Autobiographies

Why do people write their autobiographies? It is a popular activity these days and it is common for “celebrities” to engage in this fashionable idea. To write an autobiography so early in life that nothing has yet been achieved. Does it set the record straight? To make known the real facts so that earlier judgements people have made need to be reconsidered? Until that time it must involve judgements made through speculation and assumption. And information communicated via the media.

The point here is that most of the 'celebs' (A, B, C... class) assume they have something of interest to communicate by the time they are 25 or so years old. Totally illogical, but as a money making machine it has an explanation. You must take into account that (possibly) what is written is actually there to pander to readers and possibly totally untrue? Who knows? Definitely not the reader. To be sycophantic. To suck up and flatter.

How can you assess accuracy? Be careful about what you read. It might pay you dividends if you don’t buy the book.

Save your money and ignore it.

But

• The remarkable route to truly deserved fame and just reporting on the essentials of that lifetime with something very worthwhile to say. Possibly in their 70s or very much younger, having lived a fascinating life: Sir David Attenborough or Dame Ellen MacArthur.