Bruce Forsyth has been a regular guest in British living rooms since the dawn of the television age as we know it. As king of comedy and light entertainment, his appearances are part-ringmaster, part-showman, hugely professional, highly polished and practised to each perfect ad lib. While we are used to such a staged, two dimensional knowledge of Forsyth, it is refreshing to see him from behind the slap 'n' tickle veneer of the consummate performer. Bruce: The Autobiography is a fair-paced chronicle of a public figure now well into his 70s. As such, its remit is, to some extent, predictable; middle-class life in Edmonton, North London, then evacuation, the war years, and on to the theatre-land world of pier shows and music hall, egged on by an ambition to dance like Fred Astaire and later Gene Kelly, before variety show breaks on TV, and finally the honour of a starring role on the small screen. Forsyth's tone is triumphant; his unparalleled success over decades showing with bravado in his storytelling. Young ambition and statesmanlike expectation of his place in the grand scheme of showbiz shine through, and, as with many star biogs, first wives and kids get shorter shrift than those who replace them in later years. Still, the writing is entertaining, and although perhaps unintentional, a little vindictive streak against ex-agents and seaside landladies alike adds-perhaps unintentional-humour, as does his impatience with those with whom he does not quite see eye to eye. Forsyth's career began in the WIndmill Theatre, whose revues included many a woman wearing tassels, so he was well prepared to play alongside many a glamourous Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right hostess, and more prepared (and proud) still to marry a former Miss World. Very much traditionalist in outlook, but with plenty of sparkle in the style which made him famous, Bruce: The Autobiography should delight an older generation of fans who have grown up and older in the comfortable shadow of one of the last true variety performers. [+]

This true story about the love between a spiritual mentor and his pupil has soared to the bestseller list for many reasons. For starters, it reminds us of the affection and gratitude that many of us still feel for the significant mentors of our past. It also plays out a fantasy many of us have entertained: what would it be like to look those people up again, tell them how much they meant to us, maybe even resume the mentorship? And we meet Morrie Schwartz-a one of a kind professor, whom the author describes as looking like a cross between a biblical prophet and Christmas elf. Finally, we are privy to intimate moments of Morrie's final days as he lies dying from a terminal illness. Even on his deathbed, this twinkling-eyed mensch manages to teach us all about living robustly and fully. Kudos to author and acclaimed sports columnist Mitch Albom for telling this universally touching story with such grace and humility. -Gail Hudson.

Bobby Robson is a legend in British football, and his autobiography, Farewell but not Goodbye, is a lively and dramatic picture of a life lived in and for the Beautiful Game. While Robson has been granted almost godlike status in Newcastle and the North East, his career has touched on every aspect of the national sport. The book describes his days as a player for Fulham and West Brom in the 50s and 60s, the 20 England caps he collected over the years and (of course) his spectacularly successful career in management (all 40 years of it); there is no career quite like this in English football. We all know, of course, that sportsmen's autobiographies are customarily written with a little 'hidden assistance', and Paul Hayward's contribution here should not be overlooked. With the latter's subtle help, the opening chapters detailing Robson's childhood and early years in the North-East have a vividness and texture worthy of such writers as John Braine. But most readers will be keen to get to Robson's sporting career, and if they do a little judicious skipping of these early chapters, they can be forgiven. Soon, we're presented with some of the historic sporting achievements which have been part of Robson's stellar career. There is the `Hand of God' story, the ill-starred Paul Gascoigne's emotional breakdowns (which so endeared him to the nation) and the high tension of Robson's squiring the England team through two dramatic World Cups. Too many autobiographies have cheated the reader by drawing a discreet veil over the very things that we most wish to read about - but Robson will have no truck with such mealy-mouthed evasion; for the first time he describes the real story behind his sacking as Newcastle manager in 2004, and his five turbulent years at St James's Park is treated with similar frankness. -Barry Forshaw.