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More About the Author
Product Description
Independent on Sunday
‘An all-time rip-roaring read’
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Guardian
‘This intriguing autobiography covers the author's broadcasting life and snapshots from an extraordinary family history…Sergeant is neither self-deprecating nor boastful …'
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reading the other reviews that have been posted here, I have been surprised by people's responses to this book. I found it both interesting and enjoyable as well as very readable. Maybe Sergeant is too lighthearted in his approach to satisfy some people but, in my opinion, his book provides an interesting review of the life of a broadcaster and "newsman" as well as a fascinating insight into the politics and machinations of the BBC. Furthermore, Sergeant's commentary on the politics and foreign affairs that he covered as a broadcaster is both thoughtful and amusing. His rise at the BBC was not without its difficulties, a subject that Sergeant is not shy to discuss in his book but, his ability to laugh at himself is refreshing in a business which has a tendency to take itself a little too seriously.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the politics of the last 30 odd years - but having read the other reviews, perhaps it is only for those who like their politics with some added amusing anecdotes, the odd poke at those in positions of power and a healthy dose of witty comment.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book to read on holiday having seen John Sargeant on Have I got News for you. The book contained some surprises particularly with regard to JS's Russian origins.JS has a very wry sense of humour which shows through in his writing. The book also portrays a man with a strong character as the book reveals that decisions have not always gone in his favour. How JS deals with these setbacks would serve a lesson to many. All in all a very enjoyable read.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This clearly goes against the previous reviews, but...
As I am sure would be the case for anyone considering this autobiography, John Sergeant is a familiar figure through both his news broadcasts and his appearances on some of the most amusing programmes on TV and radio. His contacts, his intelligence and his wit were the reasons why I wanted to read his autobiography.
Unfortunately, there are very few occasions in this book where he is able to offer the insights that one might expect from someone as close to our political masters as he clearly is. Nor, more sadly, are there significant moments where he translates his lively and sophisticated sense of humour into print. He gives the impression that, whilst he could probably have provided greater detail including some degree of 'naming and shaming', to do so would have caused embarrassment and possibly affected his relationship with the contacts on which he relies for his ITN work. And so, the book becomes a series of anecdotes rather than an autobiography with sufficient detail to enthrall the reader.
What is missing is the 'colour' and sense of intimacy that can make an autobiography an enthralling read. All the stories one would expect are related, but without the passion that 'being there' should result in. It may be an unfair comparison, but I am now reading John Simpson's 2nd volume ('A Mad World, My Masters') and this provides a shining example of how it can - and should - be done.
I had high hopes for John Sergeant's autobiography. Unfortunately it fails to deliver. If you share an appreciation for his perspective and sense of humour, I suggest that you continue to follow his career on TV and Radio rather than in print. If you wish to read a fascinating autobiography from someone who has been at many of the main events of the past few decades, and has a skill in relating it to the reader, Simpson outshines Sergeant in all respects.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting insight to the life of a journalist
The appeal of this book for me actually came from Sergeant appearing on Have I Got News For You which made me think he was actually rather funny and certainly his autobiography... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2004 by Darren Simons
A good read, but not brilliant
I read this book, having devoured John Cole's autobiography, hoping to find a similar insight into 20th century politics and the world of the TV journalist. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2003 by Dan Sumption
Lacking in genuine highlights
I do like John Sergeant as a person, as a journalist and and as a quiz show guest. He's also a good reader, as here on the audio CD of his autobiography. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2003 by Gavin Wilson
Bilge
I'm heartilly surprised that the average review of this nonsense is 4 stars. As a book about reporting in the modern era, it leaves a lot to be desired. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2003 by C. Mcallister
Cheap, cheerful and a breeze
I like the brevity and levity of the book. For real political animals I imagine there will be little new information here. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2003 by Bodnotbod
Interesting and amusing
I really enjoyed this book despite not being a huge fan of autobiography. It was interesting to note the author’s previous career in television comedy, as I suspect many... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2003 by S. A. Richmond
Room for Improvement ... ?
Definitely NOT a Rip-roaring read. The first part of Sergeants autobiography left me wondering how he had got into Journalism at all, never mind the heights of the BBC Political... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2003 by P J Baden
Surprisingly dull
The front cover of this book says "An all-time rip-roaring read - Independent of Sunday". I can only say that the IoS must be a very sad place. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2002 by D Simpson
A good insight into BBC political coverage
John Sergeant is a lucid journalist and he narrates his book quite well, I found his writing style excellent and his narrative style pretty good. Read more
Published on 4 May 2002 by Dom KS
Want to read a book you just can't put down?
This book was captivating from the first to the last pages. I was hooked as he described very briefly some of the sites he has seen, and the involvement he has had with world... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2002 by D. Lemin
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