienced numerous escapes from death. She is one of a handful of Jews to have entered a gas chamber and lived to tell the tale. As Nazi killing squads roamed Birkenau before abandoning the camp in January 1945, Tova and her mother hid among corpses. After being liberated by the Russians they made their way back to their hometown in Poland. Eventually Tova's father tracked them down and the family was reunited. In The Daughter of Auschwitz, Tova immortalizes what she saw, to keep the story of the Holocaust alive, at a time when it's in danger of fading from memory. She has used those memories that have shaped her life to honour the victims. Written with award-winning former war reporter Malcolm Brabant, this is an extremely important book. Brabant's meticulous research has helped Tova recall her experiences in searing detail. Together they have painstakingly recreated Tova's extraordinary story about the world's worst ever crime. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781529423501 • Author: Tova Friedman & Malcolm Brabant • Publisher: Quercus • Format: Paperback • Pages: 352 • Dimensions: 12.8 x 3 x 19.6 cm
Inside the Mind of Myra Hindley offers a chilling exploration into the psyche of one of Britain's most reviled criminals. This book meticulously dissects the motivations and twisted thought processes that fuelled her horrific involvement in the Moors Murders, also examining the persistent question of whether she was, in some capacity, a victim of Ian Brady's manipulation. True crime writers Tanya Farber and Jeremy Daniel unpick the complex interplay of sadism and calculated control that defined their partnership, revealing why Hindley remains a figure of enduring fascination and revulsion in true crime history. Product Information: • ISBN: 9781802473797 • Author: Tanya Farber & Jeremy Daniel • Publisher: Ad Lib • Format: Paperback • Pages: 240 • Dimensions: 19.81 x 12.9 x 5.08 cm
