Anything Goes: The Autobiography
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Product Description
Review
"Told with real heart . . . a wonderful tale." --"Philadelphia Gay News"
Daily Telegraph, February 2, 2008
A charmingly lurid memoir
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a long-time fan of John, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his autobiography. It seems an age ago that the announcement was first made. In reality, it was only last June. Imagine the lovely surprise then, when I arrived home from work yesterday, and there it was, my copy of the book, a whole week ahead of schedule!
First impressions are good. The front cover has a true-to life photo of John looking natural and very happy. Colour theme is blue and silver - his colours, and very classy.
The book is short - just 245 pages, so no room for wasted words! Many more pictures inside. And a final treat - on the back cover one of him as a boy, one as Captain Jack, and one of him in his bathers!!!!! At that stage, I melted all over the floor.
And so, at 11pm last night, I started to read. And I just HAD to finish in one go. Forgive me if I'm not making sense today; I turned the last page at 4am. I don't ever do well on two hours' sleep, as my family will testify. But maybe adrenaline is keeping me going, or perhaps some of John's legendary energy levels evaporated off the pages and into my brain, because I really don't feel too bad today.
In the introduction, John asks us to imagine that we're sitting in our pyjamas in the lounge of his Cardiff sitting room, sharing a drink, some music and the memories. That's almost an invitation isn't it??????
The book is divided into chapters, each named after a song from some of John's favourite musicals. So themes such as "Being Alive", "Live, Laugh, Love" and "High, Flying Adored" very aptly set the scene for what is to come.
The events described in the book are not arranged in chronological sequence, but as a series of reminiscences. So I found myself travelling, to and fro in time, as the themes developed. Good job Captain Jack is a Time Agent!
The style of the book is witty and intelligent, with just the right blend of content and comedy. I can imagine that John and his sister Carole had much fun and many a laugh whilst writing! I had quite a few laughs myself too.
What a life! John has packed more into his 40 years than many of us would struggle to manage in 400. John's explanation for this is simple, his mother taught him that, "You're a long time dead, son. You can sleep when you're dead." It's hard to imagine that John currently gets any sleep at all.
If the book has a down side, then for me it's that there's very little of John the man. I have seen and heard John many times, met him a few, and follow him in the media, albeit here with a very large shed load of salt. I have therefore heard many of the stories and anecdotes before, and for me there was very little new material. What I had been hoping for from the book was this: a better insight into the beautiful person, inside and out, that John is. His thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions. I didn't get it. The content is very action and event-oriented. I finished the book feeling a tad disappointed that I didn't actually know John the person any better than when I started it.
All in all though, a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. The true value of the book for me is that at last I have this collection of stories direct from John's mouth, and all together in one place. That's worth its weight in gold.
And hey, this is theatre, so it's not all over till the fat lady sings. There's always Act 2, so bring it on, John and Carole!!!!
First impressions are good. The front cover has a true-to life photo of John looking natural and very happy. Colour theme is blue and silver - his colours, and very classy.
The book is short - just 245 pages, so no room for wasted words! Many more pictures inside. And a final treat - on the back cover one of him as a boy, one as Captain Jack, and one of him in his bathers!!!!! At that stage, I melted all over the floor.
And so, at 11pm last night, I started to read. And I just HAD to finish in one go. Forgive me if I'm not making sense today; I turned the last page at 4am. I don't ever do well on two hours' sleep, as my family will testify. But maybe adrenaline is keeping me going, or perhaps some of John's legendary energy levels evaporated off the pages and into my brain, because I really don't feel too bad today.
In the introduction, John asks us to imagine that we're sitting in our pyjamas in the lounge of his Cardiff sitting room, sharing a drink, some music and the memories. That's almost an invitation isn't it??????
The book is divided into chapters, each named after a song from some of John's favourite musicals. So themes such as "Being Alive", "Live, Laugh, Love" and "High, Flying Adored" very aptly set the scene for what is to come.
The events described in the book are not arranged in chronological sequence, but as a series of reminiscences. So I found myself travelling, to and fro in time, as the themes developed. Good job Captain Jack is a Time Agent!
The style of the book is witty and intelligent, with just the right blend of content and comedy. I can imagine that John and his sister Carole had much fun and many a laugh whilst writing! I had quite a few laughs myself too.
What a life! John has packed more into his 40 years than many of us would struggle to manage in 400. John's explanation for this is simple, his mother taught him that, "You're a long time dead, son. You can sleep when you're dead." It's hard to imagine that John currently gets any sleep at all.
If the book has a down side, then for me it's that there's very little of John the man. I have seen and heard John many times, met him a few, and follow him in the media, albeit here with a very large shed load of salt. I have therefore heard many of the stories and anecdotes before, and for me there was very little new material. What I had been hoping for from the book was this: a better insight into the beautiful person, inside and out, that John is. His thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions. I didn't get it. The content is very action and event-oriented. I finished the book feeling a tad disappointed that I didn't actually know John the person any better than when I started it.
All in all though, a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. The true value of the book for me is that at last I have this collection of stories direct from John's mouth, and all together in one place. That's worth its weight in gold.
And hey, this is theatre, so it's not all over till the fat lady sings. There's always Act 2, so bring it on, John and Carole!!!!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I think all the reviews to date have simply voted for or against the man. I think the book is actually more entertaining than the critics state, and less revellatory and angst-wridden than the 5-stars want to see. I think its just a vaguely interesting tale, written honestly and in the main in good humour. Noone can doubt the hardwork and effort that it takes to get all the way from Glasgow to Cardiff via the US and the West End. but in simple, autobiographical terms - it aint up there with the greats. and why should it be - he's a musical theatre leading man who wrote it himself (aided by his sister). nevertheless it IS entertaining and endearing. Its impossible to read this and not like the man and his family. May be in another 10 years, and with a little more depth to all the major areas covered including his west end break and his time on the couch with the good lord, it would rate higher. by the way - buy it for you mum. i guarantee that ALL mums will like it. RC
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Knowing very little about John Barrowman other than his work in Doctor Who and Torchwood, this helped me learn much more about him and his life. I had no idea that he was so cheeky! He really has had an extraordinary life, and he recalls it in such an entertaining fashion. I laughed a lot while reading this. And though it concentrates a LOT on musical theatre - which I know zilch about - it didn't matter. It was entertaining anyway. Too short, though.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
again amazing...
funny... heartfelt, like 'I am Who I Am' a must do read. Although in the spotlight he has never lost where is from and loves his family and keeps them close
Published 2 months ago by Sujw
Great read
This is a great book, never boring, fast moving in a non-chronological format so you never know if your going to get an embarrassing childhood story, awkward teenage moment or a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jedi_Bant
very nice, thank you
Speedy delivery, condition as promised. There was a spot on the "playing side" of the disc that could not be removed, but nothing wrong with the sound. Thanks.
Published 10 months ago by Sheherezade
Heavy going
See Mr Barrowman on TV and he comes over as fun. There is little evidence of this here. What we get is a list, a diary almost, full of the names of the famous he has met. Read more
Published 11 months ago by WM
anything goes
I thought it wasnt as good as his other book I am what I am.
but it was agood book for my holidays.
but it was agood book for my holidays.
Published 17 months ago by michael
started off well....but......
Started well but quickly dropped into the realms of pap , self obsession and name dropping . I learned nothing about the real John . It was an easy read ...I suppose :>{
Published 18 months ago
terrific 2
Equally as good as I am what I am by the same author. Very funny and interesting read.
Published 20 months ago by Anne Drayton
A review by proxy
I bought this book for my wife, so I can't give a first hand opinion, but if my wife's continual chuckles are anything to go by it must be a cracking read. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ez
enjoyable
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I kept giggling while reading.It was very entertaining and well written. I really liked it.
Published 22 months ago by Marja
Book should have been called "ME ME ME"!
I'm so disappointed with this book and the presumably honest picture it paints of John Barrowman as it's written by him and his sister. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Peter J. Regelous
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