| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Bill Oddie has, putting it nicely, a rather big ego. I'm sure he's aware of the fact and during the course of this book he does tend to deflate his own sense of self importance with some very funny stories and then waxes proud over a lifetime of achievements. To be fair, you don't actually begrudge him boasting of his career highs because a) most of it, impressive as it is, is now lost in the midst of time and b) part of the 'blame' for this is the awful cuddly persona people want to see on 'Springwatch'. It might come as a shock to many that 'cuddly' Bill Oddie has a darker side and is rather messed up by life, despite the successes and general 'cuddliness' which drives him mad.
It's a labyrinthine autobiography, so be warned. And the first half of the book is easily the most interesting where he goes into his troubled family life, his mother's illness and his realtionship (or lack of) with her. It also springs to life, and at times is painfully honest, when Bill starts talking about his depression. I, for one, did not realise that he only started having to deal with it in his sixties. And as somebody who has a similar experience of depression, reading the story of his attempt to deliver a simple lecture and going to pieces made uncomfortable reading, but that's how it is. And the best thing about this book is that it is honest to the bone. It's not about seeking sympathy or having a shoulder to cry on, for Bill it's all about stating the case. 'This is what happened and this is how I'm dealing with it.'
Parts of the book are a bit of a drag though. The 'interview' sections are a little self indulgent and he does have a habit of saying something four times when once would be enough! Oh and if you're easily offended - BE WARNED - Bill does drop the odd four letter word here and there. If you thought the 'horny stag beetle' incident on BBC 2's 'Springwatch' was a shocking, lewd and pornographic blasphemy against taste, you'd best not read this book! He uses 'naughty words'! Eek!
So if you're expecting a celebrity name dropping fest of 'Goody' stories and the like, you'd better give it a miss. If you're up for being annoyed, frustrated, moved, humoured and entertained then grab a copy. It's well worth it. And there's no bloody cuddly animals in it at all.
It's a labyrinthine autobiography, so be warned. And the first half of the book is easily the most interesting where he goes into his troubled family life, his mother's illness and his realtionship (or lack of) with her. It also springs to life, and at times is painfully honest, when Bill starts talking about his depression. I, for one, did not realise that he only started having to deal with it in his sixties. And as somebody who has a similar experience of depression, reading the story of his attempt to deliver a simple lecture and going to pieces made uncomfortable reading, but that's how it is. And the best thing about this book is that it is honest to the bone. It's not about seeking sympathy or having a shoulder to cry on, for Bill it's all about stating the case. 'This is what happened and this is how I'm dealing with it.'
Parts of the book are a bit of a drag though. The 'interview' sections are a little self indulgent and he does have a habit of saying something four times when once would be enough! Oh and if you're easily offended - BE WARNED - Bill does drop the odd four letter word here and there. If you thought the 'horny stag beetle' incident on BBC 2's 'Springwatch' was a shocking, lewd and pornographic blasphemy against taste, you'd best not read this book! He uses 'naughty words'! Eek!
So if you're expecting a celebrity name dropping fest of 'Goody' stories and the like, you'd better give it a miss. If you're up for being annoyed, frustrated, moved, humoured and entertained then grab a copy. It's well worth it. And there's no bloody cuddly animals in it at all.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The title attracted me because I found it really funny and witty. I was interested in this autobiography because I have been living with a bi-polar man for 4 years - but I realise that people are too different - the destinies are not comparable - Bill Oddie could help himself, and I think everybody who has to deal with bi-polar people can find something helpful in his autobiography. I enjoyed the book!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having read the three reviews of this book, I felt moved to write from my point of view. I have been a fan of Oddie for many years, through the Goodies, I'm sorry I'll Read that Again, and all the wildlife. I read this book over two days, and could hardly put it down. Yes, he does come over as opinionated, but who wouldn't after the life he's led? This is an honest account of a man who clearly adores his family, and has dealt with an incredibly difficult childhood.
The Goodies have been covered in great detail in other books, as have Spring/Autumn watch, this book is about the man. It is his autobiography, and is about him. Although he states that he doesn't want to be known as a celebrity depressive, his account of his depression is both moving and inspirational. Mental health is still a taboo, and every time someone is brave enough to discuss it, I cannot help but to cheer them on.
The Goodies have been covered in great detail in other books, as have Spring/Autumn watch, this book is about the man. It is his autobiography, and is about him. Although he states that he doesn't want to be known as a celebrity depressive, his account of his depression is both moving and inspirational. Mental health is still a taboo, and every time someone is brave enough to discuss it, I cannot help but to cheer them on.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Boring Boring Boring!
It pains me to say this, but this is one of the dullest books I have ever read. Sorry Bill, but it really is. Read more
Published 19 months ago by A. R. Tyte
One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg
I enjoyed the book , its a bit quirky and very much as I expect Bill Oddie really is and because I am a similar age to Bill Oddie some of his reminiscences are strangely familiar... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2009 by Minder
Underwhelming book about someone who should have told a better story.
One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg
I used to be a fan of Bill Oddie, I remember the Goodies from childhood and now enjoy watching Springwatch, but since reading this book I don't... Read more
I used to be a fan of Bill Oddie, I remember the Goodies from childhood and now enjoy watching Springwatch, but since reading this book I don't... Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2009 by Clare Topping
an odd kind of book
An odd kind of book from an odd little man. I am hugely not a Bill Oddie fan, never watched the Goodies and find that his ego-based facetiousness gets in the way on Nature Watch. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2008 by Mungo
Autbiography-Bill Oddie
One Flew into the Cuckoo's EggA few years ago I listened to Bill give his presentation `Follow that Bird`-it was interesting,informative and humorous;altogether enjoyable without... Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2008 by R. Edwards
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
