- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Ebury Press; First Printing edition (20 Nov 2003)
- ISBN-10: 0091898277
- ISBN-13: 978-0091898274
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.7 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 163,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Heat
"zesty account of his life...it's got all the fun stuff"
Daily Mirror
"It's impossible not to be engrossed...(he)comes across as you'd expect - arrogant, egotistical, opinionated...and totally magnetic"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a bit late to read this book but it was well worth it. You can race through it and and there is a really good mix between the personal life and the business life - and the business part is especially interesting. Simon explains how he really just went for things, often fearlessly. He comes over as a risk taker, which means that however much he might annoy you he has to be admired and probably deserves all his money. Another update after X factor and America has to come out soon I hope.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You don't have to be rude but... is not just about Pop Idol or the Judges. It is about Simon Cowell and the knocks he had to take before he got where he is today. I loved it! Reading this made me realise why he judges wannabees like he does. He went through the very same process in his early years - and look where he is today! Read this book, understand the man and then you will know why he is right to be so acidic about the people who put themselves in his window. They don't have to be there, they choose to be and the knocks can only help them along the way if they have the determination to succeed, as Simon did. I could read this again and it would still be mesmerising. I loved they way this book was written and found it hard to put it down. Read it, absorb it and understand Simon, the Man (not just the Judge)even more.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a new fan of American Idol and as a fan of the irascible and erudite Simon, I just loved this book. It gives an invaluable insight into, not just the contemporary pop music industry, but also what it takes and makes to become a famous and talented pop star. One of the wonderful attributes about Simon is that in hard times has constantly kept his focus and drive, and he has never “sold out” to the industry or compromised his standards. He has spent years honing his skills as an A & R Consultant, and it shows; his skills at picking talent and being able to spot the “X factor” are formidable. I don’t think Simon is actually rude; he just has an acerbic wit, and a wicked sense of humor, which some overly sensitive people may interpret as rude. He really is just brutally honest and candid, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him telling the truth about what he doesn't like. As he often says on American Idol – there are a lot of self-deluded people out there.
The first half of the book is very interesting, as he recounts his childhood in England, his frustrations at having to follow “a normal” career path, his days in the mailroom at EMI records and his efforts to come influential in the recording industry. He talks about the way he first insulted his glamorous mother, criticized of his first grade teacher, and was rather obnoxious to his first employers. The Second half of I Don’t Mean to be Rude… is really an expose on the development of American Idol, from its conception and pitch to the networks in the United States, to the final episodes of season two where Ruben and Clay go head to head.
Throughout the book Simon drops lots of hints about the styles of music he likes and hates, and the singers that he thinks have made a success of their lives, including Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Kylie Minogue etc. This book is nothing but fluff, and I’m glad it isn’t too long. But even though it is fluff, I still enjoyed it. And I would certainly recommend this book if you want to be reminded of some of the greats of British pop music and also for a quite attention-grabbing insider's account of the competitive contemporary music industry.
Michael
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Read.
I really enjoyed this book. It is small, a quite short book but it is very addicting and is hard to put down. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Freddie Shere
Simon Cowell. A genius of the music world...
Say what you want about Simon Cowell, but he earned his money. From his humble beginnings as a mail room boy to his struggle to rise to the top of the music industry all on his own... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MongooseMacQueen
Interesting, honest, hilarious, but drags at the end
I'd heard a fair bit about Simon's life before reading this, but there's still loads in here of interest, all told with humour, honesty and no fear of upsetting fellow celebrities. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Ms. K. J. Hourd
I Don't Mean To Be Rude But.........
I Don't Mean To Be Rude, But...: The Truth about Fame, Fortune and My Life in Music I'm sorry to say I was very disappointed with this book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Catherine O'Hara
Read it in two days
I thought Simon really was rude on xfactor, american idol ... but he was always somehow interesting to me. After i read this book, i became real admirer of him. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Sasa Sladic
Bit of a disappointment.
I'm afraid this book I bought as a present was labelled as boring by the receiver. He called it disappointing and suggested they change the title from..... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ash
Simon Cowell - Is Rude but I love IT
Not as good as I thought it would be. Yes he's rude, yes he's opinionated, yes he's egotistical, but I expected more. A bit dated now as it talks a lot about pop idol. Read more
Published 20 months ago by jola68
Simon unveiled
You did understand Simon better after reading this book and also learn how he worked hard till date. hilarious and rude. but so simon!
Published on 31 May 2010 by Kassandra Owunna
Now.... I don't want to be rude but....
The book was really interesting about Simons life and the way he was brought up, but too much writing about Pop Idol etc..especially in the States.. Read more
Published on 1 May 2010 by Narissa
Funniest book I've ever read!
I think this book is worth of every penny. By reading it you soon get the feeling that Simon Cowell sits next to you and talking to you face to face. Its simply plausible. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Michal Tomcany
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