But it is much more than a set of potted biographies.

But there has to be a special angle, a new insight, something to lift it above being just a potted biography.

She gave Anne potted biographies of all the other patients and told her about her own treatment.

Every person mentioned must have a potted biography.

I wouldn't place much money on potted biography, if I were you.'

For weeks, until he had built up a data bank, most of his conversations had to be interrupted with potted biographies.

But the most satisfying ones illuminate his subject via potted biographies of men and women who are passionate about insects.

Its main purposes are to review the previous English season and to provide detailed career records and potted biographies of current players.

Potted biographies, languages, ethnicity of players.

They were farcically satirical potted biographies in sets of two rhyming couplets.

According to a potted biography published in 1991, he "began his working life as an apprentice on the Harrow Observer.

There you have it-one potted biography."

One by one he was given details of the ten: genotypes, full-face portraits, potted biographies, each file quite frightening in its detail.

He claims he was sacked for being "sarcastic and mean to children" although the potted biography on his website also, in jest, claims:

Other new arrivals are introducing themselves to their next-door neighbours, delivering little potted biographies: subject, place-of-birth, exam grades, favourite band, most traumatic childhood experience.

A small potted biography in the appendix to the anthology explained that this illegitimate child of a Mexican woman and a Spaniard led a fascinating life.

It contained portraits and potted biographies of the leading professionals, a photograph and description of every hole on the course and articles by golfing correspondents.

For such occasions Milton had perfected an immaculate form of rapid-fire introduction in which he would give his guests both their potted biographies and list of credits.

Barry Tuckett drove smoothly and quietly, not contributing to the conversation in the back seat, which wasn't really a conversation but Bernice's potted biography of Billy.

The listing for most clubs includes details of its uniform, officials, playground (sic), year of formation, number of members and, importantly, potted biographies of most players.

That is why eyebrows were raised when the Vatican resorted to Wikipedia when it released potted biographies of 22 new cardinals who were appointed on 6 January.

But when you get down to it, "this is really a potted biography of Vladimir Nabokov, told from an unusual angle" (Michael Dirda, the Washington Post ).

THERE are, the historian Paul Johnson says in his new potted biography, more books about Napoleon than about any other historical figure with the exception of Jesus Christ.

Another potted biography could read: lower-middle-class son of secretary mother Margaret, drifter, failed teacher, failed journalist, failed screenwriter, achieved surprising success with memoir of a football fanatic and loser.

His tone is jokey and familiar, and the potted biographies often read a bit like Cliff's Notes, but more often than not Mr. Geary comes up with neat formulations.