Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Well I thought it was good!, 24 Sep 2008
Ok, you either love him or you hate him, and I fall into the former category so I may be biased, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was a humorous and informative account of how Moylesy came to be the 'Saviour of Radio One'. I'm not quite sure what other readers were expecting - but this book just perfectly summed up the Chris Moyles we hear on the radio 5 days a week; funny, sarcastic and VERY honest. It was so 'him' I could almost hear his voice coming off the pages as I read.

There's a brief account of his childhood, where it becomes apparent that he's grown up within a very warm and close family, then the book moves on to relay his journey to Radio One, and interspersed with this are anecdotes and memories of celebrities he's met along the way. Through reading this book I got a glimpse of the man behind the mouth, who I have to say, I like more than ever now.

I know he evokes strong opinions, so if you don't like him don't read this book. If you do then I can't recommend it highly enough.



use as solid fuel, 30 Aug 2008
i generally buy or borrow a book as soon i've finished reading one (thank the lord i borrowed this one)it is utter self promotion,the mans ego is bigger than his wallet (and that is saying something thank you BBC)
this is all self promotion on a huge scale and throughout just screams ME ME ME ME ME I SAVED THE BBC (FFS)
there is a lot of banging on throughout about breasts (don't ask)and thats it really,i'm 42 and i borrowed the book off my step daughter who is 16 so maybe it's a generation thing but i doubt it.........in light of the recent fuel bill hikes i recommend you wait while your local shop has this drivel in its bargain bin buy the lot and burn them to keep warm.....

Below expectation, 11 Jun 2008
An decent autobiography should be insightful and offer a view in to the writer's life. This particular Gospel is rather light on both. I feel that if the style of writing contained more depth then the book may have held my attention more. However, this is definitely aimed at the lowest common denominator and as a result misses the mark. There are some small moments that cause a wry smile, but the essence of what makes Moyles great is lost in translation. Unfortunately it feels like a cash cow.

POOR, 13 May 2008


More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.



The diary of an ego maniac, 20 Mar 2008
I expected this book to be so much more - foolish of me to believe the Moyles self generated hype. From the first page to the last this is purely and simply a declaration by Moyles that he is fantastic and we should all thank god he is alive to bring joy into our lives.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Well I thought it was good!, 24 Sep 2008
Ok, you either love him or you hate him, and I fall into the former category so I may be biased, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was a humorous and informative account of how Moylesy came to be the 'Saviour of Radio One'. I'm not quite sure what other readers were expecting - but this book just perfectly summed up the Chris Moyles we hear on the radio 5 days a week; funny, sarcastic and VERY honest. It was so 'him' I could almost hear his voice coming off the pages as I read.

There's a brief account of his childhood, where it becomes apparent that he's grown up within a very warm and close family, then the book moves on to relay his journey to Radio One, and interspersed with this are anecdotes and memories of celebrities he's met along the way. Through reading this book I got a glimpse of the man behind the mouth, who I have to say, I like more than ever now.

I know he evokes strong opinions, so if you don't like him don't read this book. If you do then I can't recommend it highly enough.



use as solid fuel, 30 Aug 2008
i generally buy or borrow a book as soon i've finished reading one (thank the lord i borrowed this one)it is utter self promotion,the mans ego is bigger than his wallet (and that is saying something thank you BBC)
this is all self promotion on a huge scale and throughout just screams ME ME ME ME ME I SAVED THE BBC (FFS)
there is a lot of banging on throughout about breasts (don't ask)and thats it really,i'm 42 and i borrowed the book off my step daughter who is 16 so maybe it's a generation thing but i doubt it.........in light of the recent fuel bill hikes i recommend you wait while your local shop has this drivel in its bargain bin buy the lot and burn them to keep warm.....

Below expectation, 11 Jun 2008
An decent autobiography should be insightful and offer a view in to the writer's life. This particular Gospel is rather light on both. I feel that if the style of writing contained more depth then the book may have held my attention more. However, this is definitely aimed at the lowest common denominator and as a result misses the mark. There are some small moments that cause a wry smile, but the essence of what makes Moyles great is lost in translation. Unfortunately it feels like a cash cow.

POOR, 13 May 2008


More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.



The diary of an ego maniac, 20 Mar 2008
I expected this book to be so much more - foolish of me to believe the Moyles self generated hype. From the first page to the last this is purely and simply a declaration by Moyles that he is fantastic and we should all thank god he is alive to bring joy into our lives.

A worthwhile addition to the Carry On library, 09 Sep 2008
I'm not a huge Carry On fan, so therefore I've been waiting for a book by a 'safe pair of hands' such as Richard Webber (author of very sensible and interesting studies of Dad's Army and Hancock) to cover this comic phenomenon with a fair degree of critical insight as well as the usual enthusiasm, and I'm not disappointed. Although, personally, I feel the quality of the Carry Ons dipped a bit earlier than Webber suggests, and I find the acting in the later films quite often pretty dire, this book offers a convincing and engaging celebration of what made these films (at their best) so enduringly popular. In-depth material on the actors thesmselves will demand another book, but what is here focusses on the films themselves, and, if you want just one Carry On volume on your shelf, this could well be the one to choose.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Well I thought it was good!, 24 Sep 2008
Ok, you either love him or you hate him, and I fall into the former category so I may be biased, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was a humorous and informative account of how Moylesy came to be the 'Saviour of Radio One'. I'm not quite sure what other readers were expecting - but this book just perfectly summed up the Chris Moyles we hear on the radio 5 days a week; funny, sarcastic and VERY honest. It was so 'him' I could almost hear his voice coming off the pages as I read.

There's a brief account of his childhood, where it becomes apparent that he's grown up within a very warm and close family, then the book moves on to relay his journey to Radio One, and interspersed with this are anecdotes and memories of celebrities he's met along the way. Through reading this book I got a glimpse of the man behind the mouth, who I have to say, I like more than ever now.

I know he evokes strong opinions, so if you don't like him don't read this book. If you do then I can't recommend it highly enough.



use as solid fuel, 30 Aug 2008
i generally buy or borrow a book as soon i've finished reading one (thank the lord i borrowed this one)it is utter self promotion,the mans ego is bigger than his wallet (and that is saying something thank you BBC)
this is all self promotion on a huge scale and throughout just screams ME ME ME ME ME I SAVED THE BBC (FFS)
there is a lot of banging on throughout about breasts (don't ask)and thats it really,i'm 42 and i borrowed the book off my step daughter who is 16 so maybe it's a generation thing but i doubt it.........in light of the recent fuel bill hikes i recommend you wait while your local shop has this drivel in its bargain bin buy the lot and burn them to keep warm.....

Below expectation, 11 Jun 2008
An decent autobiography should be insightful and offer a view in to the writer's life. This particular Gospel is rather light on both. I feel that if the style of writing contained more depth then the book may have held my attention more. However, this is definitely aimed at the lowest common denominator and as a result misses the mark. There are some small moments that cause a wry smile, but the essence of what makes Moyles great is lost in translation. Unfortunately it feels like a cash cow.

POOR, 13 May 2008


More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.



The diary of an ego maniac, 20 Mar 2008
I expected this book to be so much more - foolish of me to believe the Moyles self generated hype. From the first page to the last this is purely and simply a declaration by Moyles that he is fantastic and we should all thank god he is alive to bring joy into our lives.

A worthwhile addition to the Carry On library, 09 Sep 2008
I'm not a huge Carry On fan, so therefore I've been waiting for a book by a 'safe pair of hands' such as Richard Webber (author of very sensible and interesting studies of Dad's Army and Hancock) to cover this comic phenomenon with a fair degree of critical insight as well as the usual enthusiasm, and I'm not disappointed. Although, personally, I feel the quality of the Carry Ons dipped a bit earlier than Webber suggests, and I find the acting in the later films quite often pretty dire, this book offers a convincing and engaging celebration of what made these films (at their best) so enduringly popular. In-depth material on the actors thesmselves will demand another book, but what is here focusses on the films themselves, and, if you want just one Carry On volume on your shelf, this could well be the one to choose.

Very, very poor , 26 Jan 2008
Idiotic, uninformed, arrogant, obnoxious - it's a wonder that a man who's written a book as bad as this could have reached as far as Chris Moyles has done. But that's how it goes. Just because he can talk the talk doesn't mean to say he can write....!

Good God!, 24 Jan 2008
Thin, obnoxious book by a fat obnoxious man. This bloated mess seems to only have a lust for attention and money, and will do anything to get it. Whoever published this tripe should hang their heads in shame, that they would pay someone for the rights to print this. I mean, he confesses himself he put no thought or effort into 'writing' (should read, narrating to someone else), so why should be spend our time and money reading this.

Truly, reading really should be educational, or entertaining, or artistic. This is none of those three, and should never have seen the light of day. It pains me to think of genuine authors, who cannot be published because the market is saturated with this junk.

And it is you, reader, who is responsible, for actually buying this! I can only imagine this sort of guff will appeal to those of 'below average intelligence', like the man himself.

Disappointing Gift, 13 Jan 2008
I bought this as a last minute christmas gift for my husband, thinking that the book would be witty and clever! I admit that I don't listen to Radio One so perhaps I should have known better.

My husband received the book well on christmas morning and was looking forward to commencing his read later on that evening. As planned, he sat with his book and proceeded to digest the first few pages. I asked how it was and he answered "it's ok".

When we went to bed I took the book upstairs so that I myself could have a sneaky read. Well, I have never been so disappointed with a book before! The style of writing was childish and unimaginative with very basic sentences and turned potentially exciting stories into dull and boring tales. It turned out that my husband agreed but didn't initially want to hurt my feelings.

I would say that whoever you are, you should not write a book if you don't have the skills to do so. Perhaps Chris should have had a ghost writer after all?

Absloute rubbish, 20 Nov 2007
This really is appalling garbage. For my sins I used to work in publishing and wasted much of my life reading atrocious bilge. This takes the biscuit. Shame on all involved.

Difficult second book !!!, 14 Nov 2007
More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely (£630,000 according to the Guardian website) for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.

Moyles acts and behaves like an over-weight eleven year old - even employing his own playground bully tactics. He berates his listeners/ readers (especially the ones who phone up), his posse, he regularly annoys the newsreaders, slags off other DJ's and he picks verbal spats with other 'celebrities' who can't answer back.

I realise that he appears to deliver all these things in a knowing, 'ironic' manner but saying 'only kidding' after everything is no excuse for his base behaviour and doesn't set a great example to any kids who are listening. Next time the Daily Mail/Express start banging on about who is responsible for dumbing down Britain I'd personally point them in Moyles' direction.

There is a often heard claim that he is the sweetest person off-air, so why not show it on-air? Maybe the 'real Moyles is funny, inventive and charming. To be honest I don't believe it. The BBC ran an internal survey to judge the stress levels of all of its employees last year and Aled (Chris' personal assistant) scored the highest - what does that tell you about the man? Ho hum.

Chris Moyles is probably one of the worst presenters (and writer) ever, he talks alot crap and plays very little music. Most the time he and his patsies talk about their exciting lifestyles and project how cool it would to be them.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Well I thought it was good!, 24 Sep 2008
Ok, you either love him or you hate him, and I fall into the former category so I may be biased, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was a humorous and informative account of how Moylesy came to be the 'Saviour of Radio One'. I'm not quite sure what other readers were expecting - but this book just perfectly summed up the Chris Moyles we hear on the radio 5 days a week; funny, sarcastic and VERY honest. It was so 'him' I could almost hear his voice coming off the pages as I read.

There's a brief account of his childhood, where it becomes apparent that he's grown up within a very warm and close family, then the book moves on to relay his journey to Radio One, and interspersed with this are anecdotes and memories of celebrities he's met along the way. Through reading this book I got a glimpse of the man behind the mouth, who I have to say, I like more than ever now.

I know he evokes strong opinions, so if you don't like him don't read this book. If you do then I can't recommend it highly enough.



use as solid fuel, 30 Aug 2008
i generally buy or borrow a book as soon i've finished reading one (thank the lord i borrowed this one)it is utter self promotion,the mans ego is bigger than his wallet (and that is saying something thank you BBC)
this is all self promotion on a huge scale and throughout just screams ME ME ME ME ME I SAVED THE BBC (FFS)
there is a lot of banging on throughout about breasts (don't ask)and thats it really,i'm 42 and i borrowed the book off my step daughter who is 16 so maybe it's a generation thing but i doubt it.........in light of the recent fuel bill hikes i recommend you wait while your local shop has this drivel in its bargain bin buy the lot and burn them to keep warm.....

Below expectation, 11 Jun 2008
An decent autobiography should be insightful and offer a view in to the writer's life. This particular Gospel is rather light on both. I feel that if the style of writing contained more depth then the book may have held my attention more. However, this is definitely aimed at the lowest common denominator and as a result misses the mark. There are some small moments that cause a wry smile, but the essence of what makes Moyles great is lost in translation. Unfortunately it feels like a cash cow.

POOR, 13 May 2008


More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.



The diary of an ego maniac, 20 Mar 2008
I expected this book to be so much more - foolish of me to believe the Moyles self generated hype. From the first page to the last this is purely and simply a declaration by Moyles that he is fantastic and we should all thank god he is alive to bring joy into our lives.

A worthwhile addition to the Carry On library, 09 Sep 2008
I'm not a huge Carry On fan, so therefore I've been waiting for a book by a 'safe pair of hands' such as Richard Webber (author of very sensible and interesting studies of Dad's Army and Hancock) to cover this comic phenomenon with a fair degree of critical insight as well as the usual enthusiasm, and I'm not disappointed. Although, personally, I feel the quality of the Carry Ons dipped a bit earlier than Webber suggests, and I find the acting in the later films quite often pretty dire, this book offers a convincing and engaging celebration of what made these films (at their best) so enduringly popular. In-depth material on the actors thesmselves will demand another book, but what is here focusses on the films themselves, and, if you want just one Carry On volume on your shelf, this could well be the one to choose.

Very, very poor , 26 Jan 2008
Idiotic, uninformed, arrogant, obnoxious - it's a wonder that a man who's written a book as bad as this could have reached as far as Chris Moyles has done. But that's how it goes. Just because he can talk the talk doesn't mean to say he can write....!

Good God!, 24 Jan 2008
Thin, obnoxious book by a fat obnoxious man. This bloated mess seems to only have a lust for attention and money, and will do anything to get it. Whoever published this tripe should hang their heads in shame, that they would pay someone for the rights to print this. I mean, he confesses himself he put no thought or effort into 'writing' (should read, narrating to someone else), so why should be spend our time and money reading this.

Truly, reading really should be educational, or entertaining, or artistic. This is none of those three, and should never have seen the light of day. It pains me to think of genuine authors, who cannot be published because the market is saturated with this junk.

And it is you, reader, who is responsible, for actually buying this! I can only imagine this sort of guff will appeal to those of 'below average intelligence', like the man himself.

Disappointing Gift, 13 Jan 2008
I bought this as a last minute christmas gift for my husband, thinking that the book would be witty and clever! I admit that I don't listen to Radio One so perhaps I should have known better.

My husband received the book well on christmas morning and was looking forward to commencing his read later on that evening. As planned, he sat with his book and proceeded to digest the first few pages. I asked how it was and he answered "it's ok".

When we went to bed I took the book upstairs so that I myself could have a sneaky read. Well, I have never been so disappointed with a book before! The style of writing was childish and unimaginative with very basic sentences and turned potentially exciting stories into dull and boring tales. It turned out that my husband agreed but didn't initially want to hurt my feelings.

I would say that whoever you are, you should not write a book if you don't have the skills to do so. Perhaps Chris should have had a ghost writer after all?

Absloute rubbish, 20 Nov 2007
This really is appalling garbage. For my sins I used to work in publishing and wasted much of my life reading atrocious bilge. This takes the biscuit. Shame on all involved.

Difficult second book !!!, 14 Nov 2007
More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely (£630,000 according to the Guardian website) for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.

Moyles acts and behaves like an over-weight eleven year old - even employing his own playground bully tactics. He berates his listeners/ readers (especially the ones who phone up), his posse, he regularly annoys the newsreaders, slags off other DJ's and he picks verbal spats with other 'celebrities' who can't answer back.

I realise that he appears to deliver all these things in a knowing, 'ironic' manner but saying 'only kidding' after everything is no excuse for his base behaviour and doesn't set a great example to any kids who are listening. Next time the Daily Mail/Express start banging on about who is responsible for dumbing down Britain I'd personally point them in Moyles' direction.

There is a often heard claim that he is the sweetest person off-air, so why not show it on-air? Maybe the 'real Moyles is funny, inventive and charming. To be honest I don't believe it. The BBC ran an internal survey to judge the stress levels of all of its employees last year and Aled (Chris' personal assistant) scored the highest - what does that tell you about the man? Ho hum.

Chris Moyles is probably one of the worst presenters (and writer) ever, he talks alot crap and plays very little music. Most the time he and his patsies talk about their exciting lifestyles and project how cool it would to be them.

Frinton Flashers..., 01 Oct 2008
[REVIEW BY "FRANK"]

I will be the first to admit that I am not a reader, but having grown up alongside pirate radio through to Radio 2 Drivetime the common link is Johnnie Walker. My delight at seeing this book released in paperback (why are hardback books so expensive?) prompted a purchase which I can say was worth every penny.

For anyone who was brought up in the 60s this is a brilliant read. Johnnie is brutally honest regarding experiences with alcohol and drugs, which combined with his career, placed an enormous strain on his young family. There are however many brighter moments that I am sure will prompt readers to murmur "I remember him, or that", or more likely "was it really that long ago"!

My overriding impression is of a very genuine person, passionate about music of all styles, who feels broadcasting should still be spontaneous and fun. He writes exactly as he presents, inviting the reader or listener to share in his enjoyment of life, now made even more poignant following his successful battle against cancer.

You will not be disappointed should you purchase this book, especially if you were one of the "Frinton Flashers" ...




Johnnie Brilliantly Recounts The Turbulence Of His Life, 29 Aug 2008
Johnnie Walker has always been a favourite DJ of mine, certainly with regards to his radio personna, his interviewing style, and his choice of music. I certainly haven't been lacking in knowledge of some of the less savoury details with regards to the revelations concerning Johnnie's private life either, but i never thought for one moment his life had been so turbulent as portrayed in this autobiography, and one is tempted upon reading it to see Johnnie from a totally new perspective - he's certainly a far more complex person than his laid back, affable on air personality may suggest, although in saying that that's possibly pretty true of most DJs.

In fact Johnnie's life seems to have been pretty turbulent certainly from very early on, and especially since he took on the role of radio DJ, conventionality and a willingness to cooperate rarely being an option for him, and he does ultimately portray himself as nothing short of an out and out rebel. His constant questioning of authority, especially with regards to his various bosses at numerous radio stations appears to be a recurring theme, in addition to always appearing to take the most drastic measures when not getting his way which was ultimately to walk out of his various jobs. Add to this a suicide attempt, an ill fated period living in the US, the loss of his family through his uncompromising behaviour, in addition to allegations he was a drug pusher and pimp, and within this book there's rarely a dull moment. And just as everything seems to be becoming settled he becomes stricken with cancer!

Actually, there is an enormous sense of clarity in Johnnie's recounting, and despite such drastic events taking place on a regular basis, actually the events are recounted in a very non sensationalised way. In fact the attention to detail throughout, and especially in the section recalling Johnnie's pirate DJ days is so incredibly well written that you can almost live the events taking place back in those days as they happen, the writing being so beautifully effective. It really is a book that's incredibly hard to put down once started on.

However, and despite Johnnie's willingness to make huge sacrifices, what does tend to undermine all the turbulent events taking place, is Johnnie's immense love and dedication to his music, which can never be in doubt.

This all makes for a fabulously addictive read.

The real deal, 17 Jun 2008
I only got really acquainted with JW on the Drivetime Show during my long commute in the early nineties, although I'd heard him sporadically on different stations at various times in the 70's and 80's.

I picked this book up by chance, despite my scepticism of autobiographies by those in the media, because JW always comes across as genuine, honest and ( as an American might say) a `straight shooter'.

I was not disappointed. This was a very enjoyable read.

It filled many of the gaps between those he'd mentioned on air.

It also demonstrates that his intuition, passion for music and willingness to be himself (at all costs!) has paid off through his determination and self-belief.

It's been a rollercoaster ride, but Johnnie's glass is always half-full, and whatever the circumstances, he looks for the positive.

Finally, the photo and his words re: JW at the Palace say it all.

There were tough times, but you get no maudlin thoughts here. But there are some emotional moments, particularly in the recounting of his time on the road with his son, his addiction period, Tiggy's chapter on his cancer, and on leaving R2 .

Overall it's a very touching memoir and comes across as the genuine article. The real deal.

Rock on Johnnie!

Beautifully honest, 04 Nov 2007
I haven't been a long term fan of Johnnie Walker, having been "introduced" to him only fairly recently.

Like all autobiogs, he speaks of his childhood, and I thought, oh no, its another I'm-messed-up-because-my-mum-never-told-me-she-loved-me story. But no, this is more, as Johnnie takes you on a journey of exploration and discovery and maybe he learnt as much about himself as the reader does.

You may not agree with many of his attitudes and tenets. I certainly didn't, but I quickly realised that he is 100% of what he is - and that is rare in any human being, and despite my thoughts, my feelings are of deep admiration for someone who can truly say that they have lived through it all.

You will laugh and cry in all the right places. He doesn't make the mistake of other biographers by dwelling on influences in his life, which just pad out the pages and make you wonder who this book is about anyway. He sticks with the subject of himself. And you hear the other sides of the stories in the newspapers, viz, the Caroline days, 'Arab prince' affair and the reasons behind his many departures from radio shows. And how the scars, even now, are apparent, after the knocks and the cancer.

I truly love this book.

Much more than you realise, 04 Aug 2007
Having known him only as the voice of Radio 2's Drivetime and in short a bloody good DJ I was amazed at reading the 'real' life of Johnnie Walker. I am a 60s and 70s music and entertainment nut and bought this book on a whim principally to get a new first hand account of that era.

I was pleasently surprised by Johnnie's amazing history. The passages concerning his attempts to gain work in the states are probably the best written. Reading of his treks from state to state with his small son reminded me of a classic Hollywood tearjerker just waiting to be filmed.

Candid, in depth and no holds barred, Johnnie isnt afraid to put his hands up to being a prat at times, unlike some authors who take the autobiog route; and his recollections of drug abuse and his inability to be happy are all honest. Likewise his honesty regarding his beliefs and faiths are also refreshing. His fight with cancer is covered well, largely by his wife Tiggy, I sense for the man himself, this is still to raw to fully confront.

If I have one complaint its that a little more may have been covered regarding his showbiz circles, there are several pictures of him hobnobbing with rock stars throughout his varied career yet little tidbits regarding them. But that is all.

In short, an engrossing read, bought on holiday and read in one day.

Probably the last word on "the lad", 14 Nov 2008
This isn't the first account of Tony Hancock's life. Variously his agent/wife Freddie, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams among others have covered his story to one degree or another. The previous "full" account - When the Wind Changed - concentrated more on the scurrilous allegations of Tony's life -but, as John Fisher effectively says in hs preface here, you need to take some of that with a pinch of salt.

I guess we're not likely to have a more definitive biography than this one looking at the wealth of contributions to it. Fisher clearly knows his British comedy, as he pompously keeps telling us, but you are left with a very clear idea of where Hancock's humour came from, the contribution he made and the footprint he left. I'm tempted to say he left a huge shadow but it is clear that it was exactly those sort of puns which represented his dislike - if not loathing - of his self image.

The truth is that he was the best British comic actor of our time but he was fatally unable to simply recopgnise that and luxuriate in the genuine love his audience and colleagues had for him (Sid James comes out of this particularly sympathetically). Fisher brings out very well Hancock's huge intellectual pretensions and the negative impact his ever growing quest for perfection had on his comedy and those around him.

Hancock's alcoholism, mental illness and lapses into violence and abuse are well and responsibly handled by Fisher. Ultimately it leaves you with a real sense of sadness for what Hancock did to himself and what we lost. But there is a huge amount of good to remember and this long (very long)and exhaustive view of the lad and his times is rewarding at all times.

I finished the book and watched a couple of old TV shows straightaway, Brilliance.


The bible of Englishness, 26 Jun 2007
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.


A new landmark in Betjeman studies, 24 Aug 2006
This is the most enjoyable Betjeman book I've ever read - a book that's so good, it ought to be part of the English Literature curriculum. More than that: it ought to be read by everyone applying for British citizenship! In the course of 360 pages, Betjeman plunges you into what he regarded as the major issues of English identity - issues of aesthetics, civic duty, relations with authority, and individuality.

I suppose that all these ideas are contained in Betjeman's poetry, but there one tends to get distracted into noticing rhythm and metre and scansion. And Betjeman's poetic ideas are smaller. Here, although the writing is often lyrical, he addresses topics in a much more direct way. He cares that unvalued townscapes are being destroyed, that there might be collusion between commercial interests and public officials, that the recent past and the middle brow are ignored by modern taste-makers. Especially in his earlier essays, he writes about these issues with passion and yet with a lightness of touch that engages the reader completely. Read this, and you cannot fail to agree that Betjeman stands as one of the foremost spokesmen of the twentieth century.


"Trains and Buttered Toast" (with its beautful cover design by Duff Tollemache) also shows that Betjeman was fascinated by individuals and individuality. He is correspondingly cruel about English stereotypes - the lumpen proletariat who, in the late 1940s, listened to popular music on car radios or went on holiday in luxury coaches. His point, however, is to criticise people's failure to open their eyes, ask original questions and discover fresh beauties - something he sees as the public's sheep instinct. The antidote, he suggests, is to look for inspiration at people who didn't go where everyone else went and who weren't damaged by commercial pressures and mass production. He finds his role models in Victoriana, an age that he regards as rich in the culture of individuality. Many of his talks explore this in its most extreme manifestation - in eccentricity and in provincialism. In fact, among the most entertaining talks in the entire book are those that look at individuals who dedicated themselves to the church. Never before Betjeman was there a literary category devoted to "West of England Victorian hymn-writing vicars". Now there is!

Spread a little happiness. Buy this book - and buy it for your friends. They'll love you for it: it's a total joy.

Discovering Englishness, 20 Jul 2006
This is a most enjoyable read for anyone interested in John Betjman or indeed anyone longing to go back to the times when trains had windows that would open! Stephen Games has skilfully edited talks given out on the BBC during a period of 40+ years. The range of topics, clearly indicating the diversity of the broadcaster, poet and architectual buff (self-taught) range from the wit of Tennyson to the lament of modernism encroaching on metropolitan and rural life, with many interesting talks covered in between. Anyone interest in "how we lived then" should buy this book now.

Betjeman Revisited, 21 Jun 2006
This is a really warm and fond look at British life, taken from Betjeman's radio broadcasts. My favourite was the Eccentrics section, which made me laugh out loud. It reminded me of Bill Bryson's travel guides: Warm, funny and you always learn something new!

Essence of Betjeman, 26 May 2006
This is a terrific selection of Betjeman's radio broadcasts. And it seems to be get to heart of the man's passions, prejudices and, of course, humour. The talk on Tennyson made me laugh out loud. But it's Betj's love of English architecture and way of life that come through so strongly in this collection. Reading the pieces you can almost hear that familiar voice one minute quietly serious and passionate, the next gently poking fun. What a remarkable man he was.

Well I thought it was good!, 24 Sep 2008
Ok, you either love him or you hate him, and I fall into the former category so I may be biased, but I thought this book was fantastic. It was a humorous and informative account of how Moylesy came to be the 'Saviour of Radio One'. I'm not quite sure what other readers were expecting - but this book just perfectly summed up the Chris Moyles we hear on the radio 5 days a week; funny, sarcastic and VERY honest. It was so 'him' I could almost hear his voice coming off the pages as I read.

There's a brief account of his childhood, where it becomes apparent that he's grown up within a very warm and close family, then the book moves on to relay his journey to Radio One, and interspersed with this are anecdotes and memories of celebrities he's met along the way. Through reading this book I got a glimpse of the man behind the mouth, who I have to say, I like more than ever now.

I know he evokes strong opinions, so if you don't like him don't read this book. If you do then I can't recommend it highly enough.



use as solid fuel, 30 Aug 2008
i generally buy or borrow a book as soon i've finished reading one (thank the lord i borrowed this one)it is utter self promotion,the mans ego is bigger than his wallet (and that is saying something thank you BBC)
this is all self promotion on a huge scale and throughout just screams ME ME ME ME ME I SAVED THE BBC (FFS)
there is a lot of banging on throughout about breasts (don't ask)and thats it really,i'm 42 and i borrowed the book off my step daughter who is 16 so maybe it's a generation thing but i doubt it.........in light of the recent fuel bill hikes i recommend you wait while your local shop has this drivel in its bargain bin buy the lot and burn them to keep warm.....

Below expectation, 11 Jun 2008
An decent autobiography should be insightful and offer a view in to the writer's life. This particular Gospel is rather light on both. I feel that if the style of writing contained more depth then the book may have held my attention more. However, this is definitely aimed at the lowest common denominator and as a result misses the mark. There are some small moments that cause a wry smile, but the essence of what makes Moyles great is lost in translation. Unfortunately it feels like a cash cow.

POOR, 13 May 2008


More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.



The diary of an ego maniac, 20 Mar 2008
I expected this book to be so much more - foolish of me to believe the Moyles self generated hype. From the first page to the last this is purely and simply a declaration by Moyles that he is fantastic and we should all thank god he is alive to bring joy into our lives.

A worthwhile addition to the Carry On library, 09 Sep 2008
I'm not a huge Carry On fan, so therefore I've been waiting for a book by a 'safe pair of hands' such as Richard Webber (author of very sensible and interesting studies of Dad's Army and Hancock) to cover this comic phenomenon with a fair degree of critical insight as well as the usual enthusiasm, and I'm not disappointed. Although, personally, I feel the quality of the Carry Ons dipped a bit earlier than Webber suggests, and I find the acting in the later films quite often pretty dire, this book offers a convincing and engaging celebration of what made these films (at their best) so enduringly popular. In-depth material on the actors thesmselves will demand another book, but what is here focusses on the films themselves, and, if you want just one Carry On volume on your shelf, this could well be the one to choose.

Very, very poor , 26 Jan 2008
Idiotic, uninformed, arrogant, obnoxious - it's a wonder that a man who's written a book as bad as this could have reached as far as Chris Moyles has done. But that's how it goes. Just because he can talk the talk doesn't mean to say he can write....!

Good God!, 24 Jan 2008
Thin, obnoxious book by a fat obnoxious man. This bloated mess seems to only have a lust for attention and money, and will do anything to get it. Whoever published this tripe should hang their heads in shame, that they would pay someone for the rights to print this. I mean, he confesses himself he put no thought or effort into 'writing' (should read, narrating to someone else), so why should be spend our time and money reading this.

Truly, reading really should be educational, or entertaining, or artistic. This is none of those three, and should never have seen the light of day. It pains me to think of genuine authors, who cannot be published because the market is saturated with this junk.

And it is you, reader, who is responsible, for actually buying this! I can only imagine this sort of guff will appeal to those of 'below average intelligence', like the man himself.

Disappointing Gift, 13 Jan 2008
I bought this as a last minute christmas gift for my husband, thinking that the book would be witty and clever! I admit that I don't listen to Radio One so perhaps I should have known better.

My husband received the book well on christmas morning and was looking forward to commencing his read later on that evening. As planned, he sat with his book and proceeded to digest the first few pages. I asked how it was and he answered "it's ok".

When we went to bed I took the book upstairs so that I myself could have a sneaky read. Well, I have never been so disappointed with a book before! The style of writing was childish and unimaginative with very basic sentences and turned potentially exciting stories into dull and boring tales. It turned out that my husband agreed but didn't initially want to hurt my feelings.

I would say that whoever you are, you should not write a book if you don't have the skills to do so. Perhaps Chris should have had a ghost writer after all?

Absloute rubbish, 20 Nov 2007
This really is appalling garbage. For my sins I used to work in publishing and wasted much of my life reading atrocious bilge. This takes the biscuit. Shame on all involved.

Difficult second book !!!, 14 Nov 2007
More copy and paste tripe from the man that talks more about less than anyone else on the planet.
It will probably appeal to middle aged men who drive white vans and don't get much attention from members of the opposite sex...
My main dislike of Moyles is that he has possibly the best job in the country, is paid hansomely (£630,000 according to the Guardian website) for it and yet chooses to fill his show (and Books) with a stream of constant drivel. Virtually everything that comes out of his mouth is educationally insulting, irrellevant, immature, uninformed, dull or just downright offensive.

Moyles acts and behaves like an over-weight eleven year old - even employing his own playground bully tactics. He berates his listeners/ readers (especially the ones who phone up), his posse, he regularly annoys the newsreaders, slags off other DJ's and he picks verbal spats with other 'celebrities' who can't answer back.

I realise that he appears to deliver all these things in a knowing, 'ironic' manner but saying 'only kidding' after everything is no excuse for his base behaviour and doesn't set a great example to any kids who are listening. Next time the Daily Mail/Express start banging on about who is responsible for dumbing down Britain I'd personally point them in Moyles' direction.

There is a often heard claim that he is the sweetest person off-air, so why not show it on-air? Maybe the 'real Moyles is funny, inventive and charming. To be honest I don't believe it. The BBC ran an internal survey to judge the stress levels of all of its employees last year and Aled (Chris' personal assistant) scored the highest - what does that tell you about the man? Ho hum.

Chris Moyles is probably one of the worst presenters (and writer) ever, he talks alot crap and plays very little music. Most the time he and his patsies talk about their exciting lifestyles and project how cool it would to be them.

Frinton Flashers..., 01 Oct 2008
[REVIEW BY "FRANK"]

I will be the first to admit that I am not a reader, but having grown up alongside pirate radio through to Radio 2 Drivetime the common link is Johnnie Walker. My delight at seeing this book released in paperback (why are hardback books so expensive?) prompted a purchase which I can say was worth every penny.

For anyone who was brought up in the 60s this is a brilliant read. Johnnie is brutally honest regarding experiences with alcohol and drugs, which combined with his career, placed an enormous strain on his young family. There are however many brighter moments that I am sure will prompt readers to murmur "I remember him, or that", or more likely "was it really that long ago"!

My overriding impression is of a very genuine person, passionate about music of all styles, who feels broadcasting should still be spontaneous and fun. He writes exactly as he presents, inviting the reader or listener to share in his enjoyment of life, now made even more poignant following his successful battle against cancer.

You will not be disappointed should you purchase this book, especially if you were one of the "Frinton Flashers" ...




Johnnie Brilliantly Recounts The Turbulence Of His Life, 29 Aug 2008
Johnnie Walker has always been a favourite DJ of mine, certainly with regards to his radio personna, his interviewing style, and his choice of music. I certainly haven't been lacking in knowledge of some of the less savoury details with regards to the revelations concerning Johnnie's private life either, but i never thought for one moment his life had been so turbulent as portrayed in this autobiography, and one is tempted upon reading it to see Johnnie from a totally new perspective - he's certainly a far more complex person than his laid back, affable on air personality may suggest, although in saying that that's possibly pretty true of most DJs.

In fact Johnnie's life seems to have been pretty turbulent certainly from very early on, and especially since he took on the role of radio DJ, conventionality and a willingness to cooperate rarely being an option for him, and he does ultimately portray himself as nothing short of an out and out rebel. His constant questioning of authority, especially with regards to his various bosses at numerous radio stations appears to be a recurring theme, in addition to always appearing to take the most drastic measures when not getting his way which was ultimately to walk out of his various jobs. Add to this a suicide attempt, an ill fated period living in the US, the loss of his family through his uncompromising behaviour, in addition to allegations he was a drug pusher and pimp, and within this book there's rarely a dull moment. And just as everything seems to be becoming settled he becomes stricken with cancer!

Actually, there is an enormous sense of clarity in Johnnie's recounting, and despite such drastic events taking place on a regular basis, actually the events are recounted in a very non sensationalised way. In fact the attention to detail throughout, and especially in the section recalling Johnnie's pirate DJ days is so incredibly well written that you can almost live the events taking place back in those days as they happen, the writing being so beautifully effective. It really is a book that's incredibly hard to put down once started on.

However, and despite Johnnie's willingness to make huge sacrifices, what does tend to undermine all the turbulent events taking place, is Johnnie's immense love and dedication to his music, which can never be in doubt.

This all makes for a fabulously addictive read.

The real deal, 17 Jun 2008
I only got really acquainted with JW on the Drivetime Show during my long commute in the early nineties, although I'd heard him sporadically on different stations at various times in the 70's and 80's.

I picked this book up by chance, despite my scepticism of autobiographies by those in the media, because JW always comes across as genuine, honest and ( as an American might say) a `straight shooter'.

I was not disappointed. This was a very enjoyable read.

It filled many of the gaps between those he'd mentioned on air.

It also demonstrates that his intuition, passion